Driving in Israel vs. Lebanon: Key Differences Explained
When navigating the roads of Israel and Lebanon, distinct regulations and customs shape the driving experience. Key contrasts include speed limits, lane markings, and the presence of bus lanes. Understanding these variations is vital for a safe journey, ensuring you adapt seamlessly to each country's unique traffic environment.
Lanes
| Israel | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Typically used to mark out zones where parking is prohibited. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Used as a separation line in some areas. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Prohibited except for special circumstances like overtaking a vehicle that is turning left. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
israel:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
lebanon:
Typically used to mark out zones where parking is prohibited.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
israel:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
lebanon:
Used as a separation line in some areas.
Overtaking: On Right
israel:
Prohibited except for special circumstances like overtaking a vehicle that is turning left.
lebanon:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Presence
israel:
Yes
lebanon:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
israel:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
lebanon:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
israel:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
lebanon:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
israel:
Yes
lebanon:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
israel:
Exclusive for bicycles.
lebanon:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
israel:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
lebanon:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
israel:
Yes
lebanon:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
israel:
Electronic signs display current limits.
lebanon:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Israel | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 30-40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | N/A |
Urban Areas: Standard
israel:
50 km/h
lebanon:
40-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
israel:
30 km/h
lebanon:
30-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
israel:
80 km/h
lebanon:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
israel:
80 km/h
lebanon:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
israel:
80 km/h
lebanon:
50-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
israel:
100-120 km/h
lebanon:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
israel:
100 km/h
lebanon:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
israel:
80-100 km/h
lebanon:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
israel:
Yes
lebanon:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
israel:
Electronic signs display current limits
lebanon:
N/A
Signals
| Israel | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Used before green light. | Not used in Lebanon |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use prohibited; local ordinances apply | Avoid unnecessary use in urban areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Hebrew, Arabic, English; symbols are international | Arabic and French; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with red border | Triangle-shaped with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
israel:
Used before green light.
lebanon:
Not used in Lebanon
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
israel:
Signal when exiting
lebanon:
Signal when entering and exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
israel:
Unnecessary use prohibited; local ordinances apply
lebanon:
Avoid unnecessary use in urban areas
Traffic Signs: Language
israel:
Hebrew, Arabic, English; symbols are international
lebanon:
Arabic and French; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
israel:
Triangular-shaped with red border
lebanon:
Triangle-shaped with red borders
Turns
| Israel | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless a sign permits | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
israel:
Prohibited unless a sign permits
lebanon:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
israel:
Varies; check for signs
lebanon:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Israel | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required; proof may be required | Yes, annual inspection required |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory but recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
israel:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
lebanon:
International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
israel:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
lebanon:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
israel:
Annual inspection required; proof may be required
lebanon:
Yes, annual inspection required
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
israel:
Not mandatory but recommended
lebanon:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Israel | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate use compared to some countries | Horn usage is more frequent compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
israel:
Moderate use compared to some countries
lebanon:
Horn usage is more frequent compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
israel:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
lebanon:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Israel | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.01% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.01% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used regularly | Common through checkpoints |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines, varies depending on offense | Substantial for violations |
Limits: Professional Drivers
israel:
0.01%
lebanon:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
israel:
0.01%
lebanon:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
israel:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
lebanon:
Common through checkpoints
Enforcement: Fines
israel:
Substantial fines, varies depending on offense
lebanon:
Substantial for violations
Roundabouts
| Israel | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal when preparing to enter |
Signaling: Entering
israel:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
lebanon:
Signal when preparing to enter
Emergency Services
| Israel | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 100 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Check local numbers | 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Varies; consult your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
israel:
100
lebanon:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
israel:
Check local numbers
lebanon:
112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
israel:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
lebanon:
Varies; consult your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
israel:
Recommended
lebanon:
Not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Israel | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial, points on license | Varies; may lead to substantial fines |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible jail time | Fines and potential incarceration |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines issued, points possible | Mandatory for all passengers |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines issued, usually high, points on license | Fines imposed for mobile use without hands-free |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines issued, points on license | Substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible in some cases; usually paid online or by mail | Possible; often paid at stations |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Usually within 15-30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
israel:
Varies; can be substantial, points on license
lebanon:
Varies; may lead to substantial fines
Common Fines: Alcohol
israel:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
lebanon:
Fines and potential incarceration
Common Fines: Seat Belts
israel:
Fines issued, points possible
lebanon:
Mandatory for all passengers
Common Fines: Phone Use
israel:
Fines issued, usually high, points on license
lebanon:
Fines imposed for mobile use without hands-free
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
israel:
Fines issued, points on license
lebanon:
Substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
israel:
Possible in some cases; usually paid online or by mail
lebanon:
Possible; often paid at stations
Payment: Deadline
israel:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
lebanon:
Usually within 15-30 days