Driving in Israel vs. South Africa: Key Differences Unveiled
Discover the essential contrasts between driving in Israel and South Africa, where distinct road conventions shape safety measures and overall travel experiences. From lane usage and speed limits to traffic regulations, understanding these vital disparities can significantly enhance your journey and ensure a secure adventure abroad.
Lanes
| Israel | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the right edge on roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Used to demarcate lanes on certain roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | Allowed |
| Overtaking: On Right | Prohibited except for special circumstances like overtaking a vehicle that is turning left. | Prohibited unless turning. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Driving Side
israel:
Right
south africa:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
israel:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
south africa:
Marks the right edge on roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
israel:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
south africa:
Used to demarcate lanes on certain roads.
Overtaking: On Left
israel:
Yes
south africa:
Allowed
Overtaking: On Right
israel:
Prohibited except for special circumstances like overtaking a vehicle that is turning left.
south africa:
Prohibited unless turning.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
israel:
Use rightmost lane.
south africa:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
israel:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
south africa:
Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings.
Bus Lanes: Markings
israel:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
south africa:
May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
israel:
N/A
south africa:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
israel:
Yes
south africa:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
israel:
Electronic signs display current limits.
south africa:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Israel | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes, common in South Africa |
Urban Areas: Standard
israel:
50 km/h
south africa:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
israel:
30 km/h
south africa:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
israel:
80 km/h
south africa:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
israel:
80 km/h
south africa:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
israel:
80 km/h
south africa:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
israel:
100-120 km/h
south africa:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
israel:
100 km/h
south africa:
100-120 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
israel:
Yes
south africa:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
israel:
Electronic signs display current limits
south africa:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
israel:
Yes
south africa:
Yes, common in South Africa
Signals
| Israel | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Used before green light. | Not used in South Africa |
| 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; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with red border | Triangular shape with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
israel:
Used before green light.
south africa:
Not used in South Africa
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
israel:
Unnecessary use prohibited; local ordinances apply
south africa:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
israel:
Hebrew, Arabic, English; symbols are international
south africa:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
israel:
Triangular-shaped with red border
south africa:
Triangular shape with a red border
Turns
| Israel | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless a sign permits | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies; check for signs | Allowed at designated places; check for signs. |
Right Turn On Red
israel:
Prohibited unless a sign permits
south africa:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
israel:
Varies; check for signs
south africa:
Allowed at designated places; check for signs.
Documentation
| Israel | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required; proof may be required | Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Not applicable |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory but recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
israel:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
israel:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
israel:
Annual inspection required; proof may be required
south africa:
Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
israel:
Displayed on windshield
south africa:
Not applicable
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
israel:
Not mandatory but recommended
south africa:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Israel | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate use compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
israel:
Moderate use compared to some countries
south africa:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
israel:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
south africa:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Israel | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.01% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.01% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used regularly | Common; roadblocks are used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines, varies depending on offense | Substantial; varies based on offense |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and additional fines |
Limits: Professional Drivers
israel:
0.01%
south africa:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
israel:
0.01%
south africa:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
israel:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
south africa:
Common; roadblocks are used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
israel:
Substantial fines, varies depending on offense
south africa:
Substantial; varies based on offense
Test Refusal
israel:
Can result in license suspension
south africa:
Can result in license suspension and additional fines
Roundabouts
| Israel | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
israel:
Signal right when preparing to exit
south africa:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Israel | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 100 | 112 or 10111 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Check local numbers | Call general emergency number |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with your insurance provider or the Automobile Association of South Africa (AASA) |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
israel:
100
south africa:
112 or 10111
Contact: Traffic Police
israel:
Check local numbers
south africa:
Call general emergency number
Contact: Roadside Assistance
israel:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
south africa:
Check with your insurance provider or the Automobile Association of South Africa (AASA)
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
israel:
Recommended
south africa:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Israel | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial, points on license | Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines issued, points possible | Common fine; mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines issued, usually high, points on license | Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines issued, points on license | Fines applicable |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible in some cases; usually paid online or by mail | Yes, common with road checkpoints |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
israel:
Varies; can be substantial, points on license
south africa:
Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed
Common Fines: Alcohol
israel:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
south africa:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
israel:
Fines issued, points possible
south africa:
Common fine; mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
israel:
Fines issued, usually high, points on license
south africa:
Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
israel:
Fines issued, points on license
south africa:
Fines applicable
Payment: On The Spot
israel:
Possible in some cases; usually paid online or by mail
south africa:
Yes, common with road checkpoints
Payment: Deadline
israel:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
south africa:
Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay