Driving in Israel vs. Sweden: Key Safety Differences
Explore the distinct driving norms of Israel and Sweden, where safety regulations and road etiquette reveal intriguing contrasts. From lane markings and speed limits to traffic signals and alcohol policies, this comparison highlights the essential variations that can impact your journey abroad. Understanding these nuances is vital for a secure and enjoyable driving experience.
Lanes
| Israel | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the centerline on two-way roads. No crossing. |
| Markings: Double Solid White Line | No crossing in either direction. | Not commonly used; usually dashed if there are restrictions. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Passing permitted when safe; common as centerline on two-way roads. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Prohibited except for special circumstances like overtaking a vehicle that is turning left. | Only allowed in slow-moving traffic lanes or when other vehicles turn left. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses, often accessible to taxis and bicycles. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled with 'BUS'; often indicated by road signs. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
israel:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
sweden:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads. No crossing.
Markings: Double Solid White Line
israel:
No crossing in either direction.
sweden:
Not commonly used; usually dashed if there are restrictions.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
israel:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
sweden:
Passing permitted when safe; common as centerline on two-way roads.
Overtaking: On Right
israel:
Prohibited except for special circumstances like overtaking a vehicle that is turning left.
sweden:
Only allowed in slow-moving traffic lanes or when other vehicles turn left.
Bus Lanes: Usage
israel:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
sweden:
Reserved for buses, often accessible to taxis and bicycles.
Bus Lanes: Markings
israel:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
sweden:
Labeled with 'BUS'; often indicated by road signs.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
israel:
N/A
sweden:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Israel | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 70-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 70-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 90-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 90-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | Electronic signs display current limits. |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Common; fines can be issued directly. |
Urban Areas: Standard
israel:
50 km/h
sweden:
30-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
israel:
80 km/h
sweden:
70-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
israel:
80 km/h
sweden:
70-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
israel:
80 km/h
sweden:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
israel:
100-120 km/h
sweden:
90-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
israel:
100 km/h
sweden:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
israel:
80-100 km/h
sweden:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
israel:
Electronic signs display current limits
sweden:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
israel:
Yes
sweden:
Common; fines can be issued directly.
Signals
| Israel | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1] | Amber | Yellow |
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles | Proceed with caution, give way to pedestrians and other vehicles. |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Used before green light. | Not common in Sweden. |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when exiting. |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use prohibited; local ordinances apply | Use is generally discouraged. |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | Fines may apply for misuse | Fines may apply for misuse. |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking. |
| Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage | Not to be used to signal other messages | Not to be used to signal other messages. |
| Hand Signals: Permitted | Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning | Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning. |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected. |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Hebrew, Arabic, English; symbols are international | Swedish; symbols are standard. |
| Traffic Signs: Priority | Yield and stop signs must be obeyed | Yield and stop signs must be obeyed. |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with red border | Orange diamond-shaped signs warn of danger. |
Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1]
israel:
Amber
sweden:
Yellow
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
israel:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
sweden:
Proceed with caution, give way to pedestrians and other vehicles.
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
israel:
Used before green light.
sweden:
Not common in Sweden.
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
israel:
Signal when exiting
sweden:
Signal when exiting.
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
israel:
Unnecessary use prohibited; local ordinances apply
sweden:
Use is generally discouraged.
Horn Usage: Penalties
israel:
Fines may apply for misuse
sweden:
Fines may apply for misuse.
Headlight Flash: Usage
israel:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
sweden:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking.
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
israel:
Not to be used to signal other messages
sweden:
Not to be used to signal other messages.
Hand Signals: Permitted
israel:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning
sweden:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning.
Hand Signals: Common Usage
israel:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
sweden:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected.
Traffic Signs: Language
israel:
Hebrew, Arabic, English; symbols are international
sweden:
Swedish; symbols are standard.
Traffic Signs: Priority
israel:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed
sweden:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed.
Traffic Signs: Warning
israel:
Triangular-shaped with red border
sweden:
Orange diamond-shaped signs warn of danger.
Turns
| Israel | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless a sign permits | Not generally allowed. |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Permitted unless prohibited by signs. |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies; check for signs | Allowed except where prohibited by signs. |
| Special Turn Lanes | Yes, marked with arrows | Yes, marked with arrows. |
| Overtaking While Turning | Prohibited | Prohibited. |
Right Turn On Red
israel:
Prohibited unless a sign permits
sweden:
Not generally allowed.
Left Turn: General
israel:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
sweden:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs.
Left Turn: At Intersections
israel:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
sweden:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left.
U- Turns Allowed
israel:
Varies; check for signs
sweden:
Allowed except where prohibited by signs.
Special Turn Lanes
israel:
Yes, marked with arrows
sweden:
Yes, marked with arrows.
Overtaking While Turning
israel:
Prohibited
sweden:
Prohibited.
Documentation
| Israel | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Requirement | Valid driver's license required | Valid driver's license required. |
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit is not necessary. |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended. |
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | Liability insurance mandatory. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required; proof may be required | Annual inspection required. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Proof may be required to be shown. |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Mandatory. |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory but recommended | Not mandatory but recommended. |
Driver's License: Requirement
israel:
Valid driver's license required
sweden:
Valid driver's license required.
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
israel:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
sweden:
Accepted; International Driving Permit is not necessary.
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
israel:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
sweden:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended.
Insurance
israel:
Liability insurance mandatory
sweden:
Liability insurance mandatory.
