Driving Differences: Israel vs. Poland Explained
When navigating the roads of Israel and Poland, understanding the unique driving regulations and practices is crucial for a safe journey. Key distinctions include speed limits, lane usage, and alcohol tolerance. For instance, Poland enforces stricter alcohol limits and allows right turns on red under specific conditions, while Israel emphasizes yielding in roundabouts. Stay informed for a secure driving experience abroad!
Lanes
| Israel | Poland | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Used for temporary markings, such as during road works. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Temporary markings; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Prohibited except for special circumstances like overtaking a vehicle that is turning left. | Allowed when the vehicle ahead is turning left or on one-way roads. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses, taxis, and bicycles where specified. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' on the road. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
israel:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
poland:
Used for temporary markings, such as during road works.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
israel:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
poland:
Temporary markings; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
israel:
Prohibited except for special circumstances like overtaking a vehicle that is turning left.
poland:
Allowed when the vehicle ahead is turning left or on one-way roads.
Bus Lanes: Usage
israel:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
poland:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and bicycles where specified.
Bus Lanes: Markings
israel:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
poland:
Labeled 'BUS' on the road.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
israel:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
poland:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
israel:
N/A
poland:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Israel | Poland | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20 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 | 140 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | Electronic signs display current limits. |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation. |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
israel:
30 km/h
poland:
20 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
israel:
80 km/h
poland:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
israel:
80 km/h
poland:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
israel:
100-120 km/h
poland:
140 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
israel:
80-100 km/h
poland:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
israel:
Electronic signs display current limits
poland:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
israel:
Yes
poland:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation.
Signals
| Israel | Poland | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | Signals a change to green is imminent. |
| Use Of Indicators: Mandatory | Yes, for all turns and lane changes | Yes, for all turns and lane changes. |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when exiting. |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only in cases to avoid accidents | Only in cases to avoid accidents. |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use prohibited; local ordinances apply | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply. |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | Fines may apply for misuse | Fines may apply for misuse. |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking. |
| Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage | Not to be used to signal other messages | Not to be used to signal other messages. |
| Hand Signals: Permitted | Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning | Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning. |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected. |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Hebrew, Arabic, English; symbols are international | Polish; symbols are standard. |
| Traffic Signs: Priority | Yield and stop signs must be obeyed | Yield and stop signs must be obeyed. |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with red border | Triangular with red border. |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
israel:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
poland:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles.
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
israel:
Used before green light.
poland:
Signals a change to green is imminent.
Use Of Indicators: Mandatory
israel:
Yes, for all turns and lane changes
poland:
Yes, for all turns and lane changes.
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
israel:
Signal when exiting
poland:
Signal when exiting.
Horn Usage: Allowed
israel:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
poland:
Only in cases to avoid accidents.
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
israel:
Unnecessary use prohibited; local ordinances apply
poland:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply.
Horn Usage: Penalties
israel:
Fines may apply for misuse
poland:
Fines may apply for misuse.
Headlight Flash: Usage
israel:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
poland:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking.
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
israel:
Not to be used to signal other messages
poland:
Not to be used to signal other messages.
Hand Signals: Permitted
israel:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning
poland:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning.
Hand Signals: Common Usage
israel:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
poland:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected.
Traffic Signs: Language
israel:
Hebrew, Arabic, English; symbols are international
poland:
Polish; symbols are standard.
Traffic Signs: Priority
israel:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed
poland:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed.
Traffic Signs: Warning
israel:
Triangular-shaped with red border
poland:
Triangular with red border.
Turns
| Israel | Poland | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless a sign permits | Allowed only if a green arrow is present. |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Permitted unless prohibited by signs. |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies; check for signs | Varies by location; check for signs. |
| Special Turn Lanes | Yes, marked with arrows | Yes, marked with arrows. |
| Overtaking While Turning | Prohibited | Prohibited. |
Right Turn On Red
israel:
Prohibited unless a sign permits
poland:
Allowed only if a green arrow is present.
Left Turn: General
israel:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
poland:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs.
Left Turn: At Intersections
israel:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
poland:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left.
U- Turns Allowed
israel:
Varies; check for signs
poland:
Varies by location; check for signs.
Special Turn Lanes
israel:
Yes, marked with arrows
poland:
Yes, marked with arrows.
Overtaking While Turning
israel:
Prohibited
poland:
Prohibited.
Documentation
| Israel | Poland | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Requirement | Valid driver's license required | Valid driver's license required. |
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended. |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit. |
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | Liability insurance mandatory. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required; proof may be required | Mandatory every year. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on windshield. |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Mandatory. |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory but recommended | Mandatory. |
Driver's License: Requirement
israel:
Valid driver's license required
poland:
Valid driver's license required.
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
israel:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
poland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended.
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
israel:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
poland:
Accepted with International Driving Permit.
Insurance
israel:
Liability insurance mandatory
poland:
Liability insurance mandatory.
