Transportation Minister Yisrael Katz has assigned members of his staff to make the necessary preparations to add an eighth number to Israeli license plates. No reason to become too excited as the move is scheduled to go into effect in four years. Officials explain they can no longer make do with seven numbers due to the increase in the number of vehicles in Israel. License plates in Israel do not contain letters, only numbers.

Ministry officials explain that about 230,000 new cars are registered annually, and they estimate that the additional number will have to be added in the coming years, estimating at most four. They feel an eighth number will suffice for the coming 50 years is the annual rate of new vehicles remains the same.

The new license plates will begin appearing in four years, on new vehicles only. The ministry has begun to notify the pertinent agencies and companies to begin preparing for the changeover, including government agencies, police, leasing companies, insurance companies, banks, transportation companies, Kvish 6 Authority, Carmel Tunnel Authority and others.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)