State Comptroller Reveals Major Failures in Israel’s Disabled Parking Permit System

Israel’s disabled parking permit system is plagued by serious management failures, according to a sharp report released by State Comptroller Matanyahu Englman on Tuesday. The report highlights a sixfold increase in disabled parking permits over the past two decades, with approximately 445,000 permits registered to around 670,000 vehicles as of 2025. This means nearly one in five vehicles (17%) in Israel holds a permit granting exemptions from parking fees, licensing discounts, and the ability to park on sidewalks, despite overall vehicle growth of only 40% during the same period.

A key factor contributing to this situation is the Ministry of Transport’s policy allowing two vehicles to be linked to a single permit, a practice unique among 15 countries surveyed. Instead of issuing permits personally to disabled individuals, the permits are attached to vehicles, inflating the number of vehicles benefiting from the system. The report also exposes a complete lack of enforcement: although the law permits fines up to 14,400 shekels for misuse of permits without the disabled person present, no fines have been issued in recent years.

The licensing authority is described as a "rubber stamp," approving 93% of permit applications in 2024 with an average processing time of just 90 seconds per request, without any physical examination of applicants. Following investigations by the police and Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Transport estimates that about 150,000 permits, one-third of the total, were issued improperly. This case is currently under review by the State Prosecutor’s Office.

Beyond the estimated annual financial loss of 400 million shekels from lost parking revenue, the report stresses the social cost borne by physically disabled people who struggle to find available parking spaces. Despite a government decision in December 2025 to establish stricter issuance procedures within 90 days, the task force’s work remains incomplete. The comptroller emphasizes that since 63% of permits are permanent, meaningful change requires a comprehensive reassessment of all permits.

Englman concludes by recommending the cancellation of the policy allowing two vehicles per permit, the establishment of clear eligibility criteria, and immediate enforcement measures to restore integrity to the system.