Driving Differences: Israel vs. Libya Explained
Discover the essential distinctions in road regulations and safety practices between Israel and Libya. From lane markings and speed limits to alcohol restrictions, this comparison highlights significant contrasts that every traveler should be aware of. Ensuring a secure driving experience abroad starts with understanding these vital differences.
Lanes
| Israel | Libya | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the separation between directions on some roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Marks the centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Prohibited except for special circumstances like overtaking a vehicle that is turning left. | Generally not allowed except when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Not commonly designated. |
| 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. | Not commonly designated. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | Generally not used. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
israel:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
libya:
Marks the separation between directions on some roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
israel:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
libya:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
israel:
Prohibited except for special circumstances like overtaking a vehicle that is turning left.
libya:
Generally not allowed except when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Presence
israel:
Yes
libya:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
israel:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
libya:
Not commonly designated.
Bus Lanes: Markings
israel:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
libya:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
israel:
Yes
libya:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
israel:
Exclusive for bicycles.
libya:
Not commonly designated.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
israel:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
libya:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
israel:
N/A
libya:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
israel:
Yes
libya:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
israel:
Electronic signs display current limits.
libya:
Generally not used.
Speeds Limits
| Israel | Libya | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 90 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 | Generally not used. |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
israel:
30 km/h
libya:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
israel:
80 km/h
libya:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
israel:
80 km/h
libya:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
israel:
100-120 km/h
libya:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
israel:
100 km/h
libya:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
israel:
80-100 km/h
libya:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
israel:
Yes
libya:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
israel:
Electronic signs display current limits
libya:
Generally not used.
Signals
| Israel | Libya | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles. |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Used before green light. | Not used in Libya |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use prohibited; local ordinances apply | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Hebrew, Arabic, English; symbols are international | Arabic |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with red border | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
israel:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
libya:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles.
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
israel:
Used before green light.
libya:
Not used in Libya
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
israel:
Unnecessary use prohibited; local ordinances apply
libya:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
israel:
Hebrew, Arabic, English; symbols are international
libya:
Arabic
Traffic Signs: Warning
israel:
Triangular-shaped with red border
libya:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Israel | Libya | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless a sign permits | Generally not allowed unless specified |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies; check for signs | Varies by locality; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
israel:
Prohibited unless a sign permits
libya:
Generally not allowed unless specified
U- Turns Allowed
israel:
Varies; check for signs
libya:
Varies by locality; check for signs
Documentation
| Israel | Libya | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required; proof may be required | Required for registration and periodically thereafter |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory but recommended | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
israel:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
libya:
International Driving Permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
israel:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
libya:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
israel:
Annual inspection required; proof may be required
libya:
Required for registration and periodically thereafter
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
israel:
Mandatory
libya:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
israel:
Not mandatory but recommended
libya:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Israel | Libya | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate use compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
israel:
Moderate use compared to some countries
libya:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Israel | Libya | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.01% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.01% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used regularly | Possible; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines, varies depending on offense | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
israel:
0.05%
libya:
0.00%
Limits: Professional Drivers
israel:
0.01%
libya:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
israel:
0.01%
libya:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
israel:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
libya:
Possible; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
israel:
Substantial fines, varies depending on offense
libya:
Varies; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Israel | Libya | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 100 | 193 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Check local numbers | Varies by area |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
israel:
100
libya:
193
Contact: Traffic Police
israel:
Check local numbers
libya:
Varies by area
Contact: Roadside Assistance
israel:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
libya:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
israel:
Mandatory
libya:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Israel | Libya | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial, points on license | Varies; fines based on severity |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines issued, points possible | Fines may apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines issued, usually high, points on license | Fines may apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines issued, points on license | Fines may apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible in some cases; usually paid online or by mail | Possible |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically required within 30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
israel:
Varies; can be substantial, points on license
libya:
Varies; fines based on severity
Common Fines: Alcohol
israel:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
libya:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
israel:
Fines issued, points possible
libya:
Fines may apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
israel:
Fines issued, usually high, points on license
libya:
Fines may apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
israel:
Fines issued, points on license
libya:
Fines may apply
Payment: On The Spot
israel:
Possible in some cases; usually paid online or by mail
libya:
Possible
Payment: Deadline
israel:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
libya:
Varies; typically required within 30 days