Driving Differences: Israel vs. Malaysia Explained
When navigating the roads of Israel and Malaysia, understanding the contrasting driving regulations is essential for a safe journey. Key distinctions include driving sides—right in Israel and left in Malaysia—along with varying speed limits and overtaking rules. This comparison ensures travelers remain informed and secure while exploring new territories.
Lanes
| Israel | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the division between lanes of opposite directions. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Prohibited except for special circumstances like overtaking a vehicle that is turning left. | Yes |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 5 | List length: 4 |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BAS' or 'BUS'; often with road signs. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Driving Side
israel:
Right
malaysia:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
israel:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
malaysia:
Marks the division between lanes of opposite directions.
Overtaking: On Left
israel:
Yes
malaysia:
No
Overtaking: On Right
israel:
Prohibited except for special circumstances like overtaking a vehicle that is turning left.
malaysia:
Yes
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
israel:
List length: 5
malaysia:
List length: 4
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
israel:
Use rightmost lane.
malaysia:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Markings
israel:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
malaysia:
Labeled 'BAS' or 'BUS'; often with road signs.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
israel:
N/A
malaysia:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
israel:
Yes
malaysia:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
israel:
Electronic signs display current limits.
malaysia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Israel | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30-60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 90-110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80-90 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
malaysia:
30-60 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
israel:
80 km/h
malaysia:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
israel:
80 km/h
malaysia:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
israel:
80 km/h
malaysia:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
israel:
100-120 km/h
malaysia:
90-110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
israel:
100 km/h
malaysia:
80-90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
israel:
80-100 km/h
malaysia:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
israel:
Yes
malaysia:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
israel:
Electronic signs display current limits
malaysia:
N/A
Signals
| Israel | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Used before green light. | Not used in Malaysia |
| 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 | Malay and English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
israel:
Used before green light.
malaysia:
Not used in Malaysia
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
israel:
Unnecessary use prohibited; local ordinances apply
malaysia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
israel:
Hebrew, Arabic, English; symbols are international
malaysia:
Malay and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
israel:
Triangular-shaped with red border
malaysia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Israel | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless a sign permits | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
israel:
Prohibited unless a sign permits
malaysia:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
israel:
Varies; check for signs
malaysia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Israel | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required; proof may be required | Required yearly for roadworthiness |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory but recommended | Recommended |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
israel:
Annual inspection required; proof may be required
malaysia:
Required yearly for roadworthiness
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
israel:
Mandatory
malaysia:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
israel:
Not mandatory but recommended
malaysia:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Israel | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate use compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
israel:
Moderate use compared to some countries
malaysia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
israel:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
malaysia:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Israel | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.01% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.01% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used regularly | Common; checkpoints used nationwide |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines, varies depending on offense | Substantial fines |
Limits: General Drivers
israel:
0.05%
malaysia:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
israel:
0.01%
malaysia:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
israel:
0.01%
malaysia:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
israel:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
malaysia:
Common; checkpoints used nationwide
Enforcement: Fines
israel:
Substantial fines, varies depending on offense
malaysia:
Substantial fines
Roundabouts
| Israel | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
israel:
Signal right when preparing to exit
malaysia:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Israel | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 100 | 999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Check local numbers | 999 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with your insurance provider or Motoring Services |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
israel:
100
malaysia:
999
Contact: Traffic Police
israel:
Check local numbers
malaysia:
999
Contact: Roadside Assistance
israel:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
malaysia:
Check with your insurance provider or Motoring Services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
israel:
Mandatory
malaysia:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Israel | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial, points on license | Varies; RM150 and above |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines issued, points possible | RM300, points on license |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines issued, usually high, points on license | RM300, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines issued, points on license | Varies; fines and points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible in some cases; usually paid online or by mail | Yes; can also be paid online or at local stations |
Common Fines: Speeding
israel:
Varies; can be substantial, points on license
malaysia:
Varies; RM150 and above
Common Fines: Alcohol
israel:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
malaysia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
israel:
Fines issued, points possible
malaysia:
RM300, points on license
Common Fines: Phone Use
israel:
Fines issued, usually high, points on license
malaysia:
RM300, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
israel:
Fines issued, points on license
malaysia:
Varies; fines and points on license
Payment: On The Spot
israel:
Possible in some cases; usually paid online or by mail
malaysia:
Yes; can also be paid online or at local stations