Driving Differences: Israel vs Tunisia Safety Guide
When exploring the roads of Israel and Tunisia, understanding the distinct driving regulations and practices is essential for a safe journey. Key differences include lane usage, speed limits, and traffic signal protocols, which significantly impact road behavior. This comparison will guide you in navigating each country's unique driving landscape effectively.
Lanes
| Israel | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Prohibited except for special circumstances like overtaking a vehicle that is turning left. | Not typically permitted. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | N/A |
| 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 |
Overtaking: On Right
israel:
Prohibited except for special circumstances like overtaking a vehicle that is turning left.
tunisia:
Not typically permitted.
Bus Lanes: Presence
israel:
Yes
tunisia:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
israel:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
tunisia:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
israel:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
tunisia:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
israel:
Yes
tunisia:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
israel:
Exclusive for bicycles.
tunisia:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
israel:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
tunisia:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
israel:
N/A
tunisia:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
israel:
Yes
tunisia:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
israel:
Electronic signs display current limits.
tunisia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Israel | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | N/A |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
israel:
80 km/h
tunisia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
israel:
80 km/h
tunisia:
90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
israel:
100-120 km/h
tunisia:
110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
israel:
100 km/h
tunisia:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
israel:
80-100 km/h
tunisia:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
israel:
Yes
tunisia:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
israel:
Electronic signs display current limits
tunisia:
N/A
Signals
| Israel | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Used before green light. | Not typically used |
| 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 | Arabic and French; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
israel:
Used before green light.
tunisia:
Not typically used
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
israel:
Unnecessary use prohibited; local ordinances apply
tunisia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
israel:
Hebrew, Arabic, English; symbols are international
tunisia:
Arabic and French; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
israel:
Triangular-shaped with red border
tunisia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Israel | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless a sign permits | Prohibited |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies; check for signs | Allowed at intersections unless otherwise posted |
Right Turn On Red
israel:
Prohibited unless a sign permits
tunisia:
Prohibited
U- Turns Allowed
israel:
Varies; check for signs
tunisia:
Allowed at intersections unless otherwise posted
Documentation
| Israel | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required; proof may be required | Mandatory; proof may be required |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
| 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
tunisia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
israel:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
tunisia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
israel:
Annual inspection required; proof may be required
tunisia:
Mandatory; proof may be required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
israel:
Mandatory
tunisia:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
israel:
Not mandatory but recommended
tunisia:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Israel | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Encouraged, especially in heavy traffic |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate use compared to some countries | Moderate use |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
israel:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
tunisia:
Encouraged, especially in heavy traffic
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
israel:
Moderate use compared to some countries
tunisia:
Moderate use
Alcohol
| Israel | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.01% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.01% | 0.00%; zero tolerance policy |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used regularly | Common; checkpoints used broadly |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines, varies depending on offense | Substantial; varies by offense |
Limits: Professional Drivers
israel:
0.01%
tunisia:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
israel:
0.01%
tunisia:
0.00%; zero tolerance policy
Enforcement: Random Checks
israel:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
tunisia:
Common; checkpoints used broadly
Enforcement: Fines
israel:
Substantial fines, varies depending on offense
tunisia:
Substantial; varies by offense
Emergency Services
| Israel | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 100 | 197 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Check local numbers | 197 |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
israel:
100
tunisia:
197
Contact: Traffic Police
israel:
Check local numbers
tunisia:
197
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
israel:
Mandatory
tunisia:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
israel:
Recommended
tunisia:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Israel | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial, points on license | Varies; DT 40 to DT 500 |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines issued, points possible | DT 40 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines issued, usually high, points on license | DT 60 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines issued, points on license | Varies; DT 60 to DT 200 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible in some cases; usually paid online or by mail | Yes |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
israel:
Varies; can be substantial, points on license
tunisia:
Varies; DT 40 to DT 500
Common Fines: Alcohol
israel:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
tunisia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
israel:
Fines issued, points possible
tunisia:
DT 40
Common Fines: Phone Use
israel:
Fines issued, usually high, points on license
tunisia:
DT 60
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
israel:
Fines issued, points on license
tunisia:
Varies; DT 60 to DT 200
Payment: On The Spot
israel:
Possible in some cases; usually paid online or by mail
tunisia:
Yes
Payment: Deadline
israel:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
tunisia:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay