According to Israeli LAW, you may drive up to one year from the moment you first entered Israel, using your non-Israeli Driver’s License or International license. Within the first year of arrival in Israel, anyone who intends to drive in Israel must convert to an Israeli Driver’s License.
Failure to convert to an Israeli license will prevent you from being covered by the local mandatory insurance as soon as your first 12 months in Israel come to an end.
Conversion to an Israeli driver’s license needs to be finalized within a year of your first date of entrance into Israel!
Below is a short description of the process involved:
Note: The exact process is subject to change and it is a good idea to check with your Relocation Consultant before setting out to do this task.
If your license is not in English, you must first arrange for a translation and notarization of your foreign driving license.
Step 1: Set up an appointment online at the nearest, MoT office that supports driver’s license conversions.
At this appointment, request a temporary ID number or, a fictitious ID number. This temporary ID number can only be used for the purpose of obtaining a local driver’s license. Once you’ve received a temporary ID number, you have to fill out an online form, (only available in Hebrew). After filling this out, hit send. (https://govforms.gov.il/mw/forms/RishumTheory@mot.gov.il).
Step 2: You will need to go to a designated optician’s shop where they will take your photo for the Israeli license. You may need to obtain a stamp. If you wear glasses, a vision exam may be required.
Step 3: It may be necessary to make an appointment for the Ministry of Interior (MOI) office to request that they issue a MOI certificate confirming entry/exits dates to/from Israel (However, not all local offices of the MoT request this).
Step 4: Go to the post office to pay the fee for your Israeli driver’s license and remember to have your temporary driver’s license stamped (or it will not be valid).
Note: After following these steps, you may need to make another appointment to go back to the MoT with all of the documents you have obtained.
Make sure that you have with you all of the necessary documentation.
What to expect during this process?
This process can be one of the most frustrating that you will experience in Israel. Although there are set rules in place for what forms are needed, it may seem to you that not every person working at the MoT office will have the same requirements (and this is totally probable).
It is advisable to begin this process well in advance, as it can often take several trips to these offices. Driving with an invalid driver’s license may nullify your local mandatory insurance!
It is best to go into this process with expanded patience and be ready to take many deep breathes. Eventually your Israeli driver’s license will arrive.
