Driving in Israel vs. Portugal: Key Safety Differences
When comparing the road rules of Israel and Portugal, distinct variations emerge that can significantly impact your travel experience. From speed limits and overtaking regulations to documentation requirements and emergency contact numbers, understanding these contrasts is essential for ensuring secure and responsible navigation in either country. Explore how these two nations differ in their approach to driving safety.
Lanes
| Israel | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Prohibited except for special circumstances like overtaking a vehicle that is turning left. | Prohibited. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses and taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. |
Overtaking: On Right
israel:
Prohibited except for special circumstances like overtaking a vehicle that is turning left.
portugal:
Prohibited.
Bus Lanes: Usage
israel:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
portugal:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
israel:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
portugal:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Speeds Limits
| Israel | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Possible |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
israel:
80 km/h
portugal:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
israel:
80 km/h
portugal:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
israel:
100-120 km/h
portugal:
120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
israel:
80-100 km/h
portugal:
90 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
israel:
Yes
portugal:
Possible
Signals
| Israel | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Used before green light. | Not used in Portugal |
| 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 | Portuguese; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with red border | Triangular-shaped with white background and red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
israel:
Used before green light.
portugal:
Not used in Portugal
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
israel:
Unnecessary use prohibited; local ordinances apply
portugal:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
israel:
Hebrew, Arabic, English; symbols are international
portugal:
Portuguese; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
israel:
Triangular-shaped with red border
portugal:
Triangular-shaped with white background and red border
Turns
| Israel | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless a sign permits | Prohibited |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies; check for signs | Allowed at intersections unless signs prohibit |
Right Turn On Red
israel:
Prohibited unless a sign permits
portugal:
Prohibited
U- Turns Allowed
israel:
Varies; check for signs
portugal:
Allowed at intersections unless signs prohibit
Documentation
| Israel | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; no additional permit required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short visits |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required; proof may be required | Periodic inspections required; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory but recommended | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
israel:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
portugal:
Accepted; no additional permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
israel:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
portugal:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short visits
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
israel:
Annual inspection required; proof may be required
portugal:
Periodic inspections required; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
israel:
Displayed on windshield
portugal:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
israel:
Not mandatory but recommended
portugal:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Israel | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
portugal:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Israel | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.01% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.01% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used regularly | Common, especially during holidays |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines, varies depending on offense | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: Professional Drivers
israel:
0.01%
portugal:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
israel:
0.01%
portugal:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
israel:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
portugal:
Common, especially during holidays
Enforcement: Fines
israel:
Substantial fines, varies depending on offense
portugal:
Varies; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Israel | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 100 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Check local numbers | Contact local authorities |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with your insurance provider or ACP |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
israel:
100
portugal:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
israel:
Check local numbers
portugal:
Contact local authorities
Contact: Roadside Assistance
israel:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
portugal:
Check with your insurance provider or ACP
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
israel:
Recommended
portugal:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Israel | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial, points on license | Varies; €60 to €2,500, 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 | €120 to €600 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines issued, usually high, points on license | €240 to €1,200 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines issued, points on license | €120 to €600 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible in some cases; usually paid online or by mail | Possible |
Common Fines: Speeding
israel:
Varies; can be substantial, points on license
portugal:
Varies; €60 to €2,500, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
israel:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
portugal:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
israel:
Fines issued, points possible
portugal:
€120 to €600
Common Fines: Phone Use
israel:
Fines issued, usually high, points on license
portugal:
€240 to €1,200
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
israel:
Fines issued, points on license
portugal:
€120 to €600
Payment: On The Spot
israel:
Possible in some cases; usually paid online or by mail
portugal:
Possible