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14 February 2011

ISR103692.E

Israel: Driver's licence, including its format, process to obtain one, and circumstances in which it is revoked

Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Ottawa

An example of the format of an Israeli driver's licence can be found on the website of the Israeli Ministry of Transport and Road Safety (see attachment) (Israel n.d.a).

Process for applicants with an overseas licence

Israeli government sources indicate that new immigrants (Olim) and temporary residents are able to exchange their foreign driver's licence for an Israeli one, but that they require an eye examination, medical examination, and a driving test to do so (Israel n.d.b; ibid. 2009, 118). New immigrants are allowed to convert their foreign driver's licence within three years of obtaining their new immigrant status, while temporary residents are allowed to convert it within one year of arrival (Israel n.d.b; ibid. 2009, 118).

According to the Ministry of Immigrant Absorption's Guide for the New Immigrant, the process of converting a foreign licence starts at what is known as a local Marmanet or Taldor office, where the applicant is photographed and issued a form (ibid.). The applicant is required to supply the following documents during the process: a valid overseas licence that was issued prior to arrival within Israel (and a notarized translation, if not in English), an immigrant's certificate (te'udat oleh), and an identity card (te'udat zehut) or passport (ibid., 19, 118). The applicant must also have an eye examination by an ophthalmologist or eye doctor and a physical examination by a general practitioner or family doctor (ibid., 118-119). Next, the applicant supplies the nearest licensing bureau with the form, documents, and authorization from the doctors; and makes arrangements for the driving test (ibid., 119; AACI Jan. 2010).

The Association of Americans and Canadians in Israel (AACI), a non-profit organization that helps new immigrants from North America acclimatize to Israel (AACI n.d.), explains that the driving test is coordinated by a private driving instructor whose car is used for the exam; the applicant pays a fee of approximately 350 Israeli New Shekels (ILS) (94.16 Canadian dollars (CAD) [XE.com 7 Feb. 2011a]) to 400 ILS (107.62 CAD [XE.com 7 Feb. 2011b]) to register for the road test and to pay the driving instructor for use of the car (AACI Jan. 2010). According to the Israel Government Portal, the driving test for converting foreign licences, which is called a "control capability driving test," is quicker, half the cost, and has a shorter wait time than the standard driving test (Israel n.d.b). However, if the applicant fails the test twice, he or she must take both the standard driving and written test (ibid.; AACI Jan. 2010).

Once the applicant has passed the road test, he or she must pay the licensing fee of approximately 373 ILS (100.19 CAD [XE.com 7 Feb. 2011c]) through the post office to receive a driver's licence, which is valid for 10 years (AACI Jan. 2010).

Process for new drivers

The Guide for the New Immigrant indicates that applicants without a valid foreign driver's licence must meet the following qualifications to qualify for an Israeli driver's licence:

Age 17 and over
Completion of at least 28 driving classes with an authorized instructor
Successful completion of both a practical and a theoretical driving test (Israel 2009, 119)

New drivers first receive a two-year temporary licence (ibid.; AACI Jan. 2010). During these two years, they must be accompanied by an experienced driver and post a sign stating "new driver" in the windshield (Israel 2009, 120). If they do not commit any traffic violations, they can convert the temporary licence to a permanent one after the two-year period (ibid., 119).

Circumstances for revoking an Israeli driver's licence

The Ministry of Transport and Road Safety states, on its website, that drivers can be banned from driving by a court of law, a licence bureau or the police (Israel n.d.c). For example, the Ministry states that if drivers do not appear for their medical examination at the Medical Institute for Driving when summoned, their driver's licence can be revoked (ibid.).

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References

Association of Americans and Canadians in Israel (AACI). January 2010. "Driving in Israel." <http://www.aaci.org.il/articlenav.php?id=22> [Accessed 1 Feb. 2011]

_____. N.d. "Who We Are." <http://www.aaci.org.il/articlenav.php?id=16> [Accessed 7 Feb. 2011]

Israel. 2009. Ministry of Immigrant Absorption. Guide for the New Immigrant. <http://www.moia.gov.il/NR/rdonlyres/374A8641-4D1C-4701-8EFD-2FBA0AE6289F/0/moleh_en.pdf> [Accessed 7 Feb. 2011]

_____. N.d.a. Ministry of Transport and Road Safety. "Frequently Asked Questions." <http://en.mot.gov.il/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=9: renewingyourdrivinglicence&Itemid=7&layout=default> [Accessed 1 Feb. 2011]

_____. N.d.b. Israel Government Portal. "Using a Foreign Driver's Licence in Israel." <http://www.gov.il/FirstGov/TopNavEng/EngSituations/ ESMigrantWorkersGuide/ESMWGDriversLicence> [Accessed 4 Feb. 2011]

_____. N.d.c. "Who Is Entitled to Disqualify Me from Driving?" <http://en.mot.gov.il/index.php?view=article&catid=9:renewingyourdriving licence&id=39:who-is-entitled-to-disqualify-me-from-driving&tmpl=component &print=1&layout=default&page=&option=com_content&Itemid=7> [Accessed 1 Feb. 2011]

XE.com.7 February 2011a. “Currency Conversion Results.” <http://www.xe.com/ucc/convert.cgi>[Accessed 7 Feb. 2011]

_____.7 February 2011b. “Currency Conversion Results.” <http://www.xe.com/ucc/convert.cgi>[Accessed 7 Feb. 2011]

_____.7 February 2011c. “Currency Conversion Results.” <http://www.xe.com/ucc/convert.cgi>[Accessed 7 Feb. 2011]

Additional Sources Consulted

Internet sources, including: Factiva, United Jewish Israel Appeal (UJIA).

Attachment

Israel. N.d.a. Ministry of Transport and Road Safety. "Frequently Asked Questions," 1 p.

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