How to Obtain a Driving License in Israel

New citizens, tourists and temporary residents¹ (one who has been out of the country for at least one entire year), are allowed to drive in Israel with a valid foreign driver`s license for a period of one year beginning on the day of arrival in Israel, in a vehicle that he is permitted to drive as stated on his license, as long as he is of the legal age² (minimum 17) to drive. In the event of multiple exits and entries into Israel, he will be tested in driver theory.

It is possible to transfer a foreign driver`s license to an Israeli license for up to three years of a new immigrant`s arrival in Israel (this is possible only if the foreign driver`s license was given before his status as a new citizen and before his entry into Israel).

To obtain a license to drive a private vehicle, a motorcycle up to 500 cc (0.5 l), or a light truck up to 15 tons, you must take a road driving test on the type of vehicle you are applying for a license to drive. If you fail the road driving test twice, you will be required to pass both a driver theory test and another road driving test.

To begin the application process:

• New citizens must present their foreign drivers license (along with a photocopy of it), medical and vision test reports from Israeli doctors, his Israeli ID (Teudat Zehut) and his Teudat Oleh.
   
• Returning Israeli Residents must present their foreign drivers license (along with a photocopy of it), medical and vision test reports from Israeli doctors, any identifying document, and a passport with detailed stamps identifying his entries and exits from Israel. He can transfer his foreign driver`s license within a year of his arrival in Israel on the condition that the applicant resided outside of Israel for at least six months and his foreign driver`s license has been valid for at least six months.
   
• Temporary residents and Tourists (who do not possess an Israeli ID number) must present their foreign drivers license (along with a photocopy of it), medical and vision test reports from Israeli doctors, passport and permission of residency in Israel (a visa for at least 3 months).

The rules are simple and they can be found here in Hebrew and English.  
 

Please contact me for more information if you need.
 

Sincerely,
 

Tzvi Szajnbrum, Attorney at Law
 

¹    Temporary residents: If you have a foreign driver`s license it is valid only if it was issued at least six months before your entry into Israel.

²    A valid Israeli driver`s license will be given if the minimum age of 17 (for a private vehicle) has been reached. Applicants under the age of 17, will receive a valid driver`s license when they become 17 years old or older.