Rules for Driving in Israel with a Foreign Driver's License:
Olim Chadashim, temporary residents, tourists and returning residents (if they resided abroad for at least 1 full year) may drive in Israel with a valid foreign driver's license for one year following their date of entry to Israel.
Olim and temporary residents may transfer their foreign driver's license within the first 3 years from their entry to Israel.
Returning residents (toshavim chozrim) are entitled to transfer their foreign license to an Israeli one provided that their license was issued at least 6 months prior to their return to Israel, and on the condition that they resided abroad for at least 6 consecutive months prior to their return to Israel.
Olim Chadashim will need to present a valid foreign driver's license issued at least 3 months prior to their entry to Israel. Returning citizens will need to present a foreign driver's license that is valid for at least 6 months before their date of entry to Israel.
Tourists can apply to transfer their foreign driver's license with their foreign passport, foreign driver's license and a valid 3-month tourist visa.
In order to obtain an Israeli driver's license, you will need to take a driving test (“Mivchan Shlita”). You are not required to take a written examination. In the event that you have multiple entries and exits to Israel in the years preceding your Aliyah, the Ministry of Vehicle Licensing reserves the right to request a written test in addition to the practical test.
Please note that in order to use your Oleh benefits to purchase a new car, you must hold a valid Israel driver's license.
Procedure for Olim to Obtain an Israeli Driver's License:
Bring your Teudat Zehut, Teudat Oleh, foreign driver's license (with photocopies of both sides) to your local branch of Marmanet or Tel Dor (MEMSI is no longer the designated agent for converting your license).
At the location, they will photograph you and give you a green form ("tofes yarok") which will need to be signed by both a physician and an eye doctor.
Go to your local office of Misrad HaRishui, the Ministry of Vehicle Licensing together with the signed paperwork (green form), foreign passport, Teudat Oleh, Teudat Zehut, and your foreign driver's license. If your license does not have the issue date written on it, you will need a letter from the licensing authorities in your state certifying that you held a valid driver's license for at least 3 months before entering Israel. You will be provided with another form (Hafnaya) which you will give to your driving instructor.
Schedule a minimum of one driving lesson with an instructor. It is up to the instructor's discretion if you need to take more than one lesson. Make sure to specify to the instructor whether you drive a manual or automatic gear.
A driving lesson costs approximately 95 NIS on a manual car and 110 NIS for an automatic car.
Your driving instructor will schedule your driving test for you, and you will take the test in the instructor's car.
Before your test (practical examination) take the Misrad HaRishui paperwork to the local post office (Bank Hadoar) and pay the 57 NIS fee for the driving test. If you fail the test the first time, you are able to take it a second time without penalty. However, if you fail the test twice you will be required to take 28 driving lessons, a theoretical examination and another practical examination.
Please note that a test taken on an automatic car will allow you to drive only on an automatic car. If you take a test on a manual car, then your license will enable you to drive both manual and automatic vehicles.
You are required to pay a 300 NIS fee for the use of the instructor's car during the exam. Driving instructors are not allowed to charge more than this amount for the use of their vehicle.
You will not be told on the spot whether you pass the test. Your driving instructor will inform you later that day.
Upon passing the test, take the paperwork to Misrad HaRishui. You will receive a temporary driver's license, and you will need to pay 359 NIS at the post office in order for your temporary license to be valid and for the processing to begin on your permanent license. Your permanent license will be mailed to your home address within 8 weeks.
All prices and rules are subject to change.
For a list of Misrad HaRishui offices around the country, please visit www.mot.gov.il or call 1-700-704370.
Aliyah 
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