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Vehicle registration plates of Israel

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An Israeli vehicle registration plate, or an Israeli license plate, is a vehicle registration plate, a metal or plastic plate or plates attached to a motor vehicle or trailer, used in Israel for official identification purposes.

Israeli registration plates are issued by various approved licensing firms, like Dinamometer, and according to Specification no. 327 of the Standards Institute of Israel. Most regulations regarding Israeli vehicle registration plates are listed among the transport regulations, issued by the Ministry of Transport and Road Safety. These regulations define the proper placement of the plates, as well as other issues concerning the usage of the plates.

Appearance

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Civil registration plates

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Israeli civil registration plates are rectangular with reflecting yellow background and embossed with black registration number. Under the first dash of the registration number (see below form of registration numbers) there is a stamp of approval of the Standards Institute of Israel. On the left side of the plate there is a euroband embossed with the Israeli flag and beneath it the letters IL and ישראל (Israel) written in Hebrew and below it إسرائيل (Israel) written in Arabic. Old plates do not hold this euroband. In American standard plates (300 × 150 mm), the digits are narrower and the blue rectangle is at the bottom of the plate, as the letters are to the right of the flag.

These plates are issued to Israeli citizens, whether they live in Israel-proper (including annexed territories of Golan Heights and East Jerusalem) or in the West Bank, as well as to Syrian citizens inhabiting in the Golan Heights, and Palestinian residents of East Jerusalem. Vehicles with this format of license plates are free to cross the Green Line, but not into the Gaza Strip unless they receive a permit from COGAT. Palestinians living in the West Bank and Gaza Strip are issued a different registration plate format by the Palestinian Authority.[A] The owners of these vehicles need to apply for a permit from COGAT if they want to cross the Green Line or exit the Gaza Strip.

Vehicles registered in Israel often use "disguised" plates, either remade black on white without the blue band, or with the blue band covered, when travelling outside of the country.[citation needed]

Current format—eight digits

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Current civil registration numbers (since July 2017) consist of eight digits, separated by dashes between the third and fourth digits and between the fifth and sixth digits (XXX-XX-XXX).

In this format, the first six digits are the registration code. The last two digits are the series of the license plate, which start from 01 and only go up when the first six digits reach their limit (999-99-9##). Thus, the code pattern follow this:

  • From 100-00-001 to 999-99-901
  • Then, 01 becomes 02 and the rest of the code resets, thus:
  • From 100-00-002 to 999-99-902
  • Then 100-00-003 to 999-99-903
  • and onward...

Typical one-line license plate, having a size compliant with that of European Union license plates, 520 × 110 mm

Typical two-line license plate, installed on imported vehicles that can't accommodate a standard one-line plate. Size compliant with American standard 300 × 150 mm

Motorcycle, Moped, and Scooter License Plate. 165 × 175 mm

1980-2017 - 7 digits

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Registration numbers from 1980-2017 were seven digits, separated by dashes between the second and third digits and between the fifth and sixth digits (XX-XXX-XX). Older registration numbers, which are still seen in Israel, consist of five or six digits with one dash placed prior to the last three digits (XX-XXX or XXX-XXX). Vehicles from the same importer or brand usually have the two last digits in common. Special numbers consisting of identical digits or other patterns, may be granted as a premium by the dealership.

While the vehicle registration numbers of taxis in Israel always end with either 25 or 26, the last two digits of buses vary, although many end with 01. Many self-imported cars end with 00, as well as many trucks. Plate numbers ending with 4x and 9x are currently not in use.

