Transport.

Bus, train and driving in Israel.
Olim discounts, senior free travel and urban survival.

The Rav-Kav

This is your physical travel card. Without a configured profile (Oleh, Senior, Student), you pay full price with no discount.

💡 Recharge it via the Rav-Kav Online app or 'Al HaKav' machines.
Rav-Kav portal

Tram golden rule: On the tram (Jerusalem/Tel Aviv), if you do not validate within 30 seconds after boarding, it is a 180 NIS fine — even with a loaded Rav-Kav. Inspectors never negotiate.

Mobile payments

  • Pay by scanning a QR code
  • Best fare calculated automatically
  • Moovit, Pango or Cello

No need to pre-load credit anymore when you use these apps.

Israel Railways: what really matters

Fast line Jerusalem-Yitzhak Navon ↔ Tel Aviv: about 28 minutes, essential for daily commuting.

Often very crowded on Sunday mornings and Thursday evenings: plan ahead.

Real advice: always check the Israel Railways app 15 minutes before departure. Last-minute cancellations due to maintenance are common.

Israel Railways website
Official reform · since April 2025

Tzedek Tahburati — your transport rights

The "Tzedek Tahburati" (Transport Justice) reform grants significant discounts on Israeli public transport based on your personal or geographic profile. Only one profile is active at a time — the most advantageous one applies.

All eligible profiles

GRATUIT / FREE
  • Age 67+Entire network — Gold card (Zahav)
  • Discharged soldier < 1 yearFor 12 months — Chayal Meshouchrrar
  • Blind or visually impairedMisrad Havaha certificate
50% de réduction
  • Under 18Single rides + monthly passes
  • Retired woman 62–66Single rides + daily + monthly passes
  • Special-ed student (18+)Single rides + monthly passes — Hinuch Meyuhad
  • Disability 50%+Single rides + monthly passes — Bituah Leumi certificate
  • Bituah Leumi recipientSingle rides + monthly passes — income support, disability…
  • Peripheral zone (clusters 1–5)Monthly passes only — check your address on PTI
33% de réduction
  • Young adult 18–26Monthly passes
  • University / higher education studentSingle rides only

⚠️ One profile at a time. Activate the most advantageous one.

How to activate your profile

  1. 1Identify the profile that applies to you (or use the calculator below).
  2. 2Gather the required documents for that profile.
  3. 3Activate via the Rav-Kav Online app, Moovit, Pango — or at an Al HaKav service center.
  4. 4Geographic profile: valid for 2 years — renew at expiry with a recent utility bill.

Note for Olim: without a Sefach (address appendix on the Teoudat Zehout), the online geographic check at pti.org.il will not work. Visit an Al HaKav service center with your Teoudat Oleh + Arnona, water, or electricity bill from the past 3 months.

Check my eligibility on pti.org.il

Rights Calculator

Rights Calculator — Tzedek Tahburati

Answer the questions below to find your best transport discount in seconds.

Your profile

Gender (for retirement age)

Your situation — check all that apply

Geographic zone

Is your address in an eligible peripheral zone?

Please enter your age to calculate your rights.

Driving in Israel

Licence

Simplified conversion

Parking

Pango / Cello

Waze

GPS navigation

Insurance

Mandatory cover (Bitouah)

Parking: the Pango / Cello puzzle

Blue & White

Paid parking (via Pango/Cello). Free for resident permit holders.

Red & White

No parking. Immediate towing/fine risk.

Grey

Free parking, but rare in city centers.

In Tel Aviv, a blue-white curb can become residents-only from 5pm or 7pm. Always read the sign at the start of the street.

License conversion: practical rule

Foreign license held for more than 5 years: conversion is usually automatic (appointment at Misrad HaRishouy). Less than 5 years: a practical test (Control) is required.

License conversion (2026 law)

Foreign license held for more than 5 years

Direct conversion, no practical test. File fees only.

Foreign license held for less than 5 years

Simplified practical test ("Control") required.

Tofes Yarok (Green Form)

This is your digital medical file. Without it, no conversion process can start.

Book an appointment with Misrad HaRishouy before going.

Prepare your foreign license, Teoudat Zehout, passport, and requested photos/documents.

Confirm medical/exam requirements based on how long you have held your license.

Driving license portal (gov.il)

Category equivalence (FR ↔ Israel)

B ↔ B

Private car (up to 3.5t)

A / A1 / A2 ↔ A / A1 / A2

Motorcycles and scooters

C1 ↔ C1

Light utility vehicles (up to 12t)

Always verify the exact category printed on your new Rishayon.

Nahag Hadash alert (New driver)

Yellow "Nahag Hadash" sign is mandatory on the rear window.

Melve (accompanying driver) is mandatory during the first 6 months.

Zero tolerance for alcohol (near-zero legal threshold).

Road survival: priority & cameras

Red-light cameras

Amber can last about one second. Running red can cost around 1500 NIS plus license points.

Bus lanes / Netiv Plus

Driving there without authorization is prohibited and often camera-enforced.

Horn culture

In Israel it is often a driving language. Stay calm and focused.

Mini car cost simulator (monthly)

Quick estimate: insurance + parking + fuel + annual fees (registration and test).

Important yearly rule

Every year, you pay registration in Israel. The yearly test is also mandatory, except for new cars during the first 3 years.

Test: included (vehicle older than 3 years).

Estimated total monthly cost: 1310 ₪

Indicative amounts: they vary by city, insurer, vehicle usage and driver profile.

Road emergencies

100

Police

101

MDA (ambulance)

1221

Yedidim (volunteer roadside help)

Secure the scene: hazard lights, safety vest, triangle if possible.

Take photos (vehicles, plates, road) and note the exact time.

Fill an accident report form (tofess) with the other driver.

Contact your insurer immediately with photos and details.

Electric Bike — Registration

Mandatory

Every electric bike used on public roads must be registered. The process has two distinct steps.

Step 1 — Online registration (Free)

Log in to the Ministry of Transport website using your government credentials.

Enter your bike details: make, serial number (chassis) and colour.

You receive a confirmation SMS with the list of approved centres.

Step 2 — Plate production and fitting (~₪70)

Visit an approved centre with the SMS or authorisation document.

The technician prints and attaches the registration plate to your bike.

Riding without a registration plate is subject to a fine of up to ₪500.

Survival glossary

Kav

Bus / tram line

Ratzif

Platform (train)

Ihouv

Delay

Omess

Overload / crowding

Tahanah Merkazit

Central bus station (often a maze)

Hofshi Hodshi

Monthly pass

Al HaKav

Transport service point (profiles, passes, help)

Rav-Kav

Rechargeable transit card

Rishayon Nehiya

Driving license

Bitouah Hova

Mandatory insurance

Test

Annual vehicle inspection

Misrad Hatachboura

Ministry of Transport

Israel Transport FAQ

Can I drive in Israel with my foreign license?

Yes, temporarily. Then you must start the conversion process based on your driving history and status.

Do I need to pay annual vehicle registration in Israel?

Yes. The annual vehicle registration fee is generally due every year.

Is the annual Test always required?

Yes, except for new vehicles during their first 3 years.

What if I drive in a bus lane/Netiv Plus without authorization?

You may receive an automatic camera fine. Always check local road signs.

Does my electric bike need to be registered in Israel?

Yes. Online registration on the Ministry of Transport website is free. An approved centre then produces and fits the plate (~₪70). Riding without a plate can result in a fine of up to ₪500.

Need to recharge?

Manage your Rav-Kav, update your profile or load a monthly pass directly from the official portal.

Intercity trips: For city-to-city rides, check real-time schedules and platform changes on official operators.

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