Which Drivers Are Legally Required to Hold an Israeli License?

Anyone living in Israel for less than one year may legally drive or purchase a car with a valid foreign license. After one year, they must obtain an Israeli driver’s license to continue driving or buy a car. Short trips abroad do not reset this allowance unless the trip lasted at least six consecutive months. 

Obtaining an Israeli License

There are four different routes to obtaining an Israeli driver’s license. 

1. Expedited conversion

2. Standard conversion

3. Conversion beyond your time allowance

4. First-time license

Foreign Residents

Foreign residents who do not possess a teudat zehut number must obtain an ID number from Misrad Harishui. This number will start with 89 and will be required in all dealings with Misrad Hatachbura, including driver’s licenses and car purchase.

Obtaining an ID number (89) 

Visit a branch of Misrad Harishui , no appointment needed, and request an 89 ID number. 

Present the clerk with your foreign passport and visa.  You will be given a paper with your 89 number.

See here to find the Misrad Harishui nearest to you. 

The following 2 steps must be completed  before converting or obtaining any kind of license. 

Step 1

Complete a Tofes Yarok

The tofes yarok is a medical questionnaire required in order to obtain a driver’s license in Israel.  

It can be completed online here.  An elucidated version of the form appears here.  Foreigners should use the number they received from Misrad Harishui (beginning with 89) as their ID number on the form.

You will receive confirmation once the form is processed either by email, phone, or SMS.  It will then be automatically updated in Misrad Harishui system.

Important:  If one answered “yes” to any of the medical questions, upload a letter from a doctor stating you are “fit to drive/כשיר לנהוג”. If there is no response within two weeks, email support@chaimvchessed.com for further assistance.

Tip: If you do not have internet access, many opticians (see step 2) can complete the form for a small fee. 

Step 2

Visit a licensed optician

Go to an optician approved by Misrad Harishui. Bring your teudat zehut or foreign passport and  89 number. The optometrist will photograph the applicant and conduct an eye exam. 

For a list of optometrists throughout Israel who are approved by Misrad Harishui, see here. 

The next steps differ based on the kind of conversion or license one needs to obtain. 

Expedited Conversion

Eligibility for Expedited Conversion 

If all of the following conditions are met, the driver is eligible for an expedited conversion. 

For Olim, the 5 years must be prior to the date of Aliyah indicated on their teudat oleh. For a toshav chozer, the five years must be prior to their last entry to Israel.

If a visa holder is out of Israel for a period of six months or more, their count will begin again.

 Process

After completing the 2 basic steps above (completing the online tofes yarok and going to an optician):

1. Visit Misrad Harishui to apply for a temporary driver’s license 

Make an appointment at govisit.gov.il or call *5678.

When booking online, foreigners should use their ID number beginning in 89. Choose משרד התחבורה (the Ministry of Transportation) for בקשה להמרת רישיון זר. Make sure to choose להמשך זימון התור.

Bring originals plus a copy of each item:

• Foreign passport and visa (printed copy), or teudat zehut and teudat oleh 
• Valid foreign driver’s license, plus a copy of both the front and back
• Daf knisot viyitziot from The Population Authority (Misrad Hapnim) – for toshav chozer and visa holders
• Driving abstract (record) showing at least 5 consecutive years  of full-validity driving experience. For Olim, five years prior to date of Aliyah; for toshav chozer, five years prior to last entry to Israel.  If your present valid license shows five years validity before entry, a driving abstract is not needed.

Misrad Harishui will issue a temporary license on the spot which is NOT valid until paid for. 

Tip: It is possible to do an expedited conversion in one day! Begin by going to Misrad Harishui to get an 89 number, no appointment needed. Schedule an appointment on govisit.gov.il for approximately 2 hours later the same day. Complete the tofes yarok online, visit the nearest optician then come back for your appointment to complete the process. 

2. Pay the Fee – bring the temporary license to any post office and pay the fee in cash. (Most post offices will not accept checks or credit cards.) 

Note: Teudat zehut holders can pay online, or on an automated licensing machine (rishiomat). Call  *5678 for a list of locations.

The fee is determined based on the length of validity of the license, approximately 40 NIS per year. 

The temporary license becomes valid only once paid. 

Once paid, one may drive with any photo ID (and, for foreigners, their 89 number). One is not required to have the actual license card in order to drive in Israel.