Typical 1-line license plate, having a size compliant with that of European Union license plates, 520 x 110 mm

Typical 2-line license plate, installed on imported vehicles that can't accommodate a standard 1-line plate. Size compliant with American standard 300 x 150 mm

Motorcycle, Moped, and Scooter License Plate. 165 x 175 mm

Antique vehicle registration plates

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Antique vehicles, which in Israel are vehicles over 30 years of age, may be specifically registered and carry special registration plates, which in addition to the registration number contain the words רכב אספנות (lit. "collectibles" vehicle). These vehicles, while exempt from annual registration costs, may not be driven on a public road between 07:00 and 09:00 on a workday.[1] Since February 2011, self-imported antique vehicles are allocated a number plate with the 55 suffix.[2]

Israeli Antique vehicles registration plate

Police registration plates

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Typical 1-line license plate, having a size compliant with that of European Union license plates, 520 x 110 mm

Typical 2-line license plate, installed on imported vehicles that can't accommodate a standard 1-line plate. Size compliant with American standard 300 x 150 mm

Police registration plates are rectangular with red background and embossed with white registration number. Police registration numbers consist of the letter mem (מ), representing the word "mishtara" (Hebrew: משטרה, meaning: police) and the number, which is issued according to the seniority of the car holder. The number of the main car of the General commissioner of the Israel Police is 1.

Military registration plates

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Registration plates of military service vehicles are rectangular with black background and embossed with a white registration number. Military registration numbers consist of the letter tsade (צ), representing the word "Tsahal" (Israeli Defense Forces) and several digits. Alternatively, the plate might be painted on the vehicle.

Military police registration plates

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Military police registration plates are rectangular with blue background and embossed with white registration number. Military police registration numbers consist of the letters mem and tsade, representing the words "mishtara tsva'it" (military police) and several digits.

Diplomatic registration plates

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Diplomatic Corps/Consular Corps registration plates are rectangular with white background and embossed with black registration number. Diplomatic/Consular Corps registration numbers consist of the letters CD/CC (respectively) and seven digits—the last two of them are 21 or 22. Private vehicles owned by a member of a diplomatic/consular mission and originally brought from the member's country of origin do not carry the letters CD/CC, but the last two digits remain 21 or 22. Honorary consuls' vehicles carry plates consisting of the letters CC without the final digits of 21 or 22, even though the vehicle is registered under a civil registration number.

List of codes

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First digits Ends with 21 Ends with 22
10  Kenya  Slovakia
11  Slovenia  Belarus
12  Taiwan  Ethiopia
13  Cyprus  Ecuador
14  Jordan  Argentina
15  Latvia  United States
16  Moldova  El Salvador
17  Rwanda  Bulgaria
18  Morocco  Bolivia
19  Kazakhstan  Myanmar
20  Gabon  Belgium
21  Lithuania  Brazil
22  United Nations  United Kingdom
23  United Nations  Russia
24  Ghana
25  Guatemala
26  South Africa
27  Albania  Denmark
28  Haiti  Sri Lanka
29  Angola  India
30  Bosnia and Herzegovina  Netherlands
31  Estonia  Hungary
32  Honduras
33  Germany
34  Dominican Republic
35  Venezuela
36  Vatican City
37  United Arab Emirates  Serbia
38  Greece
39  Japan
40  Vatican City
42  United Nations
43  United States  United States
44  Zambia
45  Liberia
46  Mexico
47  Croatia
48  Egypt
49  Nigeria
50  Norway
53    Nepal
55  Cameroon
56  China
57  Uzbekistan
58  United States  United States
59  Spain
60  Togo
61  Poland
62  Portugal
63  Philippines
64  Finland
65  Panama
66  Georgia
67  Paraguay
68  Peru
69  Chile
71  Czechia
72  France
73  Vietnam
74  Colombia
75  Costa Rica
77  Canada
78  Romania
79  Sweden
80  Tanzania   Switzerland
81  South Korea
82  Türkiye
83  North Macedonia  United States
84  Thailand
85  United Nations
86  DR Congo
87  Malta
88  Côte d'Ivoire
90  Ukraine
91  South Sudan
92  United Nations
93  Austria
94  Australia
95  Uruguay
96  Italy
97  France
98  Ireland
99  European Union

7-digit format registration plate suffixes

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The use of the 7-digit registration plate in Israel began in 1980. It ended in 2018 for cars and buses, but still used for Taxis until all numbers in the 25 and 26 series run out. The 2 last digits of the number, referred to as its suffix, have special meaning. In the eighties, the suffix indicated the vehicle's manufacturing year (80-89). In 1990 this rule was changed, and the suffix was determined according to the car's dealer or brand, when each dealer or brand was given a suffix, sometimes sharing the same suffix with other dealers or brands. This rule was gradually changed starting from 2000, and the suffix started to indicate the vehicle's manufacturing year again (although not according to a general rule as in the eighties) as well as dealer or brand.

