Driving in Israel vs. Switzerland: Key Differences Explained
When navigating the roads of Israel and Switzerland, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that impact their experience behind the wheel. From speed limits and lane markings to alcohol regulations and emergency contact numbers, understanding these variations is crucial for ensuring a secure journey abroad. Explore the essential contrasts to drive safely and confidently in these two diverse countries.
Lanes
| Israel | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Used for temporary road changes or construction zones. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Used in temporary traffic management. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Prohibited except for special circumstances like overtaking a vehicle that is turning left. | Not typically allowed, except in certain slow-moving traffic situations. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
israel:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
switzerland:
Used for temporary road changes or construction zones.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
israel:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
switzerland:
Used in temporary traffic management.
Overtaking: On Right
israel:
Prohibited except for special circumstances like overtaking a vehicle that is turning left.
switzerland:
Not typically allowed, except in certain slow-moving traffic situations.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
israel:
N/A
switzerland:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Israel | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes, drivers can be fined on the spot. |
Urban Areas: Standard
israel:
50 km/h
switzerland:
30-50 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
israel:
100-120 km/h
switzerland:
120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
israel:
80-100 km/h
switzerland:
80 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
israel:
Yes
switzerland:
Yes, drivers can be fined on the spot.
Signals
| Israel | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Used before green light. | Prepare to go |
| 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 | Symbols are standard, French, German, Italian and Rumantsch languages are used |
| 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.
switzerland:
Prepare to go
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
israel:
Unnecessary use prohibited; local ordinances apply
switzerland:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
israel:
Hebrew, Arabic, English; symbols are international
switzerland:
Symbols are standard, French, German, Italian and Rumantsch languages are used
Traffic Signs: Warning
israel:
Triangular-shaped with red border
switzerland:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Israel | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless a sign permits | Prohibited unless a specific sign allows it |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by sign |
Right Turn On Red
israel:
Prohibited unless a sign permits
switzerland:
Prohibited unless a specific sign allows it
U- Turns Allowed
israel:
Varies; check for signs
switzerland:
Allowed unless prohibited by sign
Documentation
| Israel | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended for non-French/German/Italian speaking licenses |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required; proof may be required | Vehicle inspection is required regularly; proof must be available |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Proof of inspection is kept in the vehicle |
| 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
switzerland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended for non-French/German/Italian speaking licenses
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
israel:
Annual inspection required; proof may be required
switzerland:
Vehicle inspection is required regularly; proof must be available
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
israel:
Displayed on windshield
switzerland:
Proof of inspection is kept in the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
israel:
Not mandatory but recommended
switzerland:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Israel | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
switzerland:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Israel | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.01% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.01% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used regularly | Common; police conduct random breath tests |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines, varies depending on offense | Substantial; fines can be based on income |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: Professional Drivers
israel:
0.01%
switzerland:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
israel:
0.01%
switzerland:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
israel:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
switzerland:
Common; police conduct random breath tests
Enforcement: Fines
israel:
Substantial fines, varies depending on offense
switzerland:
Substantial; fines can be based on income
Test Refusal
israel:
Can result in license suspension
switzerland:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Roundabouts
| Israel | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | No signaling normally required when entering |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for the first exit or straight |
Signaling: Entering
israel:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
switzerland:
No signaling normally required when entering
Lane Usage: Right
israel:
Use for first exit or straight
switzerland:
Use for the first exit or straight
Emergency Services
| Israel | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 100 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Check local numbers | 117 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | 140 |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
israel:
100
switzerland:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
israel:
Check local numbers
switzerland:
117
Contact: Roadside Assistance
israel:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
switzerland:
140
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
israel:
Recommended
switzerland:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Israel | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial, points on license | Varies; CHF 40 to CHF 400+, can lead to license suspension |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines issued, points possible | CHF 60 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines issued, usually high, points on license | CHF 100 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines issued, points on license | Varies; substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible in some cases; usually paid online or by mail | Common; fines can be issued on the spot |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically a few weeks to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
israel:
Varies; can be substantial, points on license
switzerland:
Varies; CHF 40 to CHF 400+, can lead to license suspension
Common Fines: Alcohol
israel:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
switzerland:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
israel:
Fines issued, points possible
switzerland:
CHF 60
Common Fines: Phone Use
israel:
Fines issued, usually high, points on license
switzerland:
CHF 100
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
israel:
Fines issued, points on license
switzerland:
Varies; substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
israel:
Possible in some cases; usually paid online or by mail
switzerland:
Common; fines can be issued on the spot
Payment: Deadline
israel:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
switzerland:
Varies; typically a few weeks to pay