new driver... watch out October 25, 2007 |
I feel like I have ventured bravely into new Israeli territory. No, I am not referring to anything vaguely political. I am talking about taking to Israel's roads as a new driver. This, trust me, is more terrifying than treading on any controversial ground in this country.Technically speaking, I am not a "New Driver" or "נהג חדש" as they are referred to here (see tell-tale yellow sign above!) I do have an Australian driving license. I passed my test in 2000. The only problem is this - I haven't driven SINCE I passed my test - yes, the maths is easy. That was seven years ago.
At the time, I was convinced I was going to buy a car, but my chronic case of wanderlust flared up time and time again and each time I thought about buying a car, the money seemed to be so much better spent on an airfare to some exotic locale.
The deal for transferring an international license here in Israel is reasonably simple (in theory). Note to all prospective olim chadishim: when dealing with Israeli government departments, NOTHING is simple...
The basic rule is that in order to transfer your license with the minimum of fuss and stress, you must do so within 3 years of making aliyah. My problem is that my 3rd anniversary of making aliyah was spent in Sydney. I made aliyah in 2003, left in 2004 and returned properly at the end of 2006. I could prove that most of the time was spent outside Israel, but really, if the Licensing Authority wanted to be nasty about it, they could make me start the whole process from scratch (a minimum of 28 lessons, followed by a written (in Hebrew) test and practical test.
The simple transfer of a license simply involves taking a basic practical test only.
So here's the (simple) little process I had to go through:
Step 1: First of all, my mother had to get Vic Roads to issue me with a letter stating when my license was originally issued (Aussie driving licenses only state the date of expiry) and with that came my exemplary record. Not a single traffic offense in seven years, not a single speeding ticket. Nothing, nada, zip, zilch! "Wow", they must have thought at the Vic Roads offices, "what a remarkable driver! We should put her in a road safety campaign ad on TV! She could be our poster girl!"
Sorry. Fantasizing again.
Step 2: The next step in the process is to go to one of two Licensing Authority-approved optometrists in Jerusalem for an eye exam.
(I passed).
Step 3: Take the form you got at the optometrists (signed and stamped) and now go to your GP for a "medical exam". This in reality means you spend 60 seconds in your doctor's office while he/she ticks that you are in perfect health. Another signature and another stamp.
Step 4: Now you can go to the Licensing Authority itself together with every bit of paperwork you have ever received as an Oleh Chadash (new migrant). Take a number and wait until your number appears (approximately 3 hours later).
Step 5: Get shoved from one clerk to another and then another only to be told at the end of my more than a three hour wait that I am missing some paperwork and they can't help me. I need to find the missing paperwork and then come back again.
Step 6: Hold back tears.
Step 7: Hold back the urge to punch something or somebody very hard.
Step 8: Go home. Dig out extra paperwork (a couple of ancient "Teudat Ma'avar" - travel documents your get before you are given a full Israeli passport) and check again that I have absolutely EVERYTHING with me this time.
Step 9: Brave another visit to the Licensing Authority, take another number, make myself comfortable on the cold metal bench and was shocked that my number came up in less than an hour.
Step 10: Experience the obligatory "shove" from one clerk to another. (Clearly my case is not a simple one. Only Norit at counter 2 can deal with me).
Step 11: Norit tries to fob me off and tells me I need to get more paperwork from the Ministry of Absorption. I politely tell her where she can go and that I am not going anywhere until she deals with my problem. (See, I am becoming a REAL Israeli!) My aggression and persistence pays off and Norit signs my forms allowing me to simply take the practical test in order to be issued with an Israeli license.
Step 12: Punch the air and leap with joy upon exiting Licensing Authority.
Now the real problems begin...
As I mentioned earlier, I have not driven a car in seven years.
In addition to this, I have never driven in a car with the steering wheel on the left side of the car and I have never driven on the other side of the road (as they do in America, most of Europe etc). Finally - I have never driven in Israel and frankly, all the other reasons combined don't begin to compare to the fear I have of getting behind the wheel of a car in this country and putting myself as the mercy of every meshuggenah out there!
A good friend of mine recommended her driving instructor, a lovely lady called Emanuela.
Emanuela teaches women almost exclusively and her firm, confident manner is actually very comforting and reassuring. I couldn't believe that on my first lesson (earlier this week) I was whizzing around the outer suburbs of Jerusalem and reasonably confidently too!
I will definitely need to take a few lessons before I feel confident enough to take the test. But at 110 shekels (about $35 Australian dollars) a pop, I can't afford to take TOO many lessons! I know $35 doesn't sound like a lot of money, but hey! I am earning shekels now friends!
Hopefully I will soon be the proud owner of an Israeli driving license and maybe even a CAR!
I promise, my wanderlust condition is well under control these days!