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
israel:
Annual inspection required; proof may be required
sweden:
Annual inspection required.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
israel:
Displayed on windshield
sweden:
Proof may be required to be shown.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
israel:
Mandatory
sweden:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
israel:
Not mandatory but recommended
sweden:
Not mandatory but recommended.
Road Etiquette
| Israel | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake. |
| Flashing Lights: Misuse | Discouraged, fines may apply | Discouraged, fines may apply. |
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic. |
| Lane Courtesy: Blocking | Discouraged and may be penalized | Discouraged and may be penalized. |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations | Only in emergency situations. |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate use compared to some countries | Rarely used except for emergencies. |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks. |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Move to the side of the road and stop if necessary. |
| Emergency Vehicles: Awareness | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights. |
Flashing Lights: Usage
israel:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
sweden:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake.
Flashing Lights: Misuse
israel:
Discouraged, fines may apply
sweden:
Discouraged, fines may apply.
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
israel:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
sweden:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic.
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
israel:
Discouraged and may be penalized
sweden:
Discouraged and may be penalized.
Use Of Horn: Limited
israel:
Only in emergency situations
sweden:
Only in emergency situations.
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
israel:
Moderate use compared to some countries
sweden:
Rarely used except for emergencies.
Pedestrians Priority
israel:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
sweden:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks.
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
israel:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
sweden:
Move to the side of the road and stop if necessary.
Emergency Vehicles: Awareness
israel:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights
sweden:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights.
Alcohol
| Israel | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.01% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.01% | Zero tolerance; 0.00%. |
| Zero Tolerance: Drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs. |
| Zero Tolerance: Medications | Check if medication affects driving ability | Check if medication affects driving ability. |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used regularly | Common; police conduct alcohol and drug checks. |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines, varies depending on offense | Substantial; vary depending on blood alcohol level. |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for severe offenses | Possible for high levels or repeat offenses. |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension. |
Limits: General Drivers
israel:
0.05%
sweden:
0.02%
Limits: Professional Drivers
israel:
0.01%
sweden:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
israel:
0.01%
sweden:
Zero tolerance; 0.00%.
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
israel:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
sweden:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs.
Zero Tolerance: Medications
israel:
Check if medication affects driving ability
sweden:
Check if medication affects driving ability.
Enforcement: Random Checks
israel:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
sweden:
Common; police conduct alcohol and drug checks.
Enforcement: Fines
israel:
Substantial fines, varies depending on offense
sweden:
Substantial; vary depending on blood alcohol level.
Enforcement: Imprisonment
israel:
Possible for severe offenses
sweden:
Possible for high levels or repeat offenses.
Test Refusal
israel:
Can result in license suspension
sweden:
Can result in license suspension.
Roundabouts
| Israel | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Priority: Entering | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout. |
| Priority: Inside | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly. |
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal left if you plan to take the first exit. |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit. |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for first exit or straight. |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe. |
Priority: Entering
israel:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
sweden:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout.
Priority: Inside
israel:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
sweden:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly.
Signaling: Entering
israel:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
sweden:
Signal left if you plan to take the first exit.
Signaling: Exiting
israel:
Signal right when preparing to exit
sweden:
Signal right when preparing to exit.
Lane Usage: Right
israel:
Use for first exit or straight
sweden:
Use for first exit or straight.
Lane Usage: Left
israel:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
sweden:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe.
Emergency Services
| Israel | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 100 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Check local numbers | 112 for emergencies, otherwise local non-emergency numbers. |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with your insurance provider or local service (e.g., Falck, Assistancekåren). |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Mandatory. |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory but recommended. |
Contact: General Emergency
israel:
100
sweden:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
israel:
Check local numbers
sweden:
112 for emergencies, otherwise local non-emergency numbers.
Contact: Roadside Assistance
israel:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
sweden:
Check with your insurance provider or local service (e.g., Falck, Assistancekåren).
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
israel:
Mandatory
sweden:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
israel:
Recommended
sweden:
Not mandatory but recommended.
Penalties And Fines
| Israel | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial, points on license | Varies; SEK 1500 and upwards, 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 | SEK 1500, points on license. |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines issued, usually high, points on license | SEK 1500, fines for illegal use. |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines issued, points on license | Varies; fines and possible points on license. |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible in some cases; usually paid online or by mail | Common; fines can be issued directly. |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Typically within 30 days to pay. |
| Foreign Drivers: Fines | Same as residents; must be paid | Same as residents; must be paid. |
| Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment | Possible if fines are not paid | Possible if fines are not paid. |
Common Fines: Speeding
israel:
Varies; can be substantial, points on license
sweden:
Varies; SEK 1500 and upwards, depending on excess speed.
Common Fines: Alcohol
israel:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
sweden:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time.
Common Fines: Seat Belts
israel:
Fines issued, points possible
sweden:
SEK 1500, points on license.
Common Fines: Phone Use
israel:
Fines issued, usually high, points on license
sweden:
SEK 1500, fines for illegal use.
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
israel:
Fines issued, points on license
sweden:
Varies; fines and possible points on license.
Payment: On The Spot
israel:
Possible in some cases; usually paid online or by mail
sweden:
Common; fines can be issued directly.
Payment: Deadline
israel:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
sweden:
Typically within 30 days to pay.
Foreign Drivers: Fines
israel:
Same as residents; must be paid
sweden:
Same as residents; must be paid.
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
israel:
Possible if fines are not paid
sweden:
Possible if fines are not paid.