Driving on a foreign license in Israel

Driving in Israel without a valid driver’s license is illegal. Olim (new immigrants), temporary residents, returning residents and tourists are permitted to drive in Israel with a foreign or international driver’s license for one year following their date of entry into Israel.

• The category of vehicle driven must match the category stated on the valid license.
• The age requirement must comply with the Israeli requirements for that category (17 for a private car).

You need to make an appointment before you go to Misrad HaRishui (Bureau of Motor Vehicles) at https://govisit.gov.il/en/authorities/authority/29

Getting an Israeli license

Converting an existing foreign license – immediate conversion

Misrad HaRishui allows olim and returning residents who have a valid foreign driver’s license that was valid for at least 5 years before the date of aliyah or return to receive an Israeli driver’s license without a theory or road test.   Olim may do this within 5 years of their aliyah.  Returning Residents may do this within their first year of returning to Israel.

• check what category of license you need, for private cars it’s B
• complete  https://govforms.gov.il/mw/forms/RishumTheory@mot.gov.il#!requestDetails and submit. An SMS or voice message will be sent within a few days with further instructions.
• get a photograph and if needed, an eye exam, –https://www.gov.il/he/Departments/DynamicCollectors/photo_driving_license_stock?skip=0&limit=10

Requirements – bring to Misrad HaRishui:

• teudat zehut (identity card) / passport
• teudat oleh (immigrant booklet)
• foreign driver’s license – The driver’s license has to have an issue date of at least 5 years before aliyah, if it doesn’t, bring the previous driver’s license, as well, or bring a document from the Bureau of Motor Vehicles that gave you the license that states when you were first issued a driver’s license. Photocopy both sides of the documents.

 Converting an existing foreign license – general 

Olim and returning residents who do not qualify for the above, and temporary residents and tourists may convert their foreign license to an Israeli one using an abridged process. They are exempt from taking the written exam, although a short road test is compulsory. Please note you must be at least 17 years old

Requirements:

• Olim may convert their license on condition that the foreign license was issued prior to their aliyah. They have 5 years to convert their license using the abridged process.

Documents required – foreign driver’s license with an issue date (or see Requirements) + photocopy, teudat zehut, teudat oleh.

• Temporary Residents must convert their license within one year of their arrival.

Documents required – foreign driver’s license with an issue date (or see Requirements) + photocopy, passport, the official permit for staying in Israel.

• Returning residents who never had an Israeli driver’s license may convert their license on condition that the foreign license was issued at least six months prior to their return, and the applicant was abroad for at least six months prior to the request. They must convert their license within one year of their return.

Documents required – foreign driver’s license with an issue date (or see Requirements) + photocopy, identification card, and proof that they have been out of the country.  

• Returning Residents who had an Israeli driver’s license in the past must make an appointment at Misrad HaRishui to receive instructions on how to renew their license. Bring your old Israeli driver’s license and current teudat zehut. 

• Tourists must convert their license after residing in Israel for one year. The license will be valid for six months / last date of your visa (whichever is earlier) but can be renewed immediately when it expires.

Documents required – foreign passport, foreign driver’s license (if not in English, must be translated), a valid 3-month tourist visa.

NOTE: Driving without a valid license invalidates both compulsory and comprehensive insurance.

General Procedure for obtaining your Driver’s License

• complete  https://govforms.gov.il/mw/forms/RishumTheory@mot.gov.il#!requestDetails   and submit. An SMS or voice message will be sent within a few days with further instructions.
• get a photograph and if needed, an eye exam, –https://www.gov.il/he/Departments/DynamicCollectors/photo_driving_license_stock?skip=0&limit=10

• Take teudat zehut, teudat oleh (if you have one) to the Misrad HaRishui near you that processes olim. You will be issued with a referral (hafnaya) to a driving school in order to take your road test.

Taking a road test

Contact a driving instructor to schedule and take the road test. The instructor will give you a form to pay the registration fee for the road test.  The instructor must schedule the test for you and the instructor’s car must be used for the test.  You are required to take a minimum of one lesson and the instructor may require you to take several more.

