Driving in Israel
People love their cars in Israel, so there are many of them on the roads and, therefore, a lot of traffic jams. While all destinations can be reached by bus or train, having a car in Israel offers greater flexibility, especially since transportation services are unavailable during the Sabbath – from Friday evening until Saturday evening, except in Haifa.
Israel's road network
Israel's road system, still relatively young, is continuously developing, undergoing frequent projects to expand, prolong, or upkeep lanes. The highways are clearly marked and generally maintained well. Nevertheless, note that a few towns cannot be reached directly from these highways, and secondary roads, particularly in the southern regions of the country, are frequently narrow and in poor condition, making them riskier to navigate. Careful driving is, therefore, essential on these roads.
Yet, these construction zones can lead to delays that Israelis occasionally struggle to deal with, given their inherent impatience. It's worth acknowledging that Israeli motorists don't consistently adhere to traffic rules. On the highways, some drivers pass on either side or even weave between vehicles. Moreover, speed limits often appear to be considered as choices rather than mandates, despite the fact that speeding is subject to penalties.
Road accidents pose a significant challenge in Israel, ranking as the primary cause of death for individuals aged 15 to 24 and the second highest cause of mortality for adults aged 25 to 44. This underscores the critical importance of exercising heightened vigilance while driving.
Regarding toll roads, it's worth mentioning that physical toll booths are absent. Instead, passages are tracked electronically, and invoices are directly sent to the registered vehicle owner. Tourists might need to settle their toll payments through rental agencies unless their contract specifies an alternative arrangement.
What permits are allowed in Israel?
Tourists exploring Israel can use their driver's license from their home country or an international license. However, residents must ensure they switch their foreign license to an Israeli one within their initial year of living there. New immigrants (referred to as “olim hadashim”) have a five-year window for this conversion. Nonetheless, after the initial year passes, they must wait for the conversion process to conclude before resuming driving in the country.
It's worth highlighting that individuals who do not possess a residence permit or are asylum seekers cannot acquire a driver's license in Israel. They must address and resolve their legal status before contemplating this course of action.
A converted driver's license remains valid for 10 years for new immigrants and 5 years for foreign workers. This implies that once these timeframes pass, they must renew their license to maintain their legal ability to drive in Israel.
How do I convert my driver's license in Israel?
To qualify for the conversion of a foreign license in Israel, the initial requirement is to have possessed the foreign license for a minimum of 5 years. Nonetheless, new immigrants with a foreign driver's license that is younger than 5 years but older than 2 years can convert it by successfully completing a driving test. They will have the opportunity to take the test twice.
For foreign driver's licenses exceeding five years in age, the process involves visiting a Ministry of Transport office and submitting specific necessary documents. These documents encompass the foreign driver's license, accompanied by an English or Hebrew translation authenticated by a notary if it's in a different language. Additionally, applicants must furnish a valid form of identification and, for new immigrants, the “téoudat olé” (a compact personal booklet confirming their status) or, for other residents, their visa.
After furnishing these documents, applicants will be given an application form to fill out, which they must submit at the counter along with the previously mentioned documents.
Apart from these administrative procedures, it's essential to undergo a vision test at an optometrist approved by the Ministry of Transport. The list of approved optometrists is provided by the Ministry. The results of this vision test will be sent directly to the Ministry's office.
Please be aware that the license conversion process incurs a fee, which can be paid online or at a post office. Once all these stages are finalized, the driver's license will be mailed to the applicant's designated address.
Registration and parking space in Israel
When purchasing a car in Israel, it's crucial to register it with the appropriate authorities. This process can be completed at a vehicle registration office, post office, or other designated establishment. The registration fee varies based on the vehicle's price, starting at a minimum of approximately 250 euros.
Car owners are also obligated to have their vehicles undergo an annual inspection test, which typically costs around 93 shekels, equivalent to approximately 25 euros.
Navigating parking in big cities can be intricate, but residents have the benefit of a parking permit that grants them free parking within their own neighborhood. To acquire this permit, you can request it from your local town hall and need to provide evidence of your residency at the specified address.
Important information:
- In Israel, traffic drives on the right-hand side of the road.
- The maximum permissible blood alcohol level at the wheel is 0.5, which means it is forbidden to drive under the influence of alcohol above this limit.
- All passengers, front and rear, must wear seat belts.
- The use of cell phones while driving is prohibited, with the exception of conversations in loudspeaker mode.
- Speed limits are as follows: 100 km/h on expressways (or freeways), 90 km/h on roads where there is a physical separation between lanes in opposite directions, 80 km/h on other roads, and 50 km/h on towns unless otherwise indicated.
It is essential to observe these road safety rules to ensure the safety of all road users in Israel.
