Although, Israeli drivers are known as impatient, driving in Israel is not harder than other countries. Foreign visitors, as well as new immigrants and returning citizens, may drive in Israel with their foreign driving permit and International driver licenses in a corresponding category for one year from date of their entry. However, they must be in age which Israel requires for that category. If foreigner stays in Israel more than one year, he/she must obtain an Israeli driver license. For exchanging foreign driver license to Israeli, it is required (category: motorcycle, passenger car, and vehicles up to 15 tons): 

  • Passport;
  • A valid foreign driving license, issued at least six months prior to entering Israel;
  • Vision and medical tests;
  • A vehicle control capability test;

If an applicant has held a valid foreign driver license at least two years before entering Israel, he/she may be exempted from the vehicle control capability test.

In Israel, road signs are generally in Hebrew, English, and Arabic. All roads are numbered accordingly to their direction. Roads with even numbers run from the north to the south of country; low numbers indicate roads that are closer to the south. Odd numbered roads run from the east to the west; low numbers indicate roads that are closer to the west. Road number 6 is only a toll road in Israel. If you rent a vehicle in Israel, you will sign an agreement not to drive on the road number 6. Otherwise, you will be required to pay later after your term of lease. For renting a car, drivers should be over 21 years and no older than 75 years old, and you must hold a valid driving license. We recommend you to obtain an International driver license before your will rent a car in Tel Aviv.

The main Israeli road traffic laws are:

  • Your valid driver license, car registration document, and insurance must be with you all the time while driving.
  • Traffic flows on the right-hand side of the road.
  • Distances and speed limits are marked in kilometers.
  • Speed limits are: in urban areas, 50 km/h (31 mph); on inter-city roads (if it is not other signs), 90 km/h (56 mph).
  • Drivers and all passengers must wear seatbelts.
  • Child seats are required up to 8 years of age. Children under one year must be transported in a rear-facing seat. If baby is in the front seat, the airbag must be deactivated. Children from 1 to 3 years must sit in a safety seat. Children from 3 to 7 years must be placed in a safety seat or use a booster seat and seat belt.
  • The first aid kit, warning triangle, fire extinguisher, and yellow reflective vest are required.
  • It is illegal to use a cell phone without a hands-free system while driving.
  • From 1 November to 31 March, car lights must be on at all the times.
  • Driving under the influence of alcohol is absolutely forbidden. The permitted blood alcohol level is 0.05%.
  • A right turn on a red light is strictly prohibited, it is only allowed on the green light or green arrow.
  • If you need stop on the side of the road, you must put on the yellow vest.
  • Parking on red and white sidewalk marks is prohibited. Parking on blue and white sidewalk marks requires a parking fee.
  • Yellow marking line of the road is only for public transportation.
  • Pedestrians have the right of way.  If a pedestrian puts his/her foot into the crosswalk, you must stop your vehicle.
  • If the green light starts flashing, it means that light will change from green to yellow.

In addition to listed, we advise you to avoid driving in cities through the rush hours: from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. and from 4 to 6 p.m. In case of an accident, call 100 for the Police.

On some roads, you may meet roadblocks. To reduce problems, always carry your passport as well as your driver license while driving. It is not allowed to cross the border to Sinai or Jordan with hired vehicles.
 

Israel Road Traffic Signs

Israel Road Vocabolary

 Driving Overseas - Short Information