The following table details the registration plates’ suffixes in Israel against the vehicle's manufacturing year and the car's dealer or brand.[3] The table details private and small commercial cars only. It does not indicate suffixes that were allocated to the Palestinian Authority in the past.

A list of Israel's car dealers and the brands they import follows this table.

Suffix Manufacture year Brand/dealer
00 Self imported vehicles, all brands, since 1990. Mercedes
01 2005 Colmobil (Dealer), Lubinsky (Dealer), buses, 2-wheel vehicles
02 1990-1994 Mitsubishi
03 1990-1995 Japanauto (Dealer)
04 1990-1997 Lubinsky (Dealer), Hyundai, Daihatsu
05 1990-1995 Samlat (Dealer), Automotive Equipment Group (Dealer), Jaguar, Ford
06 1990-1995 UMI (Dealer), Meir (Dealer), Carasso (Dealer), Kamor (Dealer)
07 1990-1995 Champion (Dealer), Daihatsu, Daewoo
08 1990-1997 UMI (Dealer), Meir (Dealer), Kamor (Dealer), Rover
1995-1996 Japanauto (Dealer)
2016 Meir (Dealer)
09 1990-1996 Alfa Romeo, Lancia, Skoda, Mazda, Toyota, Lada
10 2000-2001 All manufacturers
2001-2004 Skoda
11 2013-2014 All manufacturers
12 2012-2013 All manufacturers
13 2006 All manufacturers
2007 Daihatsu
2012-2013 All manufacturers
14 2006 All manufacturers. Re-registration[4] in case the first (left-most) digit is 9. (9X-XXX-14)
15 Self import vehicles, re-registration (until 2005), heavy vehicles, former police cars
16 1997-2011 Kamor (Dealer)
1995-1999 Lubinsky (Dealer), Carasso (Dealer), Daewoo
2005 Champion (Dealer), Delek Motors (Dealer)
17 1995-1999 UMI (Dealer), Meir (Dealer), Mitsubishi, Hyundai
1999-2004 Jaguar, Rover, Land Rover
18 1996-2000 UMI (Dealer), Champion (Dealer)
19 1995-1999 UMI (Dealer), Delek Motors (Dealer), Automotive Equipment Group (Dealer), Daewoo, Daihatsu, Toyota
20 1995-1999 Colmobil (Dealer)
21 Since 1980 Diplomatic vehicle (with "CD" at the left) or Consulate vehicle (with "CC" at the left) or Red Cross vehicle (with "ICRC" at the left), white background, All manufacturers
22 Since 1980 Diplomatic vehicle (with "CD" at the left) or Consulate vehicle (with "CC" at the left) or Red Cross vehicle (with "ICRC" at the left), white background, All manufacturers
23 1996-2004 Subaru
2000 Most manufacturers
24 2000-2001 Most manufacturers
25 Since 1986 Taxi, All manufacturers
26 Since 2013 Taxi, All manufacturers[5]
27 1996-2000 Fiat, Kia, Suzuki, Mazda
28 1996-2002 Automotive Equipment Group (Dealer)
1995-1998 Delek Motors (Dealer), Mercedes
2016 Automotive Equipment Group (Dealer)
29 1996-1998 Carasso (Dealer)
1997 Mazda
2000-2001 Delek Motors (Dealer), Carasso (Dealer)
30 1997 Daewoo, Daihatsu
2014 All manufacturers
31 2014 All manufacturers
32 2014-2015 All manufacturers
33 2015 All manufacturers
34 2015-2016 All manufacturers
35 2001-2002 All manufacturers
36 2002-2003 All manufacturers
37 2015-2016 All manufacturers
38 2015-2016 All manufacturers
39 2016 All manufacturers
40 2016-2017 All manufacturers
