Registration, rishayon rechev and the annual test in Israel

Unlike in many countries, where the registration document is issued once and for all, in Israel the car’s document is renewed every year, and so is the test once the first years have passed. Here is the calendar and the steps.

When you buy: registered before delivery

For a new car, the 2016 motor trade law requires the seller to register it in the buyer’s name before handing it over. You receive the car with its plates and its registration certificate, the rishayon rechev, which shows the owner, the model and the expiry date.

The calendar of a new car

1. 1
   Deliveryregistered in your name
2. 2
   Years 1 to 3yearly renewal, no test
3. 3
   From year 4annual roadworthiness test (test) every year
4. 4
   Every yearlicence fee and valid compulsory insurance

A new private car owned by an individual is exempt from the test for its first 3 years. After that, the test is taken every year at an approved test centre (machon rishui), before the rishayon rechev is renewed.

Renewing the rishayon rechev every year

The registration certificate is renewed every year for a licence fee (agrat rishui), whose amount depends on the car’s category. The Ministry of Transport sends a payment notice before the due date. Renewal requires valid compulsory insurance and, from year 4, a passed test.

The roadworthiness test (test)

The test checks, among other things, the brakes, lights, tyres, steering and emissions. If a fault is found, the car must be repaired and presented again. Book a little before the due date: test centres are busy at the end of the month.

When you sell the car: transfer of ownership

When you sell, the transfer of ownership is done at the post office or online, with the registration certificate and the ID documents of the seller and the buyer. For a car bought with the olim benefit, first check that the 4-year period is over or that the tax difference has been paid.

Frequently asked questions

Sources: 2016 law on licensing in the motor trade (section 85, registration before handover); Ministry of Transport, frequency of the annual test for private cars (3-year exemption); Ministry of Transport, vehicle licence renewal service (gov.il).