Driving Licences in Israel for B/1 and A/5 Holders
Foreign partners living in Israel through the gradual process need to arrange an Israeli driving licence before their permission to drive with a foreign licence expires. This can be done during B/1. There is no need to wait for A/5.
A foreign licence generally covers an initial period of up to one year, subject to the rules below. Receiving or renewing B/1 or A/5 does not automatically extend that period. This guide covers private cars.
Driving with a Foreign Licence During B/1
For B/1 holders who are not Israeli residents under the driving regulations, a valid foreign licence allows driving for up to one year from the qualifying entry into Israel. This is the latest entry immediately preceded by at least three consecutive months abroad.
A short holiday does not restart the year. Someone who moves to Israel in January and takes a two-week holiday in August still counts from January.
The foreign licence must already have been valid at that qualifying entry and must remain valid while driving. It must cover the vehicle, and the driver must meet Israel's age requirements and have no applicable driving disqualification. Police guidance, page 22
Receiving A/5 Does Not Restart the Driving Year
A/5 does not give the foreign partner another year on their foreign licence.
Residents have a separate rule: they must have spent at least one continuous year abroad during the two years before the relevant return to Israel. That return must itself follow at least 14 consecutive days abroad. The foreign licence must already have been valid at that return and must remain valid while driving. If these conditions and the other driving requirements are met, it can be used for up to one year from that return.
A two-week holiday alone is insufficient. Partners who have continued living in Israel during B/1 should arrange conversion before their existing driving permission ends. Police guidance, page 21
Conversion and Driving Tests
Conversion means obtaining an Israeli licence based on an existing foreign licence.
- Permanent foreign licence held for at least five years: exemption from the conversion driving test and eyesight check, with proof of the original issue date.
- Less than five years: the standard route includes an eyesight check and a vehicle-control driving test, called a mivchan shlita. Applicants do not need to wait for five years' experience before applying.
After two unsuccessful conversion tests, the ordinary checks and examinations are required. These rules are set out in the Ministry's circular.
Identification During B/1 and A/5
B/1 holders without an Israeli ID need a Ministry of Transport identification number beginning with 89. This number is used in the driving-licence application.
To obtain it, attend a Licensing Office with your valid passport and stay permit and ask for an identification number for a driving-licence application. The Ministry's conversion instructions say this visit does not require an appointment. Keep the document showing the number.
A/5 holders who already have an Israeli ID use their Israeli ID number.
Documents Required for Conversion
Prepare:
- The original, valid foreign driving licence.
- A passport and valid Israeli stay permit.
- An Israeli ID or 89-number document.
- An entry-and-exit report covering the last five years.
- Confirmation of the original permanent-licence issue date when claiming the five-year exemption.
- A notarized translation if the licence is not in English.
Residents eligible for the online service can request the entry-and-exit report through PIBA's application, which supplies the preceding seven years. B/1 holders without access to that service should print and complete the AS/12 request form on the last page of the linked procedure, using their passport details. Take the form and passport to their local Population Authority office. Ask for the report for driving-licence conversion. This report service does not require an appointment.
Request proof of the original licence issue date from the licensing authority that issued the foreign licence, through its official website or office. There is no single Israeli form for this document. A renewed card may show only its latest issue date, so an official licensing record can establish the earlier experience.
If translation is needed, arrange it directly with a notary who works in the licence's language. Bring the original licence and translation. The Ministry accepts a copy of the first-issue-date confirmation; the other required documents should be originals. Official checklist
The Application Process
- Obtain an 89 number if needed, as explained above. A/5 holders with an Israeli ID use that number instead.
- Complete the Ministry's online application. Enter your Israeli ID or 89 number, select category B for a private car, and complete the personal details and medical declaration. Keep your mobile phone available for verification and instructions.
- Attend an authorized photography station from the Ministry's directory. Bring your Israeli ID or passport and 89-number document if applicable. Have your photograph taken and complete the eyesight check unless exempt.
- Book a foreign-licence conversion appointment using the Ministry's official appointment link. Have your Israeli ID or 89 number ready. Call *4515 if you need booking assistance.
- Attend with the required documents. The Licensing Office checks the application and identifies any tests still needed. If a conversion driving test is required, contact a licensed instructor or driving school and ask to arrange a mivchan shlita for foreign-licence conversion. Practical-test booking is handled through the school, not through GoVisit. Arrange the vehicle and meeting place with the instructor; bring identification, proof of the required test-fee payment, and glasses or contact lenses if needed.
- After approval, pay the licence fee using the payment instructions provided with your issued licence. For the foreign-resident conversion route, the Ministry's instructions specify payment at an Israel Post branch after receiving the temporary licence. Its general licence-issuance service also lists digital payment and self-service stations. Do not assume that every payment method is available for your licence. Check that the licence is valid and the fee has been paid before driving.
The Ministry recommends starting at least 60 days before the end of the first year in Israel. The permanent card is sent to the address registered with the Population and Immigration Authority, so check that the address is current.
Conversion After the First Year
An application can still be possible after permission to drive on the foreign licence ends. The foreign-resident conversion route requires a valid stay permit and application within five years of entry. The resident route requires at least six consecutive months abroad after obtaining the foreign licence and application within five years of return.
These application deadlines do not extend driving permission. Once that permission expires, stop driving until you have a valid Israeli licence. The Ministry recommends starting conversion at least 60 days before the end of the first year in Israel. Official procedure
Glossary: Key Hebrew Terms
If you are going through the spouse or partner visa process in Israel, you may come across Hebrew terms in official documents, communication, or during the interview.
Here are some of the most common ones:
- משרד הרישוי (Misrad HaRishui) - Licensing Office.
- המרת רישיון נהיגה (Hamarat rishayon nehiga) - driving-licence conversion.
- מבחן שליטה (Mivchan shlita) - the driving test used for licence conversion.
Important:
This guide is for informational purposes only and is based on publicly available sources and practical guidance. It is not an official government publication and is not legal advice. Procedures may change. Always verify current requirements with the official Population and Immigration Authority (Misrad Hapnim) and relevant official sources.