Israel Licensing Authority — Driver's License in Israel

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Driver%27s_license · 2026

Overview

In Israel, a driver’s license (רישיון נהיגה, rishyon nehiga) is required to operate a motor vehicle. The licensing authority in Israel is the Ministry of Transport (משרד התחבורה).

Vehicle Categories in Israel

Israel uses a category system for driver’s licenses, covering:

• Category A – Motorcycles
• Category B – Private passenger cars (standard license for most drivers)
• Category C – Trucks and heavy vehicles
• Category D – Buses and minibuses
• Category E – Articulated vehicles (trailers)

New Immigrants (Olim) — Converting a Foreign License

New immigrants (Olim Hadashim) who hold a valid foreign driver’s license may be eligible to convert it to an Israeli license without taking a full driving test, depending on the country of origin and bilateral agreements.

General Process:

1. Visit a licensed driving test center (מרכז בחינות) or the Ministry of Transport office.
2. Submit your valid foreign driver’s license, Israeli ID (Teudat Zehut), and passport.
3. Undergo a vision/eye examination.
4. Depending on your country of origin, you may need to pass a theory test, a practical driving test, or both.

Countries with Simplified Conversion (no full test required — check current status with the Ministry of Transport):

Certain countries have reciprocal agreements with Israel. Holders of licenses from countries such as the USA, Canada, UK, Australia, France, Germany, and others may qualify for a simplified conversion process. Always verify the current list with the Israeli Ministry of Transport, as agreements change.

International and Interstate Considerations

Moving Permanently to Israel

When moving permanently to Israel, holders of a foreign driver’s license should:

• Convert their foreign license within one year of receiving Israeli residency/citizenship (rules may vary — confirm with the Ministry of Transport).
• Be aware that an International Driving Permit (IDP) alone is generally not sufficient for long-term residence; an Israeli license must eventually be obtained.
• Retain the original foreign license, as it may be required during the conversion process.

Use for Identification

In Israel, the driver’s license is accepted as a secondary form of identification but is not a substitute for the Teudat Zehut (Israeli ID card) for official government purposes.

Organ Donation

The Israeli driver’s license may include an organ donation declaration. New immigrants can register their organ donation preference through the Israeli Adi organization or note it on their license.

Useful Contacts

• Ministry of Transport (משרד התחבורה): https://www.gov.il/en/departments/ministry_of_transport_and_road_safety
• Driving Test Centers: Operated through the Ministry of Transport across Israel.
• Phone: *5678 (Ministry of Transport hotline)