Photo: Ministry of Transportation Spokesperson About 1,000 lone soldiers participated this morning (Thursday) in a special day for converting a foreign driver's license to an Israeli driver's license, held at the licensing office in Holon.
The event, held at the licensing office in Holon, as part of "License Conversion Day for Lone Soldiers", is a joint initiative of the Licensing Division in the Ministry of Transportation, the 'Nefesh B'Nefesh and FIDF Loneliness Program', and the IDF Logistics Corps.
Many of the attendees are soldiers who took a short break from combat, some serving continuously since the outbreak of the war and unable to reach the licensing offices during the week. The license conversion day allowed them to convert their foreign driver's license to an Israeli one quickly and efficiently, enabling them to return home or to their base with an Israeli driver's license.
About 100 driving instructors from all over the country responded to the Driving Instructors Association's call and came voluntarily with their vehicles to conduct the practical driving test, with the help of the Licensing Division's examiners. The instructors also provided a short refreshment lesson before the test for soldiers who requested it.
Due to the state of war and reserve recruitment, the IDF and the Logistics and Technology Division supplemented the civilian examiners with military vehicle examiners from the Logistics Corps who helped in conducting the tests. Thus, the Licensing Division provided lone soldiers with all the necessary services to obtain the license in one place: a photo booth for the new license, an eye test by a certified optometrist, and medical approval from a Licensing Division physician.
At the end of the process, the soldier received a qualification stamp for license conversion and was scheduled for a control test. Those who passed the practical test successfully received an Israeli driver's license on the spot. Soldiers who did not pass the test were given the opportunity to take another test. These soldiers were offered a refreshment lesson before the test, with one of the volunteer driving instructors.
Among the attendees were lone soldiers from dozens of countries around the world. Notably, three brothers who came from the USA, Alex, Nathan, and Ezra, serving as lone soldiers, two of them in Gaza. Transport Minister Miri Regev spoke with them and personally handed them their new licenses. They shared: "The event was amazing, everyone was so warm and nice and everything went smoothly. Sometimes it's challenging to be here alone as lone soldiers, without parents in the country. It was moving to be around people who are so eager to help us get a license, who understand what it's like to be a lone soldier. Everyone here was so kind and supportive, and we are really grateful to all."
Minister of Transport and Road Safety, Miri Regev: "This is indeed a special day in every respect, and it is a great privilege to enable lone soldiers to receive the Israeli driver's license they so deserve and need. All in an immediate and simple process, without bureaucracy. It is our duty towards these soldiers who left their families and homeland to serve in the Israel Defense Forces. Many of them are in combat, and cannot reach the licensing office. This initiative is an expression of appreciation and respect for lone soldiers and their important contribution to the security of the State of Israel. We will continue to assist them in every possible way. You always have an address with us."
Director-General of the Ministry of Transport and Road Safety, Moshe Ben Zaken: "It is a great privilege and a personal duty for all of us here at the Ministry of Transportation to assist lone soldiers and simplify the process of driver's license conversion for them. Receiving an Israeli license will significantly improve their freedom of movement and flexibility, both during their service and as they enter civilian life. In this way, we contribute to their integration into Israeli society. In these days, when we are all committed to the national security effort, the Ministry of Transport is committed to assisting all IDF soldiers in regular and reserve service, especially lone soldiers. We will continue to act and initiate to improve service for all Israeli citizens."