Driving in Israel vs Romania: Key Safety Differences
When navigating the roads of Israel and Romania, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that shape their experiences behind the wheel. From varied speed limits and overtaking rules to the nuances of traffic signals, understanding these contrasts is vital for ensuring a secure journey abroad. Explore the essential driving variations between these two countries to drive with confidence.
Lanes
| Israel | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited, mainly in urban areas |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable |
| 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.
romania:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
israel:
Yes
romania:
Limited, mainly in urban areas
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
israel:
N/A
romania:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
israel:
Yes
romania:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
israel:
Electronic signs display current limits.
romania:
Not commonly used
Speeds Limits
| Israel | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 130 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | Not commonly used |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes, common practice |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
israel:
80 km/h
romania:
90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
israel:
100-120 km/h
romania:
130 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
israel:
80-100 km/h
romania:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
israel:
Yes
romania:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
israel:
Electronic signs display current limits
romania:
Not commonly used
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
israel:
Yes
romania:
Yes, common practice
Signals
| Israel | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Used before green light. | Not used in Romania |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use prohibited; local ordinances apply | Unnecessary use discouraged; restrictions apply in some areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Hebrew, Arabic, English; symbols are international | Romanian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with red border | Triangular-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
israel:
Used before green light.
romania:
Not used in Romania
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
israel:
Unnecessary use prohibited; local ordinances apply
romania:
Unnecessary use discouraged; restrictions apply in some areas
Traffic Signs: Language
israel:
Hebrew, Arabic, English; symbols are international
romania:
Romanian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
israel:
Triangular-shaped with red border
romania:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Israel | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless a sign permits | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies; check for signs | Generally allowed unless signed otherwise |
Right Turn On Red
israel:
Prohibited unless a sign permits
romania:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
israel:
Varies; check for signs
romania:
Generally allowed unless signed otherwise
Documentation
| Israel | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required; proof may be required | Yes, periodic inspections 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
romania:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
israel:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
romania:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
israel:
Annual inspection required; proof may be required
romania:
Yes, periodic inspections required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
israel:
Displayed on windshield
romania:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
israel:
Not mandatory but recommended
romania:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Israel | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate use compared to some countries | Moderate use expected |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
israel:
Moderate use compared to some countries
romania:
Moderate use expected
Alcohol
| Israel | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% to 0.05%; new drivers may have stricter limits |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.01% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.01% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines, varies depending on offense | Considerable fines for offenses |
Limits: General Drivers
israel:
0.05%
romania:
0.00% to 0.05%; new drivers may have stricter limits
Limits: Professional Drivers
israel:
0.01%
romania:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
israel:
0.01%
romania:
0.00%
Enforcement: Fines
israel:
Substantial fines, varies depending on offense
romania:
Considerable fines for offenses
Emergency Services
| Israel | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Call your insurance provider or a local service |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Mandatory; must be carried in the vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory; must be worn when outside the vehicle on the road |
Contact: General Emergency
israel:
100
romania:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
israel:
Check local numbers
romania:
Call 112 for police assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
israel:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
romania:
Call your insurance provider or a local service
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
israel:
Mandatory
romania:
Mandatory; must be carried in the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
israel:
Recommended
romania:
Mandatory; must be worn when outside the vehicle on the road
Penalties And Fines
| Israel | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial, points on license | Varies; fines increase with speed over the limit |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible jail time | Hefty fines and possible license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines issued, points possible | Fine applicable; mandatory for all passengers |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines issued, usually high, points on license | Fines apply; using a phone without a hands-free kit is prohibited |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines issued, points on license | Fines applicable; license points may be added |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible in some cases; usually paid online or by mail | Possible; payment can be immediate or through the bank |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically within 15 to 30 days |
| Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment | Possible if fines are not paid | Possible if fines are not paid or immediate safety concerns exist |
Common Fines: Speeding
israel:
Varies; can be substantial, points on license
romania:
Varies; fines increase with speed over the limit
Common Fines: Alcohol
israel:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
romania:
Hefty fines and possible license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
israel:
Fines issued, points possible
romania:
Fine applicable; mandatory for all passengers
Common Fines: Phone Use
israel:
Fines issued, usually high, points on license
romania:
Fines apply; using a phone without a hands-free kit is prohibited
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
israel:
Fines issued, points on license
romania:
Fines applicable; license points may be added
Payment: On The Spot
israel:
Possible in some cases; usually paid online or by mail
romania:
Possible; payment can be immediate or through the bank
Payment: Deadline
israel:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
romania:
Varies; typically within 15 to 30 days
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
israel:
Possible if fines are not paid
romania:
Possible if fines are not paid or immediate safety concerns exist