Driving in Israel vs. Spain: Key Differences Explained
Discover the essential disparities in road regulations between Israel and Spain, key for ensuring a safe journey abroad. From speed limits to lane usage, this comparison sheds light on crucial rules that every traveler should know. Understanding these distinctions can significantly enhance your driving experience and promote safety on foreign roads.
Lanes
| Israel | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Prohibited except for special circumstances like overtaking a vehicle that is turning left. | Prohibited unless on a one-way street. |
| 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' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Minimum two or three occupants |
Overtaking: On Right
israel:
Prohibited except for special circumstances like overtaking a vehicle that is turning left.
spain:
Prohibited unless on a one-way street.
Bus Lanes: Usage
israel:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
spain:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
israel:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
spain:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
israel:
No
spain:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
israel:
N/A
spain:
Minimum two or three occupants
Speeds Limits
| Israel | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70-80 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 | Yes, commonly used |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
israel:
30 km/h
spain:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
israel:
80 km/h
spain:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
israel:
80 km/h
spain:
80-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
israel:
80 km/h
spain:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
israel:
100-120 km/h
spain:
120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
israel:
80-100 km/h
spain:
90 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
israel:
Yes
spain:
Yes, commonly used
Signals
| Israel | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Used before green light. | Not used in Spain |
| 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 | Spanish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with red border | Triangular with white background and red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
israel:
Used before green light.
spain:
Not used in Spain
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
israel:
Unnecessary use prohibited; local ordinances apply
spain:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
israel:
Hebrew, Arabic, English; symbols are international
spain:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
israel:
Triangular-shaped with red border
spain:
Triangular with white background and red border
Turns
| Israel | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless a sign permits | Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies; check for signs | Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs. |
Right Turn On Red
israel:
Prohibited unless a sign permits
spain:
Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise
U- Turns Allowed
israel:
Varies; check for signs
spain:
Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs.
Documentation
| Israel | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; must carry license. |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended in conjunction with national license. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required; proof may be required | Yes, periodic inspections required. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on windshield in some areas. |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Mandatory. |
| 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
spain:
Accepted; must carry license.
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
israel:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
spain:
International Driving Permit recommended in conjunction with national license.
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
israel:
Annual inspection required; proof may be required
spain:
Yes, periodic inspections required.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
israel:
Displayed on windshield
spain:
Displayed on windshield in some areas.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
israel:
Mandatory
spain:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
israel:
Not mandatory but recommended
spain:
Mandatory.
Road Etiquette
| Israel | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate use compared to some countries | Used more frequently in urgent situations |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
israel:
Moderate use compared to some countries
spain:
Used more frequently in urgent situations
Alcohol
| Israel | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.01% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.01% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used regularly | Common; checkpoints frequently used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines, varies depending on offense | Severe penalties, including high fines |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in heavy fines and license suspension |
Limits: Professional Drivers
israel:
0.01%
spain:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
israel:
0.01%
spain:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
israel:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
spain:
Common; checkpoints frequently used
Enforcement: Fines
israel:
Substantial fines, varies depending on offense
spain:
Severe penalties, including high fines
Test Refusal
israel:
Can result in license suspension
spain:
Can result in heavy fines and license suspension
Emergency Services
| Israel | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 100 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Check local numbers | Check with local authorities |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Contact your insurance provider or RACE |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
israel:
100
spain:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
israel:
Check local numbers
spain:
Check with local authorities
Contact: Roadside Assistance
israel:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
spain:
Contact your insurance provider or RACE
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
israel:
Recommended
spain:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Israel | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial, points on license | Varies; typically €100 to €600, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible jail time | Severe fines and potential imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines issued, points possible | €200, mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines issued, usually high, points on license | €200, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines issued, points on license | €200, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible in some cases; usually paid online or by mail | Yes; discount if paid promptly. |
Common Fines: Speeding
israel:
Varies; can be substantial, points on license
spain:
Varies; typically €100 to €600, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
israel:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
spain:
Severe fines and potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
israel:
Fines issued, points possible
spain:
€200, mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
israel:
Fines issued, usually high, points on license
spain:
€200, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
israel:
Fines issued, points on license
spain:
€200, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
israel:
Possible in some cases; usually paid online or by mail
spain:
Yes; discount if paid promptly.