Driving licence in Israel

Driving licenses in Israel come in twelve types, similar to the European driving license (although small differences exist). In order to receive a license, each applicant must pass a medical and eye checkup, and a theoretical test, before taking a number of practical lessons culminating in the practical test.

Types of license

Israel has the following types of driving licenses:

A2 - 14.6 HP , A1 - 47.46 HP , A - no limit

C1 for private minibus up to 8 passengers. C – for trucks up to 12 tons and no tonnage limit

D3 for a private minibus up to 5 tons, D2 for a public minibus with the same tonnage limit, D1 for a public transport vehicle with up to 16 passengers, and D for buses.

Passenger car license

Someone aged at least 16 years and 9 months may receive a Type B driver's license. After receiving both a medical and eye checkup, an applicant can take a 30 question multiple-choice test, of which they must answer at least 26 correctly. Before taking the actual driving test, they must receive at least 28 lessons at a certified driving school. After passing the internal driving school test, the instructor will arrange the road test, which will be taken in the driving school's vehicle. If someone fails either the written or driving test, they must wait at least two weeks before retaking the driving test, and one day before retaking the written test. Once the driving test has been passed, the licensing authority will issue a temporary license together with a payment voucher. Once the fee has been paid, the actual license will be sent in the mail.

For the first three months, the new licensee must be accompanied by someone aged over 24, who has had a license for at least 5 years, or someone over 30, who has had a license for over 3 years. For the next three months the new driver must be accompanied by someone (with the same specifications as before) in the night, meaning from 9 P.M. until 6 A.M.. after those six months the new driver's accompanied people need to sign on his temporary license so he could get the permanent one. In addition, during the first two years, the new driver must hang a sign reading "New Driver" (Hebrew: נהג חדש‎, Nahag Hadash) in black letters on a yellow background. Anyone failing to comply with these requirements is subject to be fined and tried in traffic court for driving without a license. If a new driver violates a traffic law, one may be required to retake the written and driving test.

Foreign driving licence

New immigrants, tourists, temporary residents, and citizens returning after residing overseas for at least a year may drive in Israel on a foreign licence for one year from entry into Israel.[1]

License conversion

Anyone possessing a foreign driving license residing in Israel for more than 12 months must convert their driving license. The applicant is required to undergo both a medical checkup and eye checkup. After applying at the local license authority office for an exemption from the written test and the requirement for 28 lessons, one is required to take one driving lesson, pay for a test at the local post office, and the instructor will arrange for an abbreviated driving test. If the applicant fails two such tests, they must pass the written test before retaking a thorough driving test.

References

  1. ↑ State of Israel, Ministry of Transport and Road Safety, Driving in Israel using a foreign driving licence?

External links