Israelis Face Long Waits and Extra Fees for Plastic Driver's Licenses Amid Postal Delays

Many Israelis, including a man identified as R., have been waiting months for their new plastic driver's licenses issued by the Ministry of Transportation. After paying 602 shekels for the renewal, R. experienced poor customer service and was advised against choosing postal delivery due to frequent losses. Instead, he was redirected to the printing contractor, Dfus Bari, which handles license production, highlighting a disconnect between the ministry and its service provider.

While Israeli drivers are not required to carry a physical license domestically if they have a valid one, the plastic card is necessary for driving or renting cars abroad and often serves as an official photo ID within Israel. To avoid postal issues, Dfus Bari offers several alternatives when ordering the license after paying the ministry fee: free pickup at their facility near the Gaza envelope region within 24 hours, registered mail delivery for 15 shekels, collection at a booth in Ben Gurion Airport for 118 shekels, home delivery within five days for 141 shekels, and expedited home delivery within two days for 177 shekels.

R. criticized the ministry for not including delivery in the renewal fee, unlike the Interior Ministry's passport service, calling the extra charges "outrageous." The airport pickup point operates 24/6 but closes early on Fridays and is closed on Saturdays. Dfus Bari recommends collecting licenses between 7:00 and 22:00. These options aim to mitigate the ongoing postal service failures that have frustrated many license applicants across Israel.