The test may take place at any branch of the Misrad HaRishui.   Note that if you take your test in an automatic transmission vehicle, you will be issued a license that permits you to drive only automatic vehicles.  However, if you take the lesson and test using a standard ­­­you will be able to drive a standard or automatic vehicle.

A driving lesson is usually 40 minutes.  The driving test fee includes the practical examination (road test) and use of the car from the driving school.  

The road test is a control test, which lasts 15 minutes and tests your physical control of the car, knowledge of local traffic laws and safe driving practices.  The instructor will bring your forms to the test.

Bring with you: teudat zehut, foreign passport, foreign driving license and a copy of the registration fee receipt.  An examiner from the Misrad HaRishui conducts the road test.

Results from your road test will be given to you by your instructor within a couple of days.

Getting your Israeli driver’s license

If you do not pass the road test you may continue to take it until you pass.  However, if you fail it 2x, you may be asked to take the written theory test.  The theory test can be taken in many languages, including English. 

Once you have passed your test, you will receive a temporary paper license either from your instructor or by returning to Misrad HaRishui.  For payment options, see below under Renewing Your Driver’s License.  Immediately after payment, your temporary license is valid when used with your teudat zehut or passport.

A driver’s license will be mailed to you. The license is valid for 10 years except for specific cases.

10 year license – The fee for a 10 year license is NIS 524 (fees subject to change).

  5 year license. The fee for a 5 year license is NIS 250 (fees subject to change).

• A 5 year license is issued following completion of the 2 year new driver period.
• A driver of a public transport vehicle, a heavy goods vehicle, a security vehicle and a children transport vehicle.
• A driver 75 – 80 years old.

  2 year license. The fee for a 2 year license is NIS 96 (fees subject to change).

• A new driver.
• A driver 80 years old or older.

Renewing your driving license

The renewal date that appears on your license is identical to your date of birth.

1. Getting a payment slip

Months before the renewal date, you will be sent a payment slip.  If you do not receive it one month from the renewal date, notify the Ministry of Transport at telephone *5678.

2. Paying the fee

There are several ways to pay your fee:

• Postal bank – go to any of the branches, and you will get your license on the spot. The payment will be updated in the Ministry of Transport within 14 days.
• Telephone – call *5678 or 1-222-5678 and pay using a computer answering machine. You will receive an approval number, and your payment will be updated immediately. A temporary license (signed “paid”) will be sent.
• Bank – you can pay the fee at any bank. It is updated immediately.
• Service stand – Self-service stands (RISHIOMAT) to pay your fee are available in Misrad HaRishui branches, shopping malls and super-pharm. Notice! You can only pay with a credit card owned by the person renewing his license. The payment will be updated immediately.
• Internet – Pay using a credit card in this link. The payment will be updated immediately.
• App – You can pay the fee using the government services app, available for both Android and I-phone.

1. Temporary license

If you paid using the phone or online, a temporary license will be sent to your address within 2 weeks of payment.

1. Driver’s license

Within 2 months of paying the fee, a new license (with a picture) will be sent to you. If the  Ministry of Transportation does not have a current picture, a comment will be written on your payment slip. In this case, once you’ve paid your fee and received a temporary license you must go to a photo-stand with your temporary license to take your picture. https://www.gov.il/he/Departments/DynamicCollectors/photo_driving_license_stock?skip=0&limit=10

Comments: If your license is about to expire soon, it is recommended to pay the fee in the Bank/Postal bank. Drivers over the age of 75, and professional drivers (taxi, bus, truck etc.) over the age of 60 are required to get a medical checkup before renewing their license. The medical form will be sent to them 6 months prior to the license renewal date.

Contact the Ministry of Transportation

Misrad HaRishui has a Central Information Service – Dial *5678 (or 1-222-5678). A computer answering machine is available 24/7.  To talk to a representative call Sun-Thurs. 7:00-20:00, Fri 7:00-13:00.  A list of all the Misrad HaRishui branches is available HERE (Hebrew only).

