Driving In Israel With a Foreign Driver’s License

Driving in Israel with a foreign driver’s license – under what conditions is it allowed? This is a question that concerns many people visiting Israel and those who’ve just moved their center of life to Israel.

The following article summarizes the laws and regulations that apply to people who wish to drive in Israel using their foreign driver’s license. There are differences between foreign residents and Israeli residents, and between different vehicle types.

This article only covers the regulations regarding private cars (B category driving license) and motorcycles (A2 category, A1 category, and A category).

Foreign residents

When are foreign residents eligible to drive in Israel with a foreign driver’s license?

Foreign residents (including tourists, B visa holders, etc.) who wish to drive in Israel with their foreign driver’s license must meet all of the following conditions:

1. A minimum age –
   • For B license category – 16 years and 9 months old;
   • For A2 license category (motorbike up to 125 cc, including electric) – 16 years old;
   • For A1 license category – 18 years old;
   • For A license category – 21 years old.
2. Not disqualified from obtaining a driver’s license in Israel.
3. It’s been up to one year since the last entry into Israel. “Last entry” – last entry into Israel before which they had been outside Israel for at least three consecutive months.
4. Entered Israel legally and was granted a visa (including regular touristic entry).
5. The category on your foreign driver’s license matches the vehicle you are driving in Israel.

If it’s been over a year since you last spent 3 consecutive months outside of Israel, you cannot drive using your foreign driver’s license anymore. Before the one-year period comes to an end, it’s best to convert your license and get an Israeli one.

Please visit our step-by-step guide on how to convert your foreign driver’s license to an Israeli driver’s license.

Important! To drive a small motorbike in Israel, you need a specific motorbike license. having a B-category driver’s license is not enough, unlike in some European countries.

Israeli Residents

When are Israeli residents eligible to drive in Israel with a foreign driver’s license?

Israeli residents (including A5 visa holders, returning residents, etc.) who wish to drive in Israel with their foreign driver’s license must meet all of the following conditions:

1. Minimum age as specified above.
2. Not disqualified from obtaining a driver’s license in Israel.
3. Stayed outside of Israel for at least one consecutive year, in the two years before the last entry to Israel. “Last entry” – last entry into Israel before which they stayed outside Israel for a period of 14 consecutive days.
4. It’s been up to one year since the last entry into Israel.
5. The category on your foreign driver’s license matches the vehicle you are driving in Israel.

If all of those conditions are met, an Israeli resident can drive in Israel with their foreign license for up to one year since their last entry to Israel.

Check when you last entered Israel after spending at least 14 days abroad. Then, look back two years from that entry date. If you didn’t spend at least one full year outside of Israel during those two years, you cannot drive in Israel with your foreign driver’s license! It’s time to convert your license to an Israeli one!

Conclusion

In most cases, foreigners living in Israel can drive with their foreign driver’s license for up to a year after their move to Israel. Make sure you don’t drive with a foreign license after the allowed period has elapsed.

In addition, don’t forget to arrange compulsory insurance before driving, as this is another legal requirement for driving in Israel.