Which Drivers Are Legally Required to Hold an Israeli License?

Foreign citizens, Olim and returning residents (toshavim chozrim) living in Israel for less than one year are legally permitted to drive or purchase a car with a valid foreign license. Once one year has passed since they entered the country, they must obtain an Israeli license. Leaving Israel for short trips abroad does not refresh this allowance unless the trip was at least six months long.

Electric Bikes and Scooters

Drivers of electric bikes and scooters must be age 16 or older and hold either a full or A3-level driver’s license. To obtain an A3 license, you are currently required only to pass a practical driving test as well as a special theory test, which you can register and study for online. The theory test may be taken by individuals age 15½ or older after they obtain a tofes yarok from a photographing center (see below).

Obtaining an Israeli License

There are now four different routes to obtaining a full Israeli driver’s license.

1. Expedited conversion

2. Standard conversion

3. Conversion beyond your time allowance

4. First-time license

Expedited Conversion

Eligibility

All the following conditions must be met:

You are an Oleh within 3 years of Aliyah, or an A-category visa holder within 1 year of entry to Israel

You have proof of 5 consecutive years of driving on a full-validity driver’s license

For an Oleh, the 5 years must be accrued prior to the date of Aliyah indicated on the teudat Oleh. For a visa holder, the 5 years must be prior to the date of first entry visa to Israel.

You hold a valid foreign driver’s license

You are less than 70 years old*

You only failed a practical conversion test once in the past**

There have been many instances where Misrad Harishui officials approved applicants who were beyond their official time allowance. Experience has shown that even if you are beyond the official time allowance, it is worth a try, especially because there is such a small time investment.

Procedure

1. Temporary ID number (foreigners only): those who have no Israeli ID or passport number need to get a temporary ID number from Misrad Harishui. Present Misrad Harishui with your foreign passport, foreign license and a copy of your visa. Tell them you wish to obtain an Israeli license. You will receive a paper that includes your passport number and a temporary ID number.

As of January 15, 2020, an appointment must be scheduled in advance at *5678 or via the MyVisit app or website.

2. Get a Tofes Yarok: You may order the tofes yarok online. After submitting your request, a text message will be sent to you letting you know it was processed. The tofes yarok will automatically be updated in the Misrad Harishui’s system.

The tofes yarok is valid for 3 years from its issue date. You may use a tofes yarok that you have from previous attempts at converting your license within the past 3 years.

3. Visit a licensed optician approved by the Misrad Harishui. Present the optometrist with your teudat zehut (or foreign passport plus temporary ID number). He/she will photograph you. If you require an eye exam, there will be a charge of around 50 shekel.

• For a list of optometrists throughout Jerusalem and the rest of Israel who are approved by Misrad Harishui, click here. Chaim V’Chessed has confirmed the following three Jerusalem-area locations:
  
  Optica Halpern, Malha Mall: 02-630-6402
  
  Memsi Yerushalayim, Hadar Mall, Talpiot (floor 2): 02-625-9711
  
  Optica Ro’im Shesh-Shesh, King George 21: 02-631-0588
  
  Call to confirm before going to any location that the optometrist is in at the time you’ll be visiting.
  
  4. Go to Misrad Harishui to apply for a temporary driver’s license (appointments necessary, see end of article).
  
  Bring along the following, plus a copy of each item:
  
  Teudat zehut (or foreign passport plus temporary number)
  
  Teudat oleh, if applicable
  
  Valid foreign driver’s license, plus a copy of the front and back
  
  Copy of your visa, if applicable
  
  Proof of having a full-validity foreign license for at least 5 years (for Olim, proof of driving for 5 years prior to date of Aliyah, for visa-holders, 5 years prior to entry to Israel) – either the issue date on your license, or a transcript of your driving history issued by your hometown DMV
  
  Daf knisot v’yetziot from Misrad Hapnim– some have reported this requirement
  
  You should receive your temporary license on the spot.
  
  4. Bring your temporary license to the post office and pay the fee in cash. (Most post offices will not accept checks or credit cards.) Fee is determined based on the length of validity, approximately 400 NIS for 10 years. Your temporary license only becomes valid once you pay. Your permanent license will be sent to the address on file in Misrad Hapnim in about a month.
  
  *If you are over 70 years old, you will need to undergo an eye exam and doctor's exam.
  
  **If you have failed the driving test more than once, you will need to take a practical driving test.
  
  
  
  If you do not meet the eligibility requirements, you'll need to follow the standard license conversion protocol (below), which has not changed very recently.
  
  

Standard Conversion

Eligibility

You are an Oleh within 3 years of Aliyah, or an A-category visa holder within 1 year of entry to Israel

You are older than 16 years and 9 months of age

You hold a full-validity foreign license

Procedure

Step One: Temporary ID Number (Foreigners Only)

Those who have no Israeli ID or passport number need to get a temporary ID number from Misrad Harishui. To obtain this temporary ID number, make an appointment for the Misrad HaRishui either by phone (*5678) or online at mivisit.com. Come with both your foreign passport and foreign license. Tell them you wish to obtain an Israeli license. You will receive a paper that includes your passport number and a temporary ID number.

