Which route applies to you
According to the Nefesh B’Nefesh guide, your full (not learner or probationary) driving history in the years right before your aliyah date decides the route.
| Your situation | What you do |
|---|---|
| A full license for 5 years or more before aliyah | The expedited route: online form, optician, documents at Misrad HaRishui. No driving test. |
| A full license for 2 to 5 years before aliyah | A short conversion driving test, מבחן שליטה (mivchan shlita). |
| A full license for less than 2 years | A theory test and the mivchan shlita, and new-driver rules afterwards. |
| Failed the conversion test twice | The full driving test that new drivers take. |
| Five years passed since aliyah without converting | A theory test (available in English) and the full driving test. |
The steps, with the Hebrew you will see
Apply online
The online application replaced the old paper טופס ירוק (tofes yarok, “green form”), and people still call it that. It can switch to English, but your name must be entered in Hebrew. You choose a דרגה (license grade), and a verification code arrives by מסרון (text message) or הודעה קולית (voice message). The last part is a medical self-declaration.
Eye test and photo
At an optician approved by the Licensing Authority: a vision test and the photo for your license. Bring your Teudat Zehut and your glasses or lenses, and confirm the results were uploaded.
Misrad HaRishui, by appointment only
Book on govisit.gov.il. Bring your Teudat Zehut, Teudat Oleh or Teudat Zakaut, your valid foreign license with a copy of both sides, and proof of how long you have held it, such as an official driving record from your DMV.
The test, if you need one
The test is taken in a driving instructor’s car, so you book it through an instructor. You pay the test fee on a form called אגרת מבחן (agrat mivchan). Lessons before the test are optional.
Pay and receive the license
You get a temporary license, which is not valid until the license fee is paid. The permanent card is posted to the address on your Teudat Zehut.
Licensing words
For road signs and the words on Israeli roads, see Israeli road signs.
- רישיון נהיגהrishayon nehigaDriver’s license.
- המרת רישיוןhamarat rishayonLicense conversion.
- רישיון זרrishayon zarForeign license.
- משרד הרישויmisrad ha-rishuiThe licensing office.
- טופס ירוקtofes yarokGreen form: the old name for the license application, still in use.
- דרגהdargaLicense grade: B is a private car, C1 a light commercial vehicle, and the A grades are for two-wheelers.
- מסרוןmisronText message, the formal word for SMS.
- הצהרת בריאותhatzharat briutMedical self-declaration.
- בדיקת ראייהbdikat reiyaEye test.
- מבחן תאוריהmivchan teoryaTheory test. In everyday speech just התאוריה (ha-teorya).
- מבחן שליטהmivchan shlitaThe short conversion driving test.
- טסטtestThe practical driving test, in everyday speech.
- מורה נהיגהmore nehigaDriving instructor.
- אגרת מבחןagrat mivchanTest fee, and the payment form for it.
- רישיון זמניrishayon zmaniTemporary license.
- נהג חדשnahag chadashNew driver: the first two years after getting an Israeli license, with extra rules for drivers under 24.
At the office and with the instructor
Male form first, female form second.
| English | Hebrew | Say it |
|---|---|---|
| I’m a new immigrant and I want to convert my license. | אני עולה חדש / עולה חדשה ואני רוצה להמיר רישיון. | ani oleh chadash / olah chadasha ve-ani rotze / rotza lehamir rishayon |
| I’ve had a license for more than five years. | יש לי רישיון כבר יותר מחמש שנים. | yesh li rishayon kvar yoter mi-chamesh shanim |
| Here is my driving record from the DMV. | הנה היסטוריית הנהיגה שלי מה־DMV. | hine historiyat ha-nehiga sheli me-ha-DMV |
| Were the eye test results uploaded? | תוצאות בדיקת הראייה עלו למערכת? | totzaot bdikat ha-reiya alu la-maarechet |
| I need a conversion test. | אני צריך / צריכה לעשות מבחן שליטה. | ani tzarich / tzricha laasot mivchan shlita |
| Automatic or manual? | אוטומט או ידני? | otomat o yadani |
| How much is a lesson? | כמה עולה שיעור? | kama ole shiur |
| Can I take the theory test in English? | אפשר לעשות את התאוריה באנגלית? | efshar laasot et ha-teorya be-anglit |
| When will the license arrive? | מתי יגיע הרישיון? | matai yagia ha-rishayon |
The licensing office texts you in Hebrew
Paste the SMS or photograph the letter and baba gives you the English, with dates, times and codes exactly as sent.
- Paste an SMS, get plain English
- Photo and PDF translation with baba Pro
- iPhone, Android and web
Get babaFree for iPhone and AndroidPoint your phone camera here. It opens baba if you have it, or the store if you don’t.
Frequently asked questions
How long can I drive in Israel on my foreign license?
One year from your entry date, according to Nefesh B’Nefesh. The year only restarts after six full consecutive months abroad.
Do I need a driving test to convert my license?
Not if you held a full license for five years or more right before aliyah. With two to five years you take a short conversion test; with less than two, a theory test as well.
Can I take the theory test in English?
Nefesh B’Nefesh says you may ask the administrator to switch the test into English, and olim who pass the five-year limit must take a theory test, which they can take in English.
Do I have to carry the license card?
Nefesh B’Nefesh notes that since 2018 Israeli drivers may drive without the physical license as long as they carry their Teudat Zehut.
Official sources
Rules, amounts and deadlines change. Check the official page before you act on anything here.
- Nefesh B’Nefesh: Converting your foreign driver’s licensechecked September 29, 2026
- Nefesh B’Nefesh: Your first steps after making aliyah (license conversion)checked September 29, 2026