Driving Differences: Israel vs. Philippines Explained
When comparing the road regulations of Israel and the Philippines, notable distinctions emerge that impact driving experiences and safety. From speed limits to lane usages, each country presents unique rules. Understanding these nuances is crucial for ensuring a secure journey, especially for travelers venturing into unfamiliar territory.
Lanes
| Israel | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Prohibited except for special circumstances like overtaking a vehicle that is turning left. | Generally not allowed, except on one-way streets. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses and sometimes PUVs. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled with signs; often separated by a bus lane barrier. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Shared with motorcycles or exclusive for bicycles. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Minimum two occupants |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | Not commonly used |
Overtaking: On Right
israel:
Prohibited except for special circumstances like overtaking a vehicle that is turning left.
philippines:
Generally not allowed, except on one-way streets.
Bus Lanes: Usage
israel:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
philippines:
Reserved for buses and sometimes PUVs.
Bus Lanes: Markings
israel:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
philippines:
Labeled with signs; often separated by a bus lane barrier.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
israel:
Exclusive for bicycles.
philippines:
Shared with motorcycles or exclusive for bicycles.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
israel:
No
philippines:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
israel:
N/A
philippines:
Minimum two occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
israel:
Yes
philippines:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
israel:
Electronic signs display current limits.
philippines:
Not commonly used
Speeds Limits
| Israel | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40 kph |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20 kph |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 80 kph |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 70 kph |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 50 kph |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 100 kph |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80 kph |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80 kph |
| Speed Units | km/h | kph |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | Not commonly used |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Less common; fines are usually issued later |
Urban Areas: Standard
israel:
50 km/h
philippines:
40 kph
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
israel:
30 km/h
philippines:
20 kph
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
israel:
80 km/h
philippines:
80 kph
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
israel:
80 km/h
philippines:
70 kph
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
israel:
80 km/h
philippines:
50 kph
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
israel:
100-120 km/h
philippines:
100 kph
Highways: Buses And Vans
israel:
100 km/h
philippines:
80 kph
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
israel:
80-100 km/h
philippines:
80 kph
Speed Units
israel:
km/h
philippines:
kph
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
israel:
Yes
philippines:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
israel:
Electronic signs display current limits
philippines:
Not commonly used
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
israel:
Yes
philippines:
Less common; fines are usually issued later
Signals
| Israel | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Used before green light. | Not used |
| 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 | English and Filipino; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow or white background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
israel:
Used before green light.
philippines:
Not used
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
israel:
Unnecessary use prohibited; local ordinances apply
philippines:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
israel:
Hebrew, Arabic, English; symbols are international
philippines:
English and Filipino; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
israel:
Triangular-shaped with red border
philippines:
Diamond-shaped with yellow or white background
Turns
| Israel | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless a sign permits | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies; check for signs | Common, check for signs indicating restrictions |
Right Turn On Red
israel:
Prohibited unless a sign permits
philippines:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
israel:
Varies; check for signs
philippines:
Common, check for signs indicating restrictions
Documentation
| Israel | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | Compulsory third-party liability insurance mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required; proof may be required | Required for registration; certificate must be displayed |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory but recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Insurance
israel:
Liability insurance mandatory
philippines:
Compulsory third-party liability insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
israel:
Annual inspection required; proof may be required
philippines:
Required for registration; certificate must be displayed
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
israel:
Not mandatory but recommended
philippines:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Road Etiquette
| Israel | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate use compared to some countries | Frequent use in urban areas to alert other road users |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
israel:
Moderate use compared to some countries
philippines:
Frequent use in urban areas to alert other road users
Alcohol
| Israel | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.01% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.01% | 0.05% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used regularly | Common during checkpoints, especially on holidays |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines, varies depending on offense | Severe for violations, may include imprisonment |
Limits: Professional Drivers
israel:
0.01%
philippines:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
israel:
0.01%
philippines:
0.05%
Enforcement: Random Checks
israel:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
philippines:
Common during checkpoints, especially on holidays
Enforcement: Fines
israel:
Substantial fines, varies depending on offense
philippines:
Severe for violations, may include imprisonment
Emergency Services
| Israel | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 100 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Check local numbers | 117 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with your insurance provider or AAA |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
israel:
100
philippines:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
israel:
Check local numbers
philippines:
117
Contact: Roadside Assistance
israel:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
philippines:
Check with your insurance provider or AAA
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
israel:
Recommended
philippines:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Israel | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial, points on license | Varies; typically ranges from PHP 1000 to PHP 2000 |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines issued, points possible | PHP 300 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines issued, usually high, points on license | PHP 1000 to PHP 5000 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines issued, points on license | PHP 1000 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible in some cases; usually paid online or by mail | Less common; typically done through authorized payment centers |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; usually within 15 days upon issuance |
Common Fines: Speeding
israel:
Varies; can be substantial, points on license
philippines:
Varies; typically ranges from PHP 1000 to PHP 2000
Common Fines: Alcohol
israel:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
philippines:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
israel:
Fines issued, points possible
philippines:
PHP 300
Common Fines: Phone Use
israel:
Fines issued, usually high, points on license
philippines:
PHP 1000 to PHP 5000
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
israel:
Fines issued, points on license
philippines:
PHP 1000
Payment: On The Spot
israel:
Possible in some cases; usually paid online or by mail
philippines:
Less common; typically done through authorized payment centers
Payment: Deadline
israel:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
philippines:
Varies; usually within 15 days upon issuance