Issuing a Professional Driving License for a Public Vehicle or a Heavy Vehicle

After receiving criminal background check authorization, the Licensing Authority will contact the Israel Police and request the applicant’s up-to-date criminal record and driving record. 

If the applicant has a criminal record or open proceedings or a traffic violation, the Licensing Authority will consider whether to grant the request for a professional driving license and notify the applicant of the decision by mail or mobile phone.

The applicant will receive a rejection notice or alternately, a summons to have a medical screening and eligibility test conducted by a physician accredited by the licensing authority or a concessionaire.
 

Pay a Medical Test Fee.

After paying, upload payment confirmation and a digital medical information summary from your health fund on the Adding Documents to Professional Categories form.

• The accredited physician is responsible for the summons for the tests, the tests themselves, and the decision.
• The screening process includes: a physical checkup, cognitive tests to test mental fitness, and an interview with a psychologist. Bring a medical summary from your treating physician and fee payment confirmation.
• After receiving confirmation from the certified physician, the applicant will receive the licensing authority’s go-ahead for the theoretical accreditation.

Further information on the Road Safety Medical Institute.
 

Theoretical Accreditation

• The applicant must complete a 150-hour theoretical course from one of the transportation colleges supervised by the Ministry of Labor.
• Upon graduation, you will receive a certificate attesting to the completion of a professional vehicle course.

Please note classes are taught in Hebrew and Arabic.

Theoretical Test

You are required to sign up for and pass a written theoretical test for professional vehicles and heavy vehicles at one of the theoretical centers across the country.

Practical Accreditation

• After passing the theoretical test, you must take practical driving lessons at one of the licensing schools for public vehicles and heavy vehicles.
• You must pass a practical driving test (road test).
• Category update:
  • For applicants with private vehicle licenses – the category is updated automatically, follow instructions received via text message.
  • For applicants with professional vehicle licenses – upon passing the practical test, you must go to the Licensing Bureau with an advance appointment to complete the process and receive the license.

You may pay the driving license fee in one of the following ways:

• Online
• At self-service kiosks
• At Israel Post offices

The driving permit will only enter into force, and you may only drive, after the fee is paid.

Upon receiving the new license category, get your picture taken at one of the authorized photo stations and present valid identification (ID card, passport or existing driving license) and provide your mobile phone number (to update the delivery address).

After your picture is taken, a text message will be sent on how to receive your licenses and the delivery address, to be updated within 2 business days; you must confirm receipt of text messages upon having your picture taken at the photo station.

To change the license delivery method.

For your information:

• Applicants must be 18 or older.
• The payment for the C1 category driving license has been paid.
• There are no other categories in the license.

You can drive vehicles of categories up to C1 until you receive your permanent license by mail, under the above conditions.

Please note that the driving license category is not updated automatically. After you turn 18, visit one of the licensing offices - by advance appointment - to add the category.