[RBS] How to get Israeli drivers license

[rothenberg_marty]

It's a maze of steps, but here you go:

1. Go to Speed Optical in Beit Shemesh center (across from Bank Leumi).  Pay 30 NIS and get sight test, printed on official Misrad HaRishui form (even includes your picture).  Don't forget to bring every form of ID you can think of (including your foreign drivers license)
2. Have a physician fill out the medical portion of the form, sign and stamp it.  Any physician will do.
3. Go to Misrad HaRishui (inside the lobby of SuperSol near Big).  They will stamp the form a few times.  If you're lucky you'll get a smile too.  Go before 11am, otherwise you'll be stuck in line during hafsaka or lunch or closing time.
4. Go to Eli Dahan driving school.  Hayarden 32.  999-9888.  Hand them your forms.  If you know how to drive a stick-shift (manual), then tell them, as you will want lesson/test with stick shift car (this authorizes you to drive manual shift car in Israel, otherwise you are asking for another reason to get pulled over by the police).  You get payment form to take to post office.
5. Goto post office and pay 63 NIS (cash), and get paid receipt.
6. Wait for Eli Dahan to call you to schedule lesson.  They will pick you up at your house if you like.  One lesson is mandatory to get your license.  Eli Dahan office will tell you how much cash you need to pay for lesson and driving test.  I believe it is about 400 NIS.
7.  Eli Dahan office will tell you when your exam is.  It starts at the Supersol, same place as Misrad HaRishui.  You will not get results on the spot.  If they don't call you within one day, that means you passed.
8.  Wait 2-3 days, then go to Misrad Hapanui office.  They will hand you a temporary driver's license.
9.  Go to post office, and pay the driver license fee (another 400 NIS).  Make sure they stamp your driver's license as paid, otherwise it's not valid.
10.  Wait about a month (hope you are optimistic), and your driver's license comes in the mail.

Interesting note.  If you are buying a used car, you do not need Israeli drivers license.  But if you want to buy a new car using oleh rights, then you do need Israeli passport.

Keep a good sense of humor through the process.  You will need it!

Best of luck!

-Shmuel Rothenberg