Cars

	Buying Duty FreeCustomsDrivingImportingInstitute Sticker
	InsuranceLicenseParkingRentalsSelling

 Buying a duty free car in Israel

(a)	Up to 6 months	Free of customs (bank guarantee* for the amount of taxes set by Customs).
(b)	From 6 - 12 months	You ask for a prolongation of stay from Customs, with a new bank guarantee*.
(c)	Over a year	The car has to be taken out of the country. Otherwise, you will have to register the car as an Israeli car, and pay the relevant taxes. These taxes are based on the value of the car in Israel, and are significant.
* The deposit guarantee will be refunded or canceled, if the car is exported from Israel by the required date. If the car is not exported by the required time, the deposit will be forfeited.

 Customs
Papers needed for registration / extension of stay:

• Your driver's license
• Car registration in your name or accompanying person
• License plates
• Valid insurance certificate
• Valid passport + visa
• Letter from your host stating that you are a visiting scientist or a postdoctoral fellow

 Driving
According to Israeli law:

• Seat belts must be worn at all times by both front and back seats passengers.
• Headlights must be turned on in daylight when driving on intercity roads between November 1 - April 1.
• Children under 12 years old are not allowed in the front seat (unless they are infants in a safety seat).

• Driving in Israel is on the right side of the road.
• Distances and speed limits are marked in kilometers.
• Speed limit:
  • 50 Km/h (31 Miles) in urban areas
  • 90 Km/h (56 Miles) on inter-city roads, unless otherwise stated
• Road signs are normally featured in Hebrew, English and Arabic.
• When renting a car, drivers must be over 21 years old, and hold a valid drivers license. (For most nationalities there is no need for an International Drivers License).
• Crossing the border to Sinai or Jordan in a rented car is not allowed.
• Before renting a car, check if your credit card company covers insurance, as some rental companies' rates include insurance.

 Importing a Car
You cannot import a car which is over four years old. If the car remains in the country:

(a)	Up to 6 months	Customs might ask for a bank guarantee* for the amount of taxes set by Customs.
(b)	From 6 - 12 months	Partial tax deposit.
(c)	Over a year	The car has to be taken out of the country. Otherwise, you will have to register the car as an Israeli car, and pay the relevant taxes. These taxes are based on the value of the car in Israel, and are significant.
* The deposit guarantee will be refunded or canceled, if the car is exported from Israel by the required date. If the car is not exported by the required time, the deposit will be forfeited.

 Institute Sticker
The Security department gives out Institute car stickers to all staff members. Visiting Scientists may receive one, providing they leave a NIS 500 deposit at the Security Office, located at the main gate.

 Insurance
If you prefer, cars and drivers may be insured by out-of-the-country insurance. Israeli law demands compulsory insurance. Check with your insurance company if your home car insurance conforms to Israeli standards.

 License
Your regular driver's license, or international driver's license, must be replaced by an Israeli license one year after your first date of entry into the country. For more information refer to the government's License Bureau pamphlet.

To change your license to an Israeli one you will need:

• a Change of driver's license form, which you can obtain from the Holon Bureau of Motor Vehicles Registration (Misrad Ha'rishui) .
• an eye examination
• a medical examination (involves filling out a questionnaire)
• a number of driving lessons (call us for information on driving schools)
• to pass a driving test.

• Go to the Holon Bureau of Motor Vehicles Registration, together with
  1. a copy of your passport
  2. a copy of your driver's license
  3. a copy of your visa
• You will receive instructions as to how to proceed from there.

 Parking
There are 5 types of parking zones in Israel:

Blue and white	Parking allowed with parking cards only. (Parking cards may be purchased at kiosks and post offices; a universal parking card may be purchased at gas stations.)
Red and white	No parking allowed.
Red and yellow	Reserved for buses.
Continuous white	Reserved for street residents. A white line on top of the pavement and blue and white on the curb indicates that the area is reserved for street residents (usually) from 7:00 PM to 7:00 AM. On Achad Ha'am Street, parking is reserved for street residents from 5:00 PM to 7:00 AM.
Blue rectangle on the street	Reserved for the handicapped.

 Rentals
We strongly suggest using only known and reliable companies. Some helpful information is available at http://www.inisrael.com/helloisrael.net/refer/transp.htm.

 Selling an imported / free of taxes car
You may sell your imported car.... if:

• all taxes have been paid
• the car is less than 4 years old
• the car model and category are recognized in Israel by the Ministry of Transportation
• the car's steering wheel is on the left hand side