The permanent license will be mailed to the address on file in The Population Authority (Misrad Hapnim) within 4-6 weeks. Call 077-998-5095 if it does not arrive.

*Individuals over 75 years old, will need to undergo an eye exam and doctor’s exam, see here. 

Standard Conversion

Eligibility for Standard Conversion

If all of the following conditions are met, the driver is eligible for a standard conversion. 

• The driver is an Oleh (within 5 years of their Aliyah date) or an A-category visa holder (within 5 years of entry to Israel)
• The driver holds a valid full validity foreign driver’s license
• The driver has proof of between 2-5 consecutive years of driving on a full-validity driver’s license

• The driver is older than 16 years and 9 months and under 75 years old* and has failed a practical conversion test no more than once in the past  

·                     ·                   ·

Process for Standard Conversion 

(After following the basic 2 steps for obtaining a license outlined above):

1. Driving Lessons – One is required to take a minimum of one lesson with a certified driving instructor before taking a 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 teudat zehut or foreign passport, visa and temporary ID number. The instructor will guide you through any additional forms. After the lesson, the teacher may recommend further lessons.  

2. Driving Test – The driving instructor will schedule a driving test (mivchan shlita / mivchan ma’asi) which is taken in the instructor’s car. A lesson is typically scheduled just prior to the test.

Two fees must be paid beforehand: one for the test (agrat mivchan, payable online) and one for use of the instructor’s car. The instructor will provide all necessary forms and payment information in advance.

After the test, one will be notified by phone the same day whether they passed. 

If one fails, they may continue lessons until the instructor deems them ready for a retest. 

3. Temporary License 

Israeli citizens will either receive their temporary license by email or can print it at an Automated Licensing Machine.

Foreign citizens must go to Misrad Harishui to receive the temporary driver’s license. 

To schedule an appointment call  *5678 or go to govisit.gov.il and book with משרד התחבורה (the Ministry of Transportation) for הוצאת רישיון נהיגה. Select להמשך זימון התור. Foreigners should use their ID number beginning in 89. 

Bring: passport and visa, foreign license and 89 number (when applicable). Originals and printed copies of each document are required.

Misrad Harishui will issue a temporary license on the spot, but it is NOT valid until it is paid for. 

4. Pay the Fee – Bring the temporary license to the post office and pay in cash. (Most post offices do not accept checks or credit cards.) 

The fee is based on the license validity period and is approximately 40 NIS per year. 

The temporary license only becomes valid after payment. 

The permanent license will be mailed to the address listed with The Population Authority (Misrad Hapnim) within 4-6 weeks.  If not received, call 077-998-5095
.  

*Individuals over 75 years old, will need to undergo an eye exam and doctor’s exam, see here. 

Conversion Beyond Your Time Allowance

Eligibility

• An Oleh who has a valid full-validity license but more than 5 years have passed since their Aliyah date, or who made Aliyah within 5 years but has less than two years of driving history on a full-validity license.
• An A-category visa holder who has a valid full-validity license and has been in Israel more than five years, or has under five years in Israel but less than two years of driving experience on a full validity license.

Process

After following the basic 2 steps for obtaining a license outlined above:

1. Written Theory Test – You must pass a theory test before beginning driving lessons.

• Study online: isradrive.com in English or m.noeg.co.il and testil.com in Hebrew. Books are also available in bookstores or libraries.
• Register and pay at theorytest.org.il.  The testing location in Jerusalem is located at Yad Harutsim 18 (in the Achim Israel Mall), Talpiot. 

Hours are Sun/Mon/Wed 8:30 am – 4:30 pm, Tues/Thurs 11:00 – 7:00 pm and Friday, 8:30 am-12:30 pm. 

After passing, one will receive a certificate. 

2. Driving Lessons – One is required to take a minimum of one lesson with a certified driving instructor before taking a driving test. Contact an instructor to set up a lesson and specify whether you drive an automatic or manual shift car.

At the lesson, the applicant should present their teudat zehut or foreign passport, visa and temporary ID number. The instructor provide all necessary forms and payment information in advance. After the lesson, the teacher may suggest further lessons.  

3. Driving Test – The driving instructor will schedule an appointment for a driving test (mivchan shlita / mivchan ma’asi), which is taken in the instructor’s car. A lesson is typically scheduled just prior to the test.