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
israel:
Annual inspection required; proof may be required
poland:
Mandatory every year.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
israel:
Displayed on windshield
poland:
Displayed on windshield.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
israel:
Mandatory
poland:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
israel:
Not mandatory but recommended
poland:
Mandatory.
Road Etiquette
| Israel | Poland | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake. |
| Flashing Lights: Misuse | Discouraged, fines may apply | Discouraged, fines may apply. |
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic. |
| Lane Courtesy: Blocking | Discouraged and may be penalized | Discouraged and may be penalized. |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations | Only in emergency situations. |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate use compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries. |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks. |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary. |
| Emergency Vehicles: Awareness | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights. |
Flashing Lights: Usage
israel:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
poland:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake.
Flashing Lights: Misuse
israel:
Discouraged, fines may apply
poland:
Discouraged, fines may apply.
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
israel:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
poland:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic.
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
israel:
Discouraged and may be penalized
poland:
Discouraged and may be penalized.
Use Of Horn: Limited
israel:
Only in emergency situations
poland:
Only in emergency situations.
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
israel:
Moderate use compared to some countries
poland:
Less frequent use compared to some countries.
Pedestrians Priority
israel:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
poland:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks.
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
israel:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
poland:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary.
Emergency Vehicles: Awareness
israel:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights
poland:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights.
Alcohol
| Israel | Poland | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.01% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.01% | 0.00% |
| Zero Tolerance: Drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs. |
| Zero Tolerance: Medications | Check if medication affects driving ability | Check if medication affects driving ability. |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used regularly | Common; checkpoints used frequently. |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines, varies depending on offense | Varies; can be substantial. |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for severe offenses | Possible for severe offenses. |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension. |
Limits: General Drivers
israel:
0.05%
poland:
0.02%
Limits: Professional Drivers
israel:
0.01%
poland:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
israel:
0.01%
poland:
0.00%
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
israel:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
poland:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs.
Zero Tolerance: Medications
israel:
Check if medication affects driving ability
poland:
Check if medication affects driving ability.
Enforcement: Random Checks
israel:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
poland:
Common; checkpoints used frequently.
Enforcement: Fines
israel:
Substantial fines, varies depending on offense
poland:
Varies; can be substantial.
Enforcement: Imprisonment
israel:
Possible for severe offenses
poland:
Possible for severe offenses.
Test Refusal
israel:
Can result in license suspension
poland:
Can result in license suspension.
Roundabouts
| Israel | Poland | |
|---|---|---|
| Priority: Entering | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout. |
| Priority: Inside | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly. |
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal if turning immediately upon entry. |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit. |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for first exit or straight. |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe. |
Priority: Entering
israel:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
poland:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout.
Priority: Inside
israel:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
poland:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly.
Signaling: Entering
israel:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
poland:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry.
Signaling: Exiting
israel:
Signal right when preparing to exit
poland:
Signal right when preparing to exit.
Lane Usage: Right
israel:
Use for first exit or straight
poland:
Use for first exit or straight.
Lane Usage: Left
israel:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
poland:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe.
Emergency Services
| Israel | Poland | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 100 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Check local numbers | 997 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | 981 or through your insurance provider. |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Mandatory. |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory. |
Contact: General Emergency
israel:
100
poland:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
israel:
Check local numbers
poland:
997
Contact: Roadside Assistance
israel:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
poland:
981 or through your insurance provider.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
israel:
Mandatory
poland:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
israel:
Recommended
poland:
Mandatory.
Penalties And Fines
| Israel | Poland | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial, points on license | Varies; can be substantial, often increased for foreign vehicles. |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time. |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines issued, points possible | Mandatory, fines apply. |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines issued, usually high, points on license | Fines apply for use without hands-free device. |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines issued, points on license | Fines and license points apply. |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible in some cases; usually paid online or by mail | Rare; usually paid online or by mail. |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 7-14 days to pay. |
| Foreign Drivers: Fines | Same as residents; must be paid | Same as residents; must be paid. |
| Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment | Possible if fines are not paid | Possible if fines are not paid. |
Common Fines: Speeding
israel:
Varies; can be substantial, points on license
poland:
Varies; can be substantial, often increased for foreign vehicles.
Common Fines: Alcohol
israel:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
poland:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time.
Common Fines: Seat Belts
israel:
Fines issued, points possible
poland:
Mandatory, fines apply.
Common Fines: Phone Use
israel:
Fines issued, usually high, points on license
poland:
Fines apply for use without hands-free device.
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
israel:
Fines issued, points on license
poland:
Fines and license points apply.
Payment: On The Spot
israel:
Possible in some cases; usually paid online or by mail
poland:
Rare; usually paid online or by mail.
Payment: Deadline
israel:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
poland:
Varies; typically 7-14 days to pay.
Foreign Drivers: Fines
israel:
Same as residents; must be paid
poland:
Same as residents; must be paid.
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
israel:
Possible if fines are not paid
poland:
Possible if fines are not paid.