Driving in Israel vs. Serbia: Key Safety Differences
When exploring the road rules in Israel and Serbia, drivers will discover notable distinctions that impact travel safety. Key variations include overtaking regulations, speed limits, and alcohol consumption thresholds, which are stricter in Serbia. Understanding these essential differences ensures a more secure and informed journey in either nation.
Lanes
| Israel | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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'; often with road signs. |
Overtaking: On Right
israel:
Prohibited except for special circumstances like overtaking a vehicle that is turning left.
serbia:
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.
serbia:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Speeds Limits
| Israel | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 80 km/h |
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
israel:
80 km/h
serbia:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
israel:
100-120 km/h
serbia:
120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
israel:
80-100 km/h
serbia:
80 km/h
Signals
| Israel | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Used before green light. | Not used in Serbia |
| 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 | Serbian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with red border | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
israel:
Used before green light.
serbia:
Not used in Serbia
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
israel:
Unnecessary use prohibited; local ordinances apply
serbia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
israel:
Hebrew, Arabic, English; symbols are international
serbia:
Serbian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
israel:
Triangular-shaped with red border
serbia:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Israel | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless a sign permits | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies; check for signs | Varies by city; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
israel:
Prohibited unless a sign permits
serbia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
israel:
Varies; check for signs
serbia:
Varies by city; check for signs
Documentation
| Israel | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit may be required |
| 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 | Mandatory periodic inspections |
| 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
serbia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit may be required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
israel:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
serbia:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
israel:
Annual inspection required; proof may be required
serbia:
Mandatory periodic inspections
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
israel:
Not mandatory but recommended
serbia:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Israel | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
serbia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Israel | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.01% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.01% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used regularly | Common; police regularly perform checks |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines, varies depending on offense | Substantial, varies by severity |
Limits: General Drivers
israel:
0.05%
serbia:
0.03%
Limits: Professional Drivers
israel:
0.01%
serbia:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
israel:
0.01%
serbia:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
israel:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
serbia:
Common; police regularly perform checks
Enforcement: Fines
israel:
Substantial fines, varies depending on offense
serbia:
Substantial, varies by severity
Emergency Services
| Israel | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 100 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Check local numbers | 192 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | 1987 |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
israel:
100
serbia:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
israel:
Check local numbers
serbia:
192
Contact: Roadside Assistance
israel:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
serbia:
1987
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
israel:
Recommended
serbia:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Israel | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial, points on license | Varies; typically €20 to €100, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; heavy fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines issued, points possible | €20 to €40 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines issued, usually high, points on license | €30 to €50 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines issued, points on license | €30 to €50, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible in some cases; usually paid online or by mail | Yes, possible for smaller fines |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 8 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
israel:
Varies; can be substantial, points on license
serbia:
Varies; typically €20 to €100, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
israel:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
serbia:
Varies; heavy fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
israel:
Fines issued, points possible
serbia:
€20 to €40
Common Fines: Phone Use
israel:
Fines issued, usually high, points on license
serbia:
€30 to €50
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
israel:
Fines issued, points on license
serbia:
€30 to €50, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
israel:
Possible in some cases; usually paid online or by mail
serbia:
Yes, possible for smaller fines
Payment: Deadline
israel:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
serbia:
Varies; typically 8 days to pay