Two fees must be paid beforehand: one for the test (agrat mivchan, payable online) and one for use of the instructor’s car. The instructor will provide all necessary forms and payment information in advance.

After the test, one will be notified by phone the same day whether they passed.

If one fails, they may continue lessons until the instructor deems them ready for a retest.

4. Temporary License 

Israeli citizens will either receive their temporary license by email or can print it out from an automated licensing machine.

Foreign citizens must go to Misrad Harishui to receive the temporary driver’s license. 

To schedule an appointment call *5678 or go to govisit.gov.il and book with Misrad Hatachbura (the Ministry of Transportation) for הוצאת רישיון נהיגה. Select להמשך זימון התור. Foreigners should use their ID number beginning with 89.

Bring: Passport and visa, foreign license, and 89 number (when applicable). Originals and printed copies of each document are required.

Misrad Harishui will issue a temporary license on the spot however it is NOT valid until it is paid for.  (see below).

5. Pay the Fee – Bring the temporary license to the post office and pay in cash. (Most post offices will not accept checks or credit cards.) 

The fee depends on the license validity period and is approximately 40 NIS per year.

The temporary license only becomes valid after payment. 

The permanent license will be mailed to the address listed with The Population Authority (Misrad Hapnim) within 4-6 weeks.  If it is not received by then, call 077-998-5095.  

*Individuals over 75 years old, will need to undergo an eye exam and doctor’s exam, see here. 

First-Time Israeli License

Individuals without a foreign license or who are not Olim or A-category visa holders must: 

• Follow the “Conversion Beyond Your Time Allowance” process
• Complete at least 28 driving lessons (40 minutes each) with a certified instructor before taking the practical driving test.

Driver’s License Over Age 75

As of April 2024, the required age for medical review has been raised from 70 to 75.

Apart from the procedures detailed above, drivers over 75 must undergo a medical exam and eye test before receiving their license, whether a first-time license, first-time conversion or license renewal. 

Each doctor must fill out the appropriate section of this medical questionnaire, which the applicant must also sign.

Mail the completed and signed form along with copies of the driver’s teudat zehut or foreign passport and visa and foreign driver’s license to: 

 5810201 אגף הרישוי, מחלקת עדכון ובקרה, ת.ד. 270, חולון. 

Send by regular mail only. Registered mail will not be accepted.

For further assistance, please email support@chaimvchessed.com

License Renewal

Starting October 2021, Israeli citizens will be issued driver’s licenses valid until the age of 70, except in the following cases:

Two-Year Licenses

• First-time license holder
• Drivers aged 80+

Five-Year Licenses

• After completing the two-year New Driver period
• Drivers aged 70+

Israeli drivers licenses usually expire on your birthday.  

Teudat zehut holders will receive a new temporary paper license with a payment voucher by mail one month beforehand.  

Payment options:

• Online
• Phone (*5678)
• Self-service stand 
• Misrad Harishui branch

Non-Israeli citizens must schedule an appointment at Misrad Harishui to renew their license.  Bring:

• Passport
• Valid visa, printed copy (photo on one’s phone is not acceptable)
• Expiring Israeli license.  

Please note: A valid visa is required to renew the license, but it does not have to cover the entire duration of the new license.

Renewal is only permitted within the month prior to license expiry.

Electric Bikes and Scooters

Drivers must be age 16+ and hold either a full driver’s license or A3 license.

To obtain an A3 license: Pass a special theory test which one can register and study for online. The theory test may be taken from age 15½, after receiving a tofes yarok (see here). 

As of August 1 2024, owners of electric bikes and scooters must:

• Register their light vehicles with the Ministry of Transportation
• Affix a license plate

Misrad Harishui 

Licensing bureau of Misrad Hatachbura (the Ministry of Transportation) 

Central hotline: *5678 • rishuy.mot.gov.il

To schedule an appointment:  call *5678 or visit govisit.gov.il

Jerusalem Central

Agripas 42 (back of Binyan Klal, Yaffo 97)

Sunday – Thursday 8:00 am – 1:00 pm; Sunday 3:30 pm – 5:30 pm

Talpiot, Jerusalem

HaUman 10

Sunday – Thursday 8:00 am – 1:00 pm

Sunday and Tuesday 3:30 pm – 5:30 pm

Licensing Division – Update and Control Department

 (for drivers who are required to mail in medical questionnaires)