Back in 2007, Israel’s Ministry of Transportation announced a decision to spend tens of millions NIS towards doing away with the outdated paper drivers licenses and replace them with photograph plastic licenses similar to those used in Europe. Officials explained the new licenses would be accepted in many more countries and permit Israelis to use them when traveling abroad, making certain to adapt to the European standard, a frequent holiday venue for traveling Israelis.

It has since been learned that the program which took two years to complete was not as successful as it should have been. It appears that officials in the ministry did copy the European standard, but an older one, not the one used by the EU today and as a result; the licenses are not acceptable in European nations. The standard used in the Israeli licenses was the interim standard as Europe was shifting over to a new EU standard.

The new EU standard which is not in effect replaces 110 licenses that existed previously and accepted by all EU nations. This brings an end to the process which began in 1991 to unify all the licenses to one format, now called the EU standard and the Israeli license fails to meet this standard. Therefore, Israelis wishing to drive in an EU country must get an international license before traveling.

Experts point out that many rental companies may honor an Israeli license in Europe but in the event of an accident or being pulled over by police, and Israeli driver will most likely find himself facing one who drives without a license.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)