Addresses of some of the Misrad HaRishui branches that deal with olim:

Femi Premium Branches

The information presented in this article was accurate at the time of printing.  Changes in procedures and in the law may occur.  AACI does not take responsibility for changes and recommends you confirm the above information with an AACI counselor at the time of transfer.

Safe driving!

According to Israeli law, a car owner is obligated to have at least the basic level of car insurance in order to legally drive the car.  This legal requirement is known in Hebrew as Teudat Chova or Bituach Chova.  In English – The Compulsory Insurance Certificate.

Car insurance in Israel works differently to car insurance in many other countries, often confusing not only Olim who have recently made aliyah, but also people who have lived in Israel for years.

There are three categories of Israeli car insurance:

1. Bituach Chova (Compulsory Insurance) is the sole legal requirement. The cost is determined by the type of vehicle, age of drivers, accident history, car safety features and usage. Bituach Chova is a no-fault insurance that only covers bodily injury.  It does not matter who is at fault.  In the event of an accident where there is bodily injury, the injured person will be covered by the Chova certificate of the car owner’s insurance, even if the driver is not at fault.  The Bituach Chova covers the driver for bodily injury caused to the driver, passengers and pedestrians that may be involved in an accident.  It will not cover people injured in another vehicle.  Each car covers its own passengers irrespective of who is at fault.

2. Bituach Makif (Comprehensive Insurance) covers damage to your vehicle and any 3rd party vehicle up to the sums insured specified in your car insurance policy. This insurance is based on who is at fault. Your own car will be insured up to its “book price” value, and therefore there will be no sum insured written in your policy for your own car.

Each policy does however have an upper limit for sums insured when it comes to the amount of damage caused to the other vehicle or property (Tzad Gimmel).  It may be important to look into the sums insured here, as not all policies have the same upper limits.

Despite the basic concept of comprehensive insurance remaining the same, some comprehensive car insurances are more comprehensive than others.

3rd Party Liability cover – It is important to check what your limit of liability cover is in the event that you cause damage to 3rd party property.  The most common (and default sum) stated in policies is roughly NIS 600,000, however it is possible to increase the liability cover to NIS 1 million depending on the policy you take.

Deductible/Excess on the depreciation clause – After an accident, a loss adjuster (Shammai) assesses two main things: the cost involved in repairing the vehicle (or determining if the car is deemed a total loss) and the loss in value caused to your car as a result of the damage caused, as in many instances, the resale value of the car may be impacted by the nature of damage caused.  In the event of an appraised depreciation, the insurance companies will also pay out the depreciated value in addition to the other costs involved in repairing the car.

Most policies have an added deductible (Hishtatfut Atzmit) of 1.5% of the value of the car on top of the typical car policy deductibles.  For example, if a car is worth 100,000 NIS, and the car has depreciated by 5,000 NIS as a result of an accident, most insurance policies will pay out 3,500 NIS (5,000 NIS less 1.5% of the 100,000 NIS that the car was valued at prior to the accident).

It is possible to obtain policies that have no deductible on the depreciation clause allowing you to receive full compensation for the true depreciation caused to your car.

Other self-explanatory types of coverage that are usually not automatically included in ‘comprehensive’ policies are cover for riots, strikes and commotions; and earthquake cover.  These can all be added, depending on the provider.

3. Tzad Gimmel (3rd Party Insurance) only covers damage to a 3rd party property. It does not cover damage to your own vehicle if it is damaged or stolen. This insurance is usually taken out by people with less valuable older cars, when it does not necessarily make financial sense to pay a higher premium to fully insure the car.

It is advisable to add windshield cover and roadside assistance cover to all policies if those are not built in as standard.

Car insurance premiums can be impacted by:

• Age and experience of drivers
• Whether the car is driven on Shabbat
• The number of people insured to drive the car
• Number of claim-free years of driving

An Oleh Chadash, Toshav Chozer or tourist (who may only drive in Israel for up to a year on a foreign license) should obtain a letter from their insurer overseas stating their claims history, which may qualify the driver for a reduced premium.  Without this letter, they may be insured as a new driver with a far higher premium.

The car insurance market is dynamic and competitive. It is important to remember to check what type of coverage you are receiving; you may find that it is worth spending a couple hundred shekels more to potentially save you thousands in the future.

