Israel Driving Guide For Tourists

February 3, 2020 Stan

Are you planning to visit Jerusalem and seeking a good car rental Israel deal? What about your car hire Israel? Here is a useful Israel Driving Guide to help you drive safely in your car rental Israel all over the Holy Land.

International Driver’s License

Do you have an American, Canadian, and U.K. driver’s license? If so you do not an international driver’s license to drive in Israel. Well, on the other hand, it’s cheap and makes a nice souvenir of Jerusalem car rental trip. (Be sure to take pictures of your car rental Israel for you scrap book)

Israel Auto Club in Tel Aviv

Israel’s automobile club is called MEMSI… Even people living in Israel many years have no idea what MEMSI stands so don’t ask them out of courtesy… The MEMSI phone number is 03- 564-1121 and fax number is 03-566-0493. Their main office in Tel Aviv at 20 Rehov Ha-Rakevet. They are open:8:30am to 7pm, until 1pm on Friday; closed Saturday.

Israel Auto Club in Jerusalem

The Jerusalem office of MEMSI is at 31 Ben Yehuda St. (tel. 02-625-9711; fax 02-625-5994);

same office hours as Tel Aviv.

Israel Auto Club –

The Haifa office of MEMSI is at 31 Ben Yehuda St. (tel. 02-625-9711; fax 02-625-5994);

same office hours as Tel Aviv.

Importing Cars Versus Car Rental in Israel

In theory, you can bring your car to Israel for up to one year if you have a valid license and the car is licensed. The good news is there is no customs or deposit required. The bad news is the paper work, hassle and cost of sending it back home. In short, a car rental Jerusalem, car rental Tel Aviv or car rental Haifa is the way to go – less hassle and cost effective.

Israel Road Conditions

Israel is tough on cars and some older roads are narrow and full of curves. On the other hand, Israel now builds excellent highways and bridges. Jerusalem has lovely roads that are well maintained and other cities are improving road conditions. There are beautiful winding roads on the way down South to Eilat and up north to the Golan Heights.

Drivers Education in Israel

While some consider Israeli drivers overly aggressive on the road, others are polite and careful drivers. In recent years, Israel has initiated on-going driver education for young drivers and veteran drivers that teach defensive driving techniques.

Traffic Tickets in Israel

Watch your speed in Israel, there are street lights that record speeders, photograph your license plate and send you a ticket by mail. There are more speed traps than ever in Israel. Don’t ruin your vacation with an expensive ticket and having your driver’s license suspended – obey the speed and look out for tailgaters. We hope this Israel Driving Guide helps you enjoy your trip. See you in Israel.