Step Two: Tofes Yarok and Eye Examination

You may order the tofes yarok online. After submitting your request, a text message will be sent to you letting you know it was processed. The tofes yarok will automatically be updated in the Misrad Harishui’s system. The tofes yarok is valid for 3 years from its issue date.

Please note: if you answered “yes” to any of the medical questions, you will be required to bring a letter from your doctor stating you are fit to drive.

Once you have ordered your tofes yarok, visit a licensed optician approved by the Misrad Harishui. Present the optometrist with your teudat zehut (or foreign passport plus temporary ID number). He/she will photograph you. If you require an eye exam, there will be a charge of around 50 shekel.

For a list of optometrists throughout Jerusalem and the rest of Israel who are approved for Misrad Harishui vision tests, click here. See above for confirmed locations.

Call to confirm before going to any location that the optometrist is in at the time you’ll be visiting.

Step Three: Driving Lesson(s)

You are required to take a minimum of one lesson with a certified driving instructor before taking your driving test. Contact an instructor to set up a lesson and specify whether you drive an automatic or manual shift car.

At the lesson, present your green form, teudat zehut (or foreign passport, temporary ID number and copy of your visa), and the certificate stating you passed the written test, if applicable. After your lesson, the teacher may suggest that you need further instruction. If possible, follow his suggestion and practice with an instructor until he feels you are ready!

Step Five: Pay the Fees and Take the Driving Test

Have your driving instructor schedule an appointment for a driving test. You will take the test in the instructor’s car. You will also receive one last lesson immediately before the test.

There are two fees that must be paid prior to the test. One fee is paid at the post office, and the other is paid directly to the teacher. The instructor will give you the necessary forms and information in advance.

If you do not pass the test, continue taking driving lessons until your instructor decides you are ready to retake it.

Step Six: Pick Up Your License and Pay a Fee

Soon after you take and pass the test, you will be contacted to pick it up you temporary license from the driving school with which your teacher is affiliated.

Next, validate your temporary license at a post office. Present the temporary license, teudat zehut or foreign passport, and the shekel amount specified on your temporary license in cash. The post office will stamp your paper to indicate that you paid.



Keep the license and your ID with you while driving until your permanent license arrives. It will be mailed to the home address that is listed in your Misrad Hapnim file. As per a recent change in policy, both foreigners who carry A-category visas as well as Israeli citizens receive a plastic card. The license of a foreign citizen will expire on the birthday before his or her visa expiration. The license of an Israeli citizen will expire on his or her birthday after approximately 10 years.

Conversion Beyond Your Time Allowance

If you are an Oleh who has been in Israel more than three years, or an A-category visa holder who has been here more than one year, you will need to follow the protocol for Standard Conversion above with the following additions:

Written Theory Test

Before beginning driving lessons, you will need to take and pass a written theory test.

To study for the theory test online, you can use the website isradrive.com in English or avarti.co.il in Hebrew. There are also books on the subject available in bookstores or libraries.

To take the test, go to the testing location at Yad Harutsim 18 (in the Achim Israel Mall), Talpiot. Hours are Monday through Thursday, 8:00 am-4:00 pm, and Friday, 8:30 am-12:00 pm. We recommend that you register online beforehand at theory.org.il; it allows you to reserve a slot and minimize waiting time. Otherwise, simply go and wait for an available slot.

Note that the testing center is very close to the Misrad Harishui, so you can get your green form stamped (Step Four above) and take your theory test in one trip. The green form may also be stamped after you take your theory test.

If you pass, you’ll receive a certificate. Ask the clerk to specify on it in writing that you are converting your license as opposed to getting one for the first time.

Driving Test

You may be required to take the regular, more difficult driving test instead of the simpler conversion test.

First-Time Israeli License

To obtain a first-time license in Israel, follow the protocol for Standard Conversion above with the following additions:

1. Written theory test (see above).

2. A minimum of 28 driving lessons (40 minutes each) with a certified instructor prior to taking the practical driving test.

Misrad Harishui – Licensing Office

Central hotline: *5678 • rishuy.mot.gov.il
Advance appointments necessary
To make an appointment: *5678 or myvisit.com

Jerusalem Central

Yaffo 97

Sunday - Thursday 8:00 am-1:00 pm; Sunday 3:30 pm-6:00 pm

Talpiot, Jerusalem

Please note new address:

HaUman 10, Binyan Kaduri

Sunday - Thursday 8:00 am-1:00 pm

Tuesday 3:30 pm-6:00 pm

License conversion: Tuesday and Thursday 8:00 am-12:00 pm (some have been successful outside these hours)