blog.cat.criminal5 min read8/15/2026

Traffic Points in Israel: When Your License Will Be Revoked and How Not to Miss the Deadline

A fine and traffic points are not the same thing: paying the fine does not cancel the points, and the end of the accumulation period does not erase the history of violations. We explain how to check your record, at what thresholds courses and license revocation begin, and why the 30-day deadline does not apply to challenging the fine itself.

Numbers and facts

•12 points — corrective measures begin
•6 months — deadline for completing the prescribed course
•36 points — license revocation for 3 months
•72 points — license revocation for 9 months
•30 days — application after notice of revocation
•2 years for up to 20 points; 4 years for 22 or more

First, Obtain an Official Printout

Points are recorded for violations of which the driver has been found guilty and may be imposed in addition to a fine or license revocation. They should be checked through the government service for obtaining a traffic penalty points printout, rather than relying on memory or old letters. It is important to verify the date of each violation, the number of valid points, and the corrective measures imposed. The date on which the record is entered in the registry generally does not change the start of the period: it begins on the date of the violation.

Points Do Not Disappear the Way Many People Think

When up to 20 points are accumulated, they remain valid for two years from the date of the violation; with 22 points or more, they remain valid for four years. If the accumulation period has ended, a new count generally begins from scratch, but previous records remain in the driver’s history. In addition, points continue to be considered valid until the driver completes the prescribed corrective measures. Therefore, ignoring a course may preserve the problem even after the formal end of the two- or four-year period.

Courses Begin at 12 Points; Revocation Comes Later

Corrective measures apply starting from 12 valid points and increase with the number of points; the Ministry of Transport provides for two types of proper, or preventive, driving instruction. The prescribed course must be completed within six months; otherwise, the Licensing Authority may suspend the license. Accumulating 36 points or more results in license revocation for three months. All measures are cumulative and do not limit the Licensing Authority’s other powers.

When a License Is Revoked for Nine Months

A nine-month revocation applies at 72 valid points or more. The same measure is possible if the driver was previously disqualified from driving for three months because of 36 points and then accumulated another 36 valid points within six years, with at least 12 of them relating to violations committed after January 1, 2012. To reinstate the license after a nine-month revocation, assessments at the Medical Institute for Road Safety and both theoretical and practical examinations are required. In Case No. 5226/10, the Supreme Court held that temporary revocation and the requirement to retake the theory test were proportionate measures within the points system.

What Exactly Can Be Challenged Within 30 Days

After receiving notice of license revocation due to accumulated points, a driver may apply to the Licensing Authority within 30 days and request a hearing to present their arguments. The application may be submitted online or at a branch by prior appointment; this is a procedure concerning the revocation, not an automatic cancellation of the fine or points. The official materials provided do not establish a single deadline for challenging the traffic fine itself or transferring it to the actual driver, so the 30-day deadline cannot be applied to those actions. The only government-specified route for removing points from the registry is through the Israel Police, not the Ministry of Transport.

FAQ

How can I check how many traffic points I have?

Order an official traffic penalty points printout through the government service. Check not only the total number, but also the dates of the violations, whether the points are valid, and whether there is an uncompleted course.

Do points expire after two years?

For up to 20 points, the validity period is two years; for 22 or more, it is four years. However, the records are not removed from the history, and uncompleted corrective measures may keep the points valid.

Can points be canceled by the Ministry of Transport?

According to information from the Ministry of Transport, only the Israel Police may remove points from the registry. A hearing before the Licensing Authority concerns license revocation resulting from the accumulation of points and does not, by itself, cancel the original fine or finding of guilt.

What happens if I do not complete the prescribed course?

The proper driving course must be completed within six months. If it is not completed, the Licensing Authority may suspend the driver’s license, and the points may remain valid.

Can a fine be transferred to the person who was actually driving?

The materials provided do not establish a general deadline or procedure for such a transfer. You should check the instructions directly in the fine notice and use the police channel specified in it, without relying on the 30-day deadline for a hearing on license revocation.

What to do next

First, obtain an up-to-date points printout and compare it with the decisions and dates of the violations. If a revocation notice has already arrived, separately note the 30-day deadline for applying to the Licensing Authority; questions about canceling or transferring the fine itself should be checked under the procedure specified by the police. Do not delay the prescribed course: failure to complete it may result in license suspension.