41 Re-registration of "collectibles" vehicle in case the first (left-most) digit is 9. (9X-XXX-41)
42-49 Not in use
50 2002-2003 Honda
2003 All manufacturers
2006-2005 Daihatsu
51 2003-2004 All manufacturers
52 1982 All manufacturers
2013-2014 All manufacturers
53 1983 All manufacturers
2013-2014 All manufacturers
2015 Champion Motors (Dealer)
54 1984 All manufacturers
2013-2014 All manufacturers
2015 Delek Motors (Dealer), Champion Motors (Dealer), Carasso (Dealer)
55 1985 All manufacturers, mostly commercial vehicles
Re-registration of "collectibles" vehicle in case the first (left-most) digit is 9. (9X-XXX-55)
2015 Colmobil (Dealer)
56 1986 All manufacturers, mostly commercial vehicles
2004 All manufacturers
2005 Champion (Dealer)
57 1987 All manufacturers, mostly commercial vehicles
2004-2005 All manufacturers
2005 Re-registration in case the first (left-most) digit is 9. (9X-XXX-57)
2015 Delek Motors (Dealer)
58 1988 All manufacturers, mostly commercial vehicles
2005 All manufacturers
2006 Japanauto (Dealer)
2014 Automotive Equipment Group (Dealer), Subaru
59 1989 All manufacturers, mostly commercial vehicles
2005-2006 All manufacturers
Since 2007 Hamizrach (Dealer)
2015-2016 Japanauto (Dealer)
60 2006-2007 All manufacturers
2006 Re-registration in case the first (left-most) digit is 9. (9X-XXX-60)
61 2006-2008 All manufacturers
2007 Re-registration in case the first (left-most) digit is 9. (9X-XXX-61)
62 2007 All manufacturers
63 2007-2008 All manufacturers
64 2008 All manufacturers
2013-2014 Peugeot, Citroen
65 2008-2009 All manufacturers
66 2008-2009 All manufacturers
67 2008-2010 All manufacturers
68 2008-2010 All manufacturers
2009 Re-registration in case the first (left-most) digit is 9. (9X-XXX-68)
69 2009-2010 All manufacturers
2009-2010 Re-registration in case the first (left-most) digit is 9. (9X-XXX-69)
70 2009-2010 All manufacturers
71 2010-2011 All manufacturers
2011 Re-registration in case the first (left-most) digit is 9. (9X-XXX-71)
72 2010-2011 All manufacturers
2011-2012 Re-registration in case the first (left-most) digit is 9. (9X-XXX-72)
73 2010-2011 All manufacturers
2012-2013 Re-registration in case the first (left-most) digit is 9. (9X-XXX-73)
74 2011 All manufacturers
2013 Re-registration in case the first (left-most) digit is 9. (9X-XXX-74)
2014 Peugeot, Citroen
75 2011-2012 All manufacturers
2013 Subaru, re-registration in case the first (left-most) digit is 9. (9X-XXX-75)
76 2011-2013 All manufacturers
77 1990-2003 Government vehicle. After the vehicle left government service it received re-registration plate
78 2011-2012 All manufacturers
79 2012-2013 All manufacturers
80 1980 All manufacturers
81 1981 All manufacturers
82 1982 All manufacturers
83 1983 All manufacturers
84 1984 All manufacturers
85 1985 All manufacturers
86 1986 All manufacturers
87 1987 All manufacturers
88 1988 All manufacturers
89 1989 All manufacturers
90-99 Not in use