AACI wishes to thank Goldfus Insurance & Investments. Tel: 02-561-2223

email: office@goldfus-ins.co.il    Website: https://goldfus-ins.co.il/en/home/

Goldfus Insurance & Investments takes no responsibility for changes in Israeli legislation that may alter the accuracy of the above information.

Vehicles with disabled parking badges may park in areas designated for the disabled and in places where parking is not normally permitted.

• One can get one parking badge for two vehicles, if both are used to transport the handicapped person (including two vehicles not owned by the handicapped person, but they use regularly).
• According to the law, the badge may only be used if the person with disabilities is in the vehicle (as a driver or passenger).
• In many cases, vehicles with disabled parking badges may park for free on sidewalks marked in blue and white. Since this is not a national regulation, the specifics should be checked with each local authority. According to the Haifa, Tel Aviv and Beer Sheva call centers, this is the case in those jurisdictions.
• According to the law, someone with a disabled parking badge may park for free in public pay parking if the only accessible approach to a public place is through that parking area.
• When parking, the badge must be placed on the left front window of the vehicle or the driver’s side window such that it can be seen clearly.

Types of badges issued to those who are eligible:

• A regular disabled badge for those whose mobility is limited has a green triangle. 
• A disabled badge for those who require a wheelchair has a wheelchair symbol. 
• Regular and wheelchair badges for disabled IDF veterans have a picture of a flower.
• The disabled parking law makes no distinction between the different types of tags.
• Vehicles with a disabled badge with a wheelchair symbol may travel in the lane for public transport when the person with the disability is in the vehicle.

Someone who is suffering from an illness or disease which causes difficulty in walking that is harmful to their health or is confined to their home as stated in their medical reports are eligible for a disabled parking badge.

Definition and criteria for disabled status according to the Ministry of Transportation

A person who has a government doctor’s written confirmation that says that:

• He is a disabled person who needs a vehicle as means of transportation due to his disabled legs.
• He has walking limitations and in need of a wheelchair.
• He has at least 60% disability and he cannot travel without a vehicle without harming his medical state.
• He is blind or a holder of a Certificate of Blindness/Visual Impairment . 

You can apply by sending the following documentation to

Ministry of Transport and Road Safety

The Unit for Limited Mobility – Update and Control Center

(היחידה לטיפול במוגבלי ניידות במרכז עדכון ובקרה)

PO Box 72, Holon 58100

1. gov.il/BlobFolder/service/disability_parking_badge/he/request_disability_parking_badge1.pdf
2. Photocopy of identification card (teudat zehut) + attachment (sefach)
3. Photocopy of vehicle registrations
4. A letter signed by the applicant indicating the number of tags requested (up to two vehicles).

5a. Approval from the Ministry of Health that they require a vehicle for mobility purposes due to disability in their legs or that their level of disability is at least 60% and that mobility without a vehicle is liable to be hazardous to their health. Those with medical disability of 60% or higher must attach a copy of the protocol from the Bituach Leumi medical committee.

5b. If they do not have approval from the Ministry of Health, up-to-date and detailed medical documentation from a doctor(s) indicating their mobility capacity must be submitted.

6. In the following cases, approvals from relevant bodies and institutions are required as detailed:
   • IDF disabled veterans – approval from the Ministry of Defense (the approval should be transferred automatically to the Vehicle Licensing Bureau (Misrad HaRishui) system.
   • Holocaust survivors – approval from the Holocaust Survivors Department of the Ministry of Finance that they are disabled and that mobility without a vehicle is liable to be hazardous to their health.
   • Victims of hostile acts – approval from the Hostile Actions. Casualties Department of Bituach Leumi that they are disabled and that mobility without a vehicle is liable to be hazardous to their health.
   • Blind individuals– approval from the Ministry of Social Affairs and Social Services (the approval should be transferred automatically to the Vehicle Licensing Bureau (Misrad HaRishui) system.

