How to get a driver’s license in Israel

Whether you’re a new immigrant, a long-term resident, or a foreign national planning an extended stay, having a valid Israeli driver’s license can make daily life far more convenient. From navigating local roads to renting a car or even applying for certain jobs, a license is often essential. But Israel’s licensing process can be complex—especially for those unfamiliar with local regulations, language, or bureaucracy. The rules vary depending on your citizenship, the country where your current license was issued, and how long you’ve been in Israel.

Eligibility criteria for obtaining a driver’s license

Before you can get behind the wheel in Israel, it’s essential to understand who is eligible to apply for a driver’s license. The requirements differ depending on whether you’re a new driver, an oleh (new immigrant), a temporary resident, or a tourist. Israel’s Ministry of Transport sets clear criteria to ensure that only individuals who are physically, mentally, and legally fit are permitted to drive. Rights are not given to everyone. There is no such thing that you came with a desire to receive a document, and they are given to you immediately. Even before you need to provide Israeli documents, it is worth checking whether the potential driver complies with the rules. Among the main conditions are:

• One of the main requirements is coming of age. A person must be at least 18 years old, as they must understand the full responsibility for following the rules. In addition, adults over the age of eighteen must be Israeli citizens or have a residence permit.

• Driving a car is not the most difficult action, but you need to have good health to be allowed to drive. A standard medical check-up includes an examination by a therapist. If there are any problems, you will have to go through other specialists to prove your normal state of health. But doctors don’t check for all diseases. Only those that can affect the ability to drive a car are important. Epilepsy, hearing or vision problems, as well as mental disorders are things that can hinder the receipt of documents. Doctors are also asked to take several tests. For example, they check for alcohol and drugs.

• Naturally, driving a car should be according to the rules, and you need to know these rules. Firstly, this is theoretical knowledge. These are the rules of the road, the rules of driving, etc. And the second condition is the ability to drive a vehicle. If you do everything right and pass the exam, then you can immediately get behind the wheel.

Meeting the eligibility requirements is the first and most important step in obtaining your Israeli driver’s license. Whether you’re converting a foreign license or applying as a first-time driver, making sure you meet the age, residency, health, and legal standards will save you time and frustration later in the process. Once you’ve confirmed your eligibility, you can move on to the next steps—gathering documents, scheduling tests, and navigating Israel’s licensing system with greater confidence.

Step-by-step application process

If someone decides to get a license and drive their vehicle legally, then they will have to go through all the stages. You can’t skip or shorten anything. This is a standard procedure that is the same for everyone. Let’s look at what needs to be done.

1. Obtaining a medical certificate. The very first stage, which cannot be bypassed or skipped, is passing a medical examination. This should be done even before the training begins, because during the training you will also have to drive, and with some diseases this is prohibited and even dangerous. This stage does not take much time, as the check usually takes place in one day.
2. Sign up for a course of study. The next stage is training, which is allowed only in a professional driving school. You need to choose such a school. Before enrolling in the course, it is better to check the reputation of the school, the conditions and the team in order to choose the most convenient option for yourself. When a driving school is selected, it’s worth signing up for the course. Usually, students are offered not only theoretical knowledge, but also practical skills in driving a vehicle. There is no exact number of lessons that will be completed. It all depends on the skills of the students. On average, the training takes from several weeks to several months.
3. Passing the theoretical test. When the training is fully completed, it is worth taking an exam that confirms the acquired knowledge and skills. First there is a theoretical exam, where it is worth answering a few questions about traffic rules, road signs, etc. The standard test is taken on a computer, where they offer questions with multiple choice answers. The student should answer all the questions, and it is required to get a certain number of correct answers in order to pass the test.
4. Passing the practical test. The driving test is open only to those who have successfully completed the theoretical part. This is usually a simple exam. It is required to prove that a person knows the rules and can drive in various conditions. An examiner is always in the car with the student, who checks the technique and skills and then sets the final result.

When all the Israeli exams are successfully passed, you can get your license. But in Israel, you can drive right after the exam, since temporary licenses are immediately issued. You can get a permanent option within a couple of months. And this document already gives full access to the management of the vehicle.

Required documents and fees

A new license is an official document, and as with any document that is legally valid in the country, it is required to be verified. And the first check is the availability of a certain package of papers. The standard list includes:

The medical certificate is also required for payment, and will cost about 100 shekels. And you will have to pay up to 300 shekels for all procedures, including exams.

Theory and practical driving tests

The standard exam consists of two parts, and this is logical. A Israeli driver should not only be able to drive, but also know how to drive properly and what rules to follow so that driving is not only comfortable, but also safe.

• The theoretical exam

Traffic rules, road signs, standard and non–standard situations on the road are the basis of what the exam consists of. These questions in theory are aimed at checking the safety rules. Everything is given in the form of a test, so you need to choose the correct answer. If at least 80% of the answers are correct, then it is considered that everything is passed. If it’s less than that, you’ll have to take it all again. And if everything is successful, then you can move on to the next phase.

• Practical exam

The second part is the need to prove that a person can drive a vehicle and is able to do so in various situations. An examiner is present at the exam, who gives tasks and looks at how well and correctly they are performed. Driving around the city, parking, etc. are required parts.

Converting a foreign driver’s license

In Israel, there are certain agreements with some countries that determine the legality of foreign driver’s licenses. rights from some countries are considered as legitimate as domestic licenses. For some, it is possible not to complete the training, but only to take the exam immediately. But sometimes you have to go through the whole procedure from the very beginning. These points are worth checking out initially.

Tips for a successful application

In principle, it is not so difficult to pass the exam and go through the whole procedure if everything is done correctly. The main thing is to prepare the documents and complete all the training. The main recommendations are to pass everything the first time.:

• Prepare for exams carefully. The theoretical part is no less important, so you should prepare carefully. It is necessary to read all the materials and literature in which all the rules are indicated. These are not only driving rules, but also road signs, specific situations on the road, etc. It will be more difficult for foreigners to familiarize themselves with the rules, so you should choose driving schools that offer adapted programs specifically for foreigners and immigrants.
• Practice driving. The more practice you have, the higher your chances of passing the driving test. It is better to take as many lessons as possible from professional instructors. Driving, parking, and maneuvering skills will grow, and everything will be easy to pass on the exam the first time.
• Be careful and calm during the exam. The main thing is to prepare well, and then you won’t be nervous anymore. Just go to the exam calmly and confidently to do everything the way you learned it. The calmer you are, the better and faster you can make a decision.

Getting behind the wheel is not difficult, but the main thing is to follow all the rules and complete all the stages. Collect the documents, choose a driving school and go through the training according to all the rules. This is the only way to pass everything quickly without unnecessary nerves and problems. Almost everyone sooner or later receives a coveted document with which they can finally get behind their car and conquer the roads. And Israel is a good place to drive on the roads and enjoy the views.