Licence
Driving in Israel: from converting your foreign licence to getting your yellow plate.
Simplified conversion depends on two cumulative criteria: your country of origin AND how long you have held your licence. Eligible country + held for ≥ 5 years → conversion without a practical test. Below 5 years, an exam is required even from an eligible country.
Countries generally covered by a bilateral agreement (non-exhaustive list) + licence held ≥ 5 years → conversion without practical test
- France, Belgium, Switzerland, Luxembourg
- United Kingdom, Ireland
- USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand
- Germany, Netherlands, Austria, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Norway
- Most EU / EEA countries
Check your eligibility on gov.il — bilateral agreements change and conditions may be updated. Licence conversion on gov.il
Eligible countries + licence held < 5 years → exam required
- Licence held 2–5 years: practical driving exam required (no theory test)
- Licence held less than 2 years: both theory (code) AND practical driving exam required
Countries without a bilateral agreement → full process
- Morocco, Russia, Ukraine, and other countries without an agreement
- These Olim must obtain the Israeli licence from scratch (theory + practical)
Category equivalence: each category shown on your licence (B for a car, A for a motorcycle, C/D for trucks and buses...) converts separately. Holding a foreign B licence does not automatically let you drive a motorcycle or truck in Israel — check the exact category on your licence before applying for conversion.
Class D (bus) and professional licences: a different process
The rule above (eligible country + 5 years = conversion without an exam) applies only to a Class B (private car) licence. A bus (D) or other professional licence (truck...) is not covered by it — the requirements are different and stricter, even if you've held it for years back home.
- Minimum age required: 21
- A full medical exam (vision, hearing) and a clean criminal/traffic record are required
- A written AND practical exam are required in most cases, sometimes with dedicated training
- The exact process (whether it requires holding an Israeli Class B licence first) depends on your case — contact the Misrad HaRishui (*4515 or gov.il) before committing to any training
Validity period
1 year from your Aliyah date
The reference date is the one on your Teudat Oleh — not necessarily the date you physically arrived in Israel.
- Original foreign licenceValid and not expired — mandatory.
- Certified translationBy a certified translator (מתרגם מוסמך). Cost: ~100–200 ILS. Required if your licence is not in Hebrew, English, French or Arabic.
- International Driving Permit (IDP)An alternative to the certified translation. Obtain it BEFORE leaving your home country at your automobile association. Valid 1 year.
After 1 year: driving with your foreign licence becomes an offence. Risk of a high fine and licence confiscation.
For eligible countries with ≥ 5 years of licence, conversion is a purely administrative process (no exam). Available to any Oleh Hadash within 5 years of Aliyah.
- 1Eye test (Tofes Yarok)At a Ministry of Transport-approved optometrist. The green form (Tofes Yarok) is now digital and sent electronically to the ministry. Cost: 80–150 ILS. Valid for 6 months.
- 2Gather your documentsTeudat Zehut, Teudat Oleh or Misrad Haklita certificate, original foreign licence, certified translation (if language not recognised), 2 recent ID photos, Tofes Yarok.
- 3Submit your applicationOnline via gov.il (recommended) OR in person at the Misrad Harishui (לשכת הרישוי). In person: book on govisit.gov.il (Ministry of Transport) — do not show up without an appointment.
- 4PaymentApplication fee: ~250–400 ILS depending on licence category. Pay online via gov.il or on site.
- 5Receive your licenceTemporary licence (זמני) valid 6 months sent by email or mail. Permanent licence received by post within 2–4 weeks.
Required documents
- Teudat Zehut (Israeli ID card)
- Teudat Oleh OR Misrad Haklita certificate
- Original foreign driving licence
- Certified translation (if licence not in Hebrew / English / French / Arabic)
- 2 recent ID-format photos
- Tofes Yarok (optical medical certificate)
Conversion must be requested within 5 years of Aliyah to benefit from the Oleh preferential fee.
You can drive
From your Aliyah date, you can drive with your foreign licence + certified translation (or IDP).
Deadline: foreign licence
After 1 year (Aliyah date), you can no longer drive with your foreign licence. Convert it before this deadline!
Oleh benefits expire
After 5 years, the standard conversion procedure is more expensive and more restrictive. Don't miss this window.
Expired foreign licence? You can no longer drive, nor apply for conversion. You must first renew it in your country of origin — a process that is often complex from Israel.
Many Olim arrive in Israel without a driving licence. The good news: the Israeli licence can be obtained in a language you know, and the procedures are well documented.
- 1Eye testSame Tofes Yarok as for conversion. First step for everyone.
- 2Choose a driving schoolRegister at a driving school (בית ספר לנהיגה). Prefer schools used to Olim that offer the theory exam in English.
- 3Theory exam (Toeria)Available in English, French, Russian, Arabic and other languages. 30 questions, 24/30 to pass.
- 4Driving lessonsMinimum 28 lessons required. In practice, most adults need 35 to 50 lessons.
- 5Practical testWith your instructor + an external examiner. High fail rate (~50%) — it's perfectly normal to retake it.
- 1Eye test (Tofes Yarok)At an approved optometrist. Digital form sent directly to the ministry. — 80–150 ILS
- 2Theory exam (Toeria תיאוריה)Available in English, French, Russian, Arabic and other languages. 30 questions, 24/30 to pass. Can be taken online or at a testing centre. Retakeable if failed (additional fee). — ~150 ILS
- 3Driving lessonsMinimum 28 mandatory lessons (45 min each). Most adults need 35–50 lessons. Choose a school familiar with Olim. — 150–200 ILS / lesson
- 4Practical test (Test נהיגה)With instructor + external examiner. ~50% fail rate — it's normal to retake. Each additional attempt is charged separately. — ~500 ILS
Some driving schools offer lessons in English. Ask explicitly when you register.
Nahag Hadash status (new driver)
If you get your Israeli licence by taking the test (theory and/or practical), you're subject to Nahag Hadash status like any local new driver: a mandatory distinctive sign on the vehicle and restrictions during a probationary period (accompaniment, highway limitations depending on the stage). The exact rules change — check current conditions on gov.il or with Misrad HaRishui (*4515) before driving alone.
Conversion (foreign licence → Israeli)
Estimated total
~400–750 ILS
Duration
2–4 weeks
Full licence (from scratch)
Estimated total
~5,500–11,000 ILS
Duration
3–8 months
Did you know?
Some employers, NBN (Nefesh B'Nefesh) or Olim support organisations offer subsidies for driving lessons. Ask at the Misrad Haklita.
Ready to hit the road?
Don't postpone your eye test — it's the first step in the whole process and only takes 20 minutes. Many Olim lose their benefits simply by procrastinating.
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