7. If the applicant is not the vehicle owner, the following documentation must be attached:

• If the vehicle is registered under the name of the applicant’s children/spouse: Identification card (teudat zehut) + attachment (sefach) of the applicant and the car’s owner in order to prove their familial relationship.
• If the vehicle is registered under the name of an in-law/friend/life partner: Signed affidavits from a lawyer indicating that the vehicle is used by the applicant.

The request can also be applied for online if you have already registered at GovID https://www.gov.il/en/service/disability_parking_badge

Less documentation is requested online, but it is important to attach all relevant medical documentation.

If you have not heard in 6 weeks, call the Ministry of Transportation Call Center: *5678.

Hours of operation: Sunday-Thursday 7:00-20:00, Friday 7:00-13:00

One of the vehicles is entitled to a reduced registration fee which is requested on the application form for the disabled parking badge.

You may receive a retroactive reimbursement for the proportional portion of the registration fee which was paid in full (before receiving the badge).

You must fill out and submit a registration fee reimbursement request or you may also apply for it online https://www.gov.il/en/service/disability_parking_badge

• Attach together with the form:
  • Photocopy of a blank check to verify bank details.
  • Photocopy of fees paid
  • Photocopy of identification card (teudat zehut) + attachment (sefach)
  • Photocopy of car license
• A parent who is the legal guardian of a child with disabilities over the age of 18 must attach the court appointment with a court stamp.

Olim, for the first 3 years of aliyah, are entitled to purchase an imported car at a reduced tax rate of 50%, as compared to the 83% that a veteran Israeli pays.  In addition to the car tax, one must pay VAT on the final value of the car.

The calculation is done as follows:

Car tax = [vehicle value * 50%]
VAT = [vehicle value + car tax] * 17%

For example: If you want to buy a car worth $10,000, then as an oleh you have to pay $5,000 in car tax plus $2,700 in VAT ($15,000 X 17%).  The total vehicle value of $15,000 = $10,000 (car value) + $5,000 (car tax).  VAT is paid on the full price of the car (i.e. base + car tax). The total cost of the car would be $17,700.

Two restrictions to using these benefits:

1. If the Oleh wants to sell his or her car within four years of the purchase date, they must pay back the reduction received at the time of purchase.
2. Only the Oleh who used his or her benefits to purchase the car will be allowed to drive the car.

Steps to buying a car with reduced tax benefits:

1. Once you find a car and a dealer, give the dealer your:

• Copy of your Benefits Booklet (Teudat Oleh)
• Israeli Driver’s License (acquired by converting a foreign license)
• Your driver’s license from your country of origin
• Copy of your foreign passport with Aliyah visa
• Copy of your Identity card (Teudat Zehut)

2. The dealer will send the documentation to customs authority (Meches) and you will receive your car within 10 days to 3 weeks of purchase with the reduced tax benefit.

When an oleh (immigrant) applies for an Israeli driver’s license and submits a medical form that lists a health problem, the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (Misrad HaRishui) will want to assess whether driving limitations should be imposed due to the medical condition. The application will be given to a medical committee of doctors of Misrad HaRishui and they will either approve the application or send the driver’s license request (along with documentation from the applicant’s doctor) to the Medical Institute for Road Safety (MARVAD) which is regarded as the “qualified physician” for performing medical examinations for the licensing authority.

In certain cases, a person may be requested to produce additional information or to undergo tests at the Institute or at another medical facility. There may be fees involved for these tests – payment can be done online, at the Institute and at the post office.  The Institute’s letter will specify which documents the applicant must bring (documentation varies from one applicant to the next).  The decision of the Institute regarding medical fitness for driving is a recommendation to the licensing authority.  It is the licensing authority’s responsibility to notify the person.  This is a lengthy process which may take months. 

The Medical Institute for Road Safety has offices in Tel Aviv and Haifa:

MARVAD in Tel Aviv

Address: 116 Begin Str., Tel Aviv

MARVAD in Haifa

Address: 15A Pal Yam Blvd., 20th floor, Government City, Haifa

For updates concerning your application, call the Ministry of Health Call Center: *5400 Sunday – Thursday, 8:00 – 18:00, Fridays and holiday eves 8:00-13:00 and push the extension for MARVAD.