Driving in Israel vs Turkey: Key Differences to Know
As you navigate the roads of Israel and Turkey, understanding the distinct regulations and practices can enhance your travel experience. From speed limits and lane usage to emergency contacts, this comparison highlights vital distinctions that ensure your safety and compliance in each country. Stay informed and drive confidently in these diverse landscapes.
Lanes
| Israel | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Prohibited except for special circumstances like overtaking a vehicle that is turning left. | Generally not allowed, except in specific situations or if the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled with specific signs indicating bus lanes. |
Overtaking: On Right
israel:
Prohibited except for special circumstances like overtaking a vehicle that is turning left.
turkey:
Generally not allowed, except in specific situations or if the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Markings
israel:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
turkey:
Labeled with specific signs indicating bus lanes.
Speeds Limits
| Israel | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 90 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, fines may be imposed immediately in certain circumstances. |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
israel:
80 km/h
turkey:
90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
israel:
100-120 km/h
turkey:
120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
israel:
80-100 km/h
turkey:
90 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
israel:
Yes
turkey:
Yes, fines may be imposed immediately in certain circumstances.
Signals
| Israel | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Used before green light. | Not commonly used in Turkey |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use prohibited; local ordinances apply | Unnecessary use prohibited in urban areas from 22:00 to 07:00 |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Hebrew, Arabic, English; symbols are international | Turkish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with red border | Triangle-shaped with a white background and red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
israel:
Used before green light.
turkey:
Not commonly used in Turkey
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
israel:
Unnecessary use prohibited; local ordinances apply
turkey:
Unnecessary use prohibited in urban areas from 22:00 to 07:00
Traffic Signs: Language
israel:
Hebrew, Arabic, English; symbols are international
turkey:
Turkish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
israel:
Triangular-shaped with red border
turkey:
Triangle-shaped with a white background and red border
Turns
| Israel | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless a sign permits | Generally not allowed unless a specific sign permits it. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies; check for signs | Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by sign |
Right Turn On Red
israel:
Prohibited unless a sign permits
turkey:
Generally not allowed unless a specific sign permits it.
U- Turns Allowed
israel:
Varies; check for signs
turkey:
Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by sign
Documentation
| Israel | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended for longer stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required alongside a foreign license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required; proof may be required | Periodic inspection required for all vehicles |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the windshield after inspection |
| 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
turkey:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended for longer stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
israel:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
turkey:
International Driving Permit required alongside a foreign license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
israel:
Annual inspection required; proof may be required
turkey:
Periodic inspection required for all vehicles
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
israel:
Displayed on windshield
turkey:
Displayed on the windshield after inspection
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
israel:
Not mandatory but recommended
turkey:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Israel | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate use compared to some countries | More frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
israel:
Moderate use compared to some countries
turkey:
More frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Israel | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.01% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.01% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used regularly | Common; checkpoints are frequent |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines, varies depending on offense | Varies by severity; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: Professional Drivers
israel:
0.01%
turkey:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
israel:
0.01%
turkey:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
israel:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
turkey:
Common; checkpoints are frequent
Enforcement: Fines
israel:
Substantial fines, varies depending on offense
turkey:
Varies by severity; can be substantial
Test Refusal
israel:
Can result in license suspension
turkey:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Emergency Services
| Israel | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 100 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Check local numbers | 155 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with your insurance provider or Turkish auto club services |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
israel:
100
turkey:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
israel:
Check local numbers
turkey:
155
Contact: Roadside Assistance
israel:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
turkey:
Check with your insurance provider or Turkish auto club services
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
israel:
Recommended
turkey:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Israel | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial, points on license | Varies; TL 140 to TL 400 and above, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines and penalty points, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines issued, points possible | Approximately TL 160, points may apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines issued, usually high, points on license | Fines for holding a phone while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines issued, points on license | Fines vary, penalty points apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible in some cases; usually paid online or by mail | Yes; fines may be imposed and collected immediately |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically required to be paid promptly to avoid surcharges |
Common Fines: Speeding
israel:
Varies; can be substantial, points on license
turkey:
Varies; TL 140 to TL 400 and above, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
israel:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
turkey:
Varies; substantial fines and penalty points, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
israel:
Fines issued, points possible
turkey:
Approximately TL 160, points may apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
israel:
Fines issued, usually high, points on license
turkey:
Fines for holding a phone while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
israel:
Fines issued, points on license
turkey:
Fines vary, penalty points apply
Payment: On The Spot
israel:
Possible in some cases; usually paid online or by mail
turkey:
Yes; fines may be imposed and collected immediately
Payment: Deadline
israel:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
turkey:
Varies; typically required to be paid promptly to avoid surcharges