Vehicle dealers in Israel

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dealer plate
Dealer Brands
UMI Universal Motors Israel Chevrolet, Buick, Cadillac, Isuzu, Pontiac, Oldsmobile, GMC, Saab; Opel (until 2011)
Delek Motors Mazda, Ford, BMW; Mini (since 2011)
Kamor Until 2011 Kamor imported BMW and Mini.
Lubinsky Peugeot, Citroen; MG (since 2011), Opel (since 2017)
Champion Motors Audi, Volkswagen, Seat, Skoda; BYD (co-op with Shlomo-Sixt)
Carasso Motors Renault, Nissan, Infiniti, Dacia, Chery; EVeasy (JMEV)
Union Motors Toyota, Lexus, GAC, Geely
Meir Honda, Volvo, Polestar, Lynk&Co
Samlat - Cars Agency for the Mediterranean Ferrari, Maserati, Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Subaru (since 2013), RAM (Since 2016), Lancia, Abarth, Chrysler/Jeep (since 2016), Dodge (since 2016), Kia (until 2008), Hongqi
Telcar Daihatsu, Ssangyong; Kia (since 2008), Seres
Colmobil Mitsubishi, Hyundai, Mercedes, Smart; Great Wall (since 2022)
Hamizrach Land Rover, Jaguar; Great Wall (2010-2015)
Automotive Equipment Group Suzuki, Chrysler/Jeep/Dodge (until 2016), Porsche
Shlomo-Sixt Opel (until 2017); BYD (co-op with Champion Motors)
Japanauto Subaru (until 2013, bought in 2013 by Samlat)
Tesla Israel Tesla
Belilios Group Aiways
China Motors Maxus
EV Motors JAC, LEVC, WM Motor/Weltmeister
Caduri Group Skywell/Skyworth, Zhidou
Metro Motor Leapmotor, Karma, Voyah

Regulations

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Regulations no. 300-301 state that every vehicle registered in Israel must carry two registration plates, installed on the front and rear ends of the vehicle (one on each) in the designated places by the manufacturer, or otherwise determined by the licensing authority. Motorcycles, trailers, semi-trailers, bicycles and tricycles must carry one plate only, installed on the rear end.[6]

Registration plates must always be clean and must not be obscured by freight.[7]

A damaged or vandalized registration plate must be replaced with a new one.[8]

It is prohibited to remove a plate except for its replacement. It is also prohibited to add details to a plate, change its color or blur it.[9]

A vehicle registered in Israel is allowed to carry Israeli plates only.[10]

A registration plate in a motor vehicle must be illuminated, so it can be read from a distance of 20 meters (66 feet) in daylight and fair weather.[11]

Electronic toll collection

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When driving on an electronic toll collection route in Israel like Highway 6, the vehicle registration plate is electro-optically read at the entrance and exit from the route. Later, a clerk will manually enter the data into the database and subsequently, an invoice is sent to the address of the owner of the vehicle, as it is registered in the database of the Ministry of Transportation.[12]

See also

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Notes & References

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  1. ^ Prior to 1994, the Israeli civil administration issued vehicles from these Palestinian territories with separately-designated registration plates.
  1. ^ Collectible cars on the Israeli ministry of transportation site (Hebrew) Archived 2013-09-27 at the Wayback Machine
  2. ^ "Israeli MOT site, 55 suffix allocated to antique cars (Hebrew)". Archived from the original on 2017-12-13. Retrieved 2011-06-21.
  3. ^ The table is based on statistical research that was based on a sample of 2,105 used cars data from used cars trading web sites YAD2 and Telebuy (Hebrew)
  4. ^ Re-registration: Self import, former taxi, former government vehicle, former Ministry of Defence vehicle, former military vehicle, former police vehicle
  5. ^ "Israel MOT site, 26 suffix allocated to taxis (Hebrew)". Archived from the original on 2016-08-17. Retrieved 2014-11-08.
  6. ^ Transportation Regulations, 1961, regulations 300-301
  7. ^ Transportation Regulations, 1961, reg. 301
  8. ^ Transportation Regulations, 1961, reg. 302
  9. ^ Transportation Regulations, 1961, reg. 303
  10. ^ Transportation Regulations, 1961, reg. 305
  11. ^ Transportation Regulations, 1961, reg. 343
  12. ^ "Highway 6 constructing company website". Archived from the original on 2009-08-11. Retrieved 2008-10-25.
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