Driving Differences: Israel vs. Netherlands Explained
When exploring the driving landscapes of Israel and the Netherlands, it's essential to understand their distinct regulations and practices. Key variations include lane markings, speed limits, and alcohol allowances. This guide illuminates the unique road rules and ensures a safer journey, whether navigating bustling cities or serene highways in these two diverse nations.
Lanes
| Israel | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Not commonly used in the Netherlands, replaced by solid white lines on the road edges. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Not typically used; centerlines are usually white. |
| 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: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS', 'LIJNBUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and often distinct red coloring. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
israel:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
netherlands:
Not commonly used in the Netherlands, replaced by solid white lines on the road edges.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
israel:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
netherlands:
Not typically used; centerlines are usually white.
Overtaking: On Right
israel:
Prohibited except for special circumstances like overtaking a vehicle that is turning left.
netherlands:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Markings
israel:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
netherlands:
Labeled 'BUS', 'LIJNBUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
israel:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
netherlands:
Bicycle symbols and often distinct red coloring.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
israel:
N/A
netherlands:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Israel | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 100-130 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes, but fines are often mailed after citation |
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
israel:
100-120 km/h
netherlands:
100-130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
israel:
100 km/h
netherlands:
80-100 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
israel:
Yes
netherlands:
Yes, but fines are often mailed after citation
Signals
| Israel | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Used before green light. | Not used in Netherlands |
| 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 | Dutch; 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.
netherlands:
Not used in Netherlands
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
israel:
Unnecessary use prohibited; local ordinances apply
netherlands:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
israel:
Hebrew, Arabic, English; symbols are international
netherlands:
Dutch; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
israel:
Triangular-shaped with red border
netherlands:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Israel | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless a sign permits | Not allowed unless a green arrow is present |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies; check for signs | Usually prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs |
Right Turn On Red
israel:
Prohibited unless a sign permits
netherlands:
Not allowed unless a green arrow is present
U- Turns Allowed
israel:
Varies; check for signs
netherlands:
Usually prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs
Documentation
| Israel | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit not necessary |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for up to 185 days if accompanied by an International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required; proof may be required | Periodic technical inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | No sticker used; information in vehicle registration |
| 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
netherlands:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not necessary
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
israel:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
netherlands:
Accepted for up to 185 days if accompanied by an International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
israel:
Annual inspection required; proof may be required
netherlands:
Periodic technical inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
israel:
Displayed on windshield
netherlands:
No sticker used; information in vehicle registration
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
israel:
Not mandatory but recommended
netherlands:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Israel | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
netherlands:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Israel | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.01% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.01% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used regularly | Common; checkpoints used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines, varies depending on offense | Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension |
Limits: Professional Drivers
israel:
0.01%
netherlands:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
israel:
0.01%
netherlands:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
israel:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
netherlands:
Common; checkpoints used
Enforcement: Fines
israel:
Substantial fines, varies depending on offense
netherlands:
Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension
Roundabouts
| Israel | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | No signal required unless exiting immediately |
Signaling: Entering
israel:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
netherlands:
No signal required unless exiting immediately
Emergency Services
| Israel | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 100 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Check local numbers | Call 112 for police assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with your insurance provider or ANWB |
Contact: General Emergency
israel:
100
netherlands:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
israel:
Check local numbers
netherlands:
Call 112 for police assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
israel:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
netherlands:
Check with your insurance provider or ANWB
Penalties And Fines
| Israel | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial, points on license | Varies; can be significant, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines issued, points possible | Fines apply, points on license |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines issued, usually high, points on license | Fines apply, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines issued, points on license | Fines apply, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible in some cases; usually paid online or by mail | Possible; fines also typically paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; payment within specified period required |
Common Fines: Speeding
israel:
Varies; can be substantial, points on license
netherlands:
Varies; can be significant, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
israel:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
netherlands:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
israel:
Fines issued, points possible
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
Common Fines: Phone Use
israel:
Fines issued, usually high, points on license
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
israel:
Fines issued, points on license
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
israel:
Possible in some cases; usually paid online or by mail
netherlands:
Possible; fines also typically paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
israel:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
netherlands:
Varies; payment within specified period required