Driving in Israel vs. United Kingdom: Key Differences
When navigating the roads of Israel versus the United Kingdom, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that can impact safety. Key contrasts include driving on the right in Israel compared to the left in the UK, varying speed limits, and unique lane markings. Understanding these variations is crucial for a secure driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Israel | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid White Line | No crossing or lane changes allowed. | Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle). |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions. |
| Markings: Double Solid White Line | No crossing in either direction. | Do not cross or straddle in either direction. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Prohibited except for special circumstances like overtaking a vehicle that is turning left. | Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4] | Railroad crossings | Near schools |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Mostly exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
israel:
Right
united kingdom:
Left
Markings: Solid White Line
israel:
No crossing or lane changes allowed.
united kingdom:
Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle).
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
israel:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions.
Markings: Double Solid White Line
israel:
No crossing in either direction.
united kingdom:
Do not cross or straddle in either direction.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
israel:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK.
Overtaking: On Right
israel:
Prohibited except for special circumstances like overtaking a vehicle that is turning left.
united kingdom:
Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4]
israel:
Railroad crossings
united kingdom:
Near schools
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
israel:
Use rightmost lane.
united kingdom:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
israel:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
united kingdom:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
israel:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
united kingdom:
Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
israel:
Exclusive for bicycles.
united kingdom:
Mostly exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
israel:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
united kingdom:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
israel:
No
united kingdom:
No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
israel:
N/A
united kingdom:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Israel | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30 mph |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20 mph in some areas |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 60 mph |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 50 mph |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 50 mph |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 70 mph |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 60 mph |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 60 mph |
| Speed Units | km/h | mph |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Not typically used; fines are usually mailed |
Urban Areas: Standard
israel:
50 km/h
united kingdom:
30 mph
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
israel:
30 km/h
united kingdom:
20 mph in some areas
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
israel:
80 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
israel:
80 km/h
united kingdom:
50 mph
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
israel:
80 km/h
united kingdom:
50 mph
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
israel:
100-120 km/h
united kingdom:
70 mph
Highways: Buses And Vans
israel:
100 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
israel:
80-100 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Speed Units
israel:
km/h
united kingdom:
mph
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
israel:
Yes
united kingdom:
Not typically used; fines are usually mailed
Signals
| Israel | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Used before green light. | Prepare to go, not used in the USA |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| 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 | English; symbols are standard |
| 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.
united kingdom:
Prepare to go, not used in the USA
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
israel:
Signal when exiting
united kingdom:
Signal when entering and exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
israel:
Unnecessary use prohibited; local ordinances apply
united kingdom:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
israel:
Hebrew, Arabic, English; symbols are international
united kingdom:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
israel:
Triangular-shaped with red border
united kingdom:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Israel | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless a sign permits | Not permitted in the UK |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Left turns permitted; use caution |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left | Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies; check for signs | Allowed except where prohibited by signage |
Right Turn On Red
israel:
Prohibited unless a sign permits
united kingdom:
Not permitted in the UK
Left Turn: General
israel:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
united kingdom:
Left turns permitted; use caution
Left Turn: At Intersections
israel:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
united kingdom:
Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic.
U- Turns Allowed
israel:
Varies; check for signs
united kingdom:
Allowed except where prohibited by signage
Documentation
| Israel | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit often required alongside national license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required; proof may be required | MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Not displayed; records are electronic |
| 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
united kingdom:
Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
israel:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
united kingdom:
International Driving Permit often required alongside national license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
israel:
Annual inspection required; proof may be required
united kingdom:
MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
israel:
Displayed on windshield
united kingdom:
Not displayed; records are electronic
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
israel:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
israel:
Not mandatory but recommended
united kingdom:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Israel | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate use compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
israel:
Moderate use compared to some countries
united kingdom:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
israel:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
united kingdom:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Israel | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.01% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.01% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used regularly | Common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines, varies depending on offense | Substantial fines apply |
Limits: General Drivers
israel:
0.05%
united kingdom:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
israel:
0.01%
united kingdom:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
israel:
0.01%
united kingdom:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
israel:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
united kingdom:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
israel:
Substantial fines, varies depending on offense
united kingdom:
Substantial fines apply
Roundabouts
| Israel | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for first exit |
Signaling: Entering
israel:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
united kingdom:
Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight
Lane Usage: Right
israel:
Use for first exit or straight
united kingdom:
Use for first exit
Emergency Services
| Israel | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 100 | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Check local numbers | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
israel:
100
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Traffic Police
israel:
Check local numbers
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
israel:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
united kingdom:
Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
israel:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
israel:
Recommended
united kingdom:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Israel | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial, points on license | Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines issued, points possible | £100 fine |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines issued, usually high, points on license | £200 and 6 penalty points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines issued, points on license | £100 fine and 3 penalty points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible in some cases; usually paid online or by mail | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 28 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
israel:
Varies; can be substantial, points on license
united kingdom:
Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points
Common Fines: Alcohol
israel:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
united kingdom:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
israel:
Fines issued, points possible
united kingdom:
£100 fine
Common Fines: Phone Use
israel:
Fines issued, usually high, points on license
united kingdom:
£200 and 6 penalty points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
israel:
Fines issued, points on license
united kingdom:
£100 fine and 3 penalty points
Payment: On The Spot
israel:
Possible in some cases; usually paid online or by mail
united kingdom:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
israel:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
united kingdom:
Varies; typically 28 days to pay