Driving Differences: Israel vs. United Arab Emirates
When it comes to navigating the roads of Israel and the United Arab Emirates, understanding their unique traffic regulations is essential for ensuring a safe journey. From varying speed limits and overtaking rules to distinct signage practices, these countries showcase intriguing contrasts. Explore how driving customs differ and equip yourself for a secure adventure abroad.
Lanes
| Israel | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the left edge on some roads. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Prohibited except for special circumstances like overtaking a vehicle that is turning left. | Allowed on multilane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 5 | List length: 6 |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | Yes, in major cities like Abu Dhabi and Dubai |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses, taxis, and motorcycles in some areas. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled and usually marked by road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Yes, primarily in urban areas and parks. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | Yes, in some areas |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Minimum two or three occupants |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | Electronic signs display current limits, often in major urban areas and highways. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
israel:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
united arab emirates:
Marks the left edge on some roads.
Overtaking: On Right
israel:
Prohibited except for special circumstances like overtaking a vehicle that is turning left.
united arab emirates:
Allowed on multilane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
israel:
List length: 5
united arab emirates:
List length: 6
Bus Lanes: Presence
israel:
Yes
united arab emirates:
Yes, in major cities like Abu Dhabi and Dubai
Bus Lanes: Usage
israel:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
united arab emirates:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and motorcycles in some areas.
Bus Lanes: Markings
israel:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
united arab emirates:
Labeled and usually marked by road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
israel:
Yes
united arab emirates:
Yes, primarily in urban areas and parks.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
israel:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes, in some areas
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
israel:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Minimum two or three occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
israel:
Electronic signs display current limits.
united arab emirates:
Electronic signs display current limits, often in major urban areas and highways.
Speeds Limits
| Israel | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 25-40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 100-140 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Less common; fines can be issued electronically |
Urban Areas: Standard
israel:
50 km/h
united arab emirates:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
israel:
30 km/h
united arab emirates:
25-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
israel:
80 km/h
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
israel:
80 km/h
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
israel:
80 km/h
united arab emirates:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
israel:
100-120 km/h
united arab emirates:
100-140 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
israel:
100 km/h
united arab emirates:
100-120 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
israel:
Yes
united arab emirates:
Less common; fines can be issued electronically
Signals
| Israel | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Used before green light. | Not used in UAE |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use prohibited; local ordinances apply | Unnecessary use discouraged; especially in residential areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Hebrew, Arabic, English; symbols are international | Arabic and English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with red border | Triangular with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
israel:
Used before green light.
united arab emirates:
Not used in UAE
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
israel:
Unnecessary use prohibited; local ordinances apply
united arab emirates:
Unnecessary use discouraged; especially in residential areas
Traffic Signs: Language
israel:
Hebrew, Arabic, English; symbols are international
united arab emirates:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
israel:
Triangular-shaped with red border
united arab emirates:
Triangular with red borders
Turns
| Israel | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless a sign permits | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies; check for signs | Allowed unless specifically prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
israel:
Prohibited unless a sign permits
united arab emirates:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
israel:
Varies; check for signs
united arab emirates:
Allowed unless specifically prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Israel | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required; proof may be required | Annual inspection required for vehicles older than 3 years |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the windshield after inspection |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory but recommended | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
israel:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
united arab emirates:
Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
israel:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
united arab emirates:
Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
israel:
Annual inspection required; proof may be required
united arab emirates:
Annual inspection required for vehicles older than 3 years
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
israel:
Displayed on windshield
united arab emirates:
Displayed on the windshield after inspection
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
israel:
Not mandatory but recommended
united arab emirates:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Israel | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate use compared to some countries | Moderate use, not excessively |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
israel:
Moderate use compared to some countries
united arab emirates:
Moderate use, not excessively
Alcohol
| Israel | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.0% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.01% | 0.0% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.01% | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used regularly | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines, varies depending on offense | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
israel:
0.05%
united arab emirates:
0.0%
Limits: Professional Drivers
israel:
0.01%
united arab emirates:
0.0%
Limits: Underage Drivers
israel:
0.01%
united arab emirates:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
israel:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
united arab emirates:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
israel:
Substantial fines, varies depending on offense
united arab emirates:
Varies; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Israel | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 100 | 999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Check local numbers | Varies by emirate; often integrates with general emergency |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with your insurance provider or organizations like AAA |
Contact: General Emergency
israel:
100
united arab emirates:
999
Contact: Traffic Police
israel:
Check local numbers
united arab emirates:
Varies by emirate; often integrates with general emergency
Contact: Roadside Assistance
israel:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
united arab emirates:
Check with your insurance provider or organizations like AAA
Penalties And Fines
| Israel | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial, points on license | Varies; AED 300 to AED 3000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible jail time | Severe penalties, including fines and potential imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines issued, points possible | AED 400, 4 black points |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines issued, usually high, points on license | AED 800, 4 black points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines issued, points on license | AED 1000, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible in some cases; usually paid online or by mail | Not typical; fines usually notified electronically |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
israel:
Varies; can be substantial, points on license
united arab emirates:
Varies; AED 300 to AED 3000, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
israel:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
united arab emirates:
Severe penalties, including fines and potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
israel:
Fines issued, points possible
united arab emirates:
AED 400, 4 black points
Common Fines: Phone Use
israel:
Fines issued, usually high, points on license
united arab emirates:
AED 800, 4 black points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
israel:
Fines issued, points on license
united arab emirates:
AED 1000, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
israel:
Possible in some cases; usually paid online or by mail
united arab emirates:
Not typical; fines usually notified electronically
Payment: Deadline
israel:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
united arab emirates:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay