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Country requirements · Israel

Do you need an International Driving Permit to drive in Israel?

Short answer
An International Driving Permit is recommended for Israel and required if your national licence is not printed in the Roman alphabet. Visitors can drive on a valid foreign licence for up to one year; an IDP is recommended for non-Latin-script licences. Israel follows the 1949 Geneva standard, so your permit must be issued in that format. At rental desks operated by Hertz, Enterprise, Alamo, Budget, Avis and Sixt, a valid IDP is a standard counter requirement for foreign licences; arriving without one can mean a refused booking or a lost deposit. Israel drives on the right and the minimum rental age is typically 17+, with a young-driver surcharge usually applied under 25. Carry your IDP together with your original national licence and passport at all times — the permit is a certified translation and never replaces your licence.
Get my permit for Israel See all countries
Daniel MercerWritten by Daniel MercerSofia LindqvistReviewed by Sofia LindqvistUpdated June 2026

Sourced from the 1949 Geneva & 1968 Vienna Conventions and rental-network policies

Israel at a glance
IDP requiredRecommended
Accepted format1949 Geneva
Minimum age to rent17+ (surcharge under 25)
Drive on theRight-hand side
Carry alongsideYour national licence + passport
CurrencyILS
Top speed limit110 km/h on Highway 6
Emergency number100 (police), 101 (ambulance)
Driving in Israel

What the rules require

When do you need an IDP in Israel?

Visitors can drive on a valid foreign licence for up to one year; an IDP is recommended for non-Latin-script licences. The permit is a recognised translation of your licence and is presented together with the original.

Does renting a car in Israel require an IDP?

Recommended; required for some non-Latin scripts. Having your permit ready avoids losing your reservation at the counter.

Driving rules in Israel you should know

  • Headlights on inter-urban roads, Nov–Mar.
  • 0.05% alcohol limit; 0.01% for new/young drivers.
  • Highway 6 uses automatic plate tolling.
  • Seatbelts mandatory.

How long is an IDP valid in Israel?

Israel recognises the 1949 Geneva Convention format, under which an IDP is valid for up to 1 year from its issue date. If you travel regularly, the validity clock starts on the issue date, not on first use — so order close to your departure to maximise usable time.

Documents checklist for driving in Israel

  • Your original national driving licence — the IDP is a translation and is never valid on its own.
  • Your International Driving Permit, in the 1949 Geneva format Israel recognises.
  • Your passport or accepted national ID for police checks and rental pick-up.
  • For rentals: the credit card used for the booking and your rental agreement (it covers the registration and insurance papers).
  • Local currency or a card for road costs — Israel uses the ILS.

Israel · common questions

01
Do I need an International Driving Permit to drive in Israel?
Visitors can usually drive in Israel on a valid foreign licence, but an IDP is required if your licence is not printed in the Roman alphabet and is recommended for car rental. Visitors can drive on a valid foreign licence for up to one year; an IDP is recommended for non-Latin-script licences.
02
Which IDP format does Israel accept, and how long is it valid?
Israel recognises the 1949 Geneva Convention format, under which an IDP is valid for up to 1 year from its issue date. Your document is prepared in exactly that convention booklet format.
03
Do I need an IDP to rent a car in Israel?
Recommended; required for some non-Latin scripts. The minimum rental age in Israel is typically 17+, and most agencies apply a young-driver surcharge under 25. Bring your IDP, your original national licence, your passport and the credit card used for the booking.
04
Which side of the road does Israel drive on?
Israel drives on the right-hand side of the road. Headlights on inter-urban roads, Nov–Mar.
05
What is the drink-driving limit in Israel?
0.05% alcohol limit; 0.01% for new/young drivers. Penalties for exceeding the limit as a foreign driver can include on-the-spot fines, vehicle impoundment and invalidated rental insurance — if in doubt, don't drive after drinking.
06
What is the speed limit in Israel?
The maximum for cars on the fastest road class in Israel is 110 km/h on Highway 6. Limits drop in built-up areas and on secondary roads, and posted signs always take precedence — speed enforcement against foreign drivers commonly arrives as a fine charged through your rental company.
07
What is the emergency number in Israel?
Dial 100 (police), 101 (ambulance) in Israel. From any GSM mobile phone, 112 also connects to local emergency services in most countries even without a local SIM. After an accident, stay at the scene, secure it (use your warning triangle where required) and notify your rental company before any repairs.
08
What documents should I carry while driving in Israel?
Carry your original national driving licence, your International Driving Permit, your passport (or national ID where accepted), and the vehicle's registration and insurance papers (your rental agreement covers these for hire cars). The IDP is a translation of your licence and is never valid on its own.
09
Is an IDP the same as a driver's licence in Israel?
No. An IDP is an official multilingual translation of your existing licence in the United Nations convention format — it does not grant driving privileges by itself and must always be presented together with your valid national licence. Note that some countries issue official government IDPs only through authorized bodies (in the US, AAA and AATA).
10
How long does it take to get an IDP for Israel?
With International Driver Licence you receive your digital IDP by email in as fast as 8 minutes — a printable 16-page convention-format PDF booklet plus a QR-verifiable wallet card you can keep on your phone. That makes it practical even if you're already at the airport or the rental counter.
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