How Many Points Lead to a Preventive Driving Course

A driver who has accumulated 12 or more valid points against them within a two-year period is obligated to undergo corrective measures on behalf of the Licensing Authority. The severity of the sanctions and the type of course are determined based on the total accumulated points:

12-22 points: A basic proper driving course must be completed.

24-34 points: Progression to an advanced course, which also includes license suspension for 3 months.

36 points or more: The license is suspended for 3 months (or 9 months for repeat accumulation), and you will be required to retake both the practical test and theory to get it back.

Table of Contents:

• After how many points do you take a preventive driving course?
• How many points do I have?
• What is a preventive driving course and what is its purpose?
• Basic preventive driving course
• Advanced preventive driving course
• Preventive driving phone number and registration centers
• Deleting points after a preventive driving course
• Within how much time must a preventive driving course be completed?
• What happens if the course is not completed in time?
• Is it possible to appeal an obligation for a preventive driving course?

In Israel, as in many countries around the world, there is a points system for drivers who commit various driving offenses. The main objectives of the points system are to deter drivers from committing or repeating the same offenses and to monitor drivers who may pose a danger to the public.

Traffic points are recorded against a driver who commits a specific offense, alongside other punishments such as license suspension or a fine. The accumulation of points can lead to additional sanctions, such as being required to take a preventive driving course for those who reach a certain number of points, and in more severe cases, license suspension.

After how many points do you take a preventive driving course?

Points are recorded against a driver convicted of a traffic violation. Each traffic violation has a specific number of points, depending on the severity of the offense. A driver who accumulates 12 to 22 points will be required to take a basic course, and a driver who accumulates 24 to 34 points will be required to take an advanced course.

How many points do I have?

Today, you can check driving points by ID number from a computer or mobile phone using the online service in the government personal area. You can also find out the number of points through self-service kiosks at licensing offices, shopping malls, and Super-Pharm branches, or via the telephone hotline of the Ministry of Transport (*5678).

After identifying yourself in the national identification system, click on "Driving and Vehicles" in the menu and then select "Printout of Mandatory Points."

What is a preventive driving course and what is its purpose?

A preventive driving course (also called "proper driving") is a mandatory course for drivers convicted of traffic offenses who have accumulated a specific number of points. Every year, thousands of Israelis take the course and are required to successfully pass an exam at its conclusion.

The purpose of the course is to educate drivers on safe driving and teach them about the dangers of committing various offenses. The intention is to teach drivers basic safety principles such as maintaining distance, adhering to speed limits, and responding correctly in emergencies. In addition, it reminds and clarifies traffic laws and regulations in Israel and instills the importance of responsible and cautious driving for both the driver and other road users.

During the course, drivers go over dangerous scenarios, how to identify them, and how to prevent them. This is so that in the future, they can avoid such occurrences as much as possible.

The Guide to the Courses

There are two preventive driving courses – a basic preventive driving course and an advanced preventive driving course - which differ from each other in the number of points the driver accumulated and the content delivered in them.

Basic preventive driving course

The basic preventive driving course is intended for a driver who has accumulated 12-22 traffic points against them. The duration of the training is about 9 hours, divided into 2 sessions. Trainees must meet 100% attendance and successfully pass the exam at the end of the course. A driver who fails the exam on the first attempt is entitled to a re-test, and if they fail again, they will be required to retake the course from the beginning.

The main topics in the basic preventive driving course are correct overtaking, night driving, winter driving, intersections and right-of-way, lane deviation and accident prevention, and preventing front and rear collisions.

Advanced preventive driving course

The advanced preventive driving course is intended for a driver who has accumulated 24-34 valid points against them. If the driver is obligated to take a preventive driving course, they will first complete the basic course and then the advanced training. That is, to successfully pass the advanced course, one must first successfully pass the basic course.

The advanced preventive driving course spans two sessions of about 4 hours each. Participants must attend all sessions and successfully pass an exam. If the participant fails the exam on the first attempt, they are entitled to a re-test. If they fail to pass the exam on the second attempt as well, they will be required to retake the course from the beginning.

The main topics in the advanced preventive driving course are: principles of preventive driving, driving dilemmas, recklessness vs. judgment, vehicle safety measures, reversing, vehicle stability, explanations about the points system, and driving speed.

Contact and Technical Details: Preventive Driving Phone and Booking Centers

Preventive driving courses are conducted by concessionaires serving the Licensing Authority at training centers located throughout the country. Trainings are conducted during both daytime and evening hours.

Registration for courses is done only after receiving a summons that allows registration for the course at one of the training locations. After receiving the summons, you must register by phone or online on the concessionaires' websites.

Bnei Akiva Yeshivot Center (Miba):

Telephone registration hotline: 03-3737355

Exam results inquiry hotline: 03-3737357

You can register 24 hours a day on the Miba-Bnei Akiva Yeshivot Center website.

Service provided in the cities of: Beer Sheva, Beit Shemesh, Bnei Brak, Bat Yam, Hod Hasharon, Herzliya, Hadera, Holon, Kfar Saba, Netanya, Modi'in, Petah Tikva, Kiryat Malachi, Rishon LeZion, Rehovot, Ramla, Ramat Gan, Ra'anana, Tel Aviv.

Amal Hesegim:

Hotline: 03-6066999

You can register 24 hours a day on the Amal Hesegim website.

Service provided in the cities of: Umm al-Fahm, Ofakim, Eilat, Ashdod, Ashkelon, Dimona, Zemer, Heiba, Haifa, Tiberias, Jerusalem - Atarot, Jerusalem - Kiryat Yovel, Carmiel, Nahariya, Nazareth Illit, Afula, Kiryat Haim, Kiryat Shmona.

Deleting points after a preventive driving course

Points accumulated by a driver due to traffic violations are not automatically deleted after a proper driving course. Although completing the course is a condition for deleting traffic points, they are deleted after a specific period of time calculated from the day the last offense was committed and according to the amount of accumulated points. This is conditional on no further offense being committed during that period. After two years, points will be deleted for anyone who accumulated up to 22 points from the day the last offense was committed, whereas for those who accumulated over 22 points, the points will be deleted only after 4 years. Deletion will take place only if the driver completed the required course and did not commit new offenses.

Within how much time must a preventive driving course be completed?

A driver obligated to take a preventive driving course is required to register within six months. They can request an extension from the Licensing Authority, but this will be granted only once and for an additional period of six months.

What happens if the course is not completed in time?

If the driver does not complete the course within six months as required, the Licensing Authority is permitted to suspend their license.

Is it possible to appeal an obligation for a preventive driving course?

You cannot appeal the ticket itself or the points received for it to the authority, but rather a technical error due to which you were summoned to the course. You can contact the Licensing Authority in writing (via the personal area on the government website) and request to cancel the summons while stating your arguments and attaching relevant documents. If the appeal is rejected, an administrative petition can also be filed in the District Court.

Accumulating Points in Traffic Violations

Does every traffic violation carry points?

Not every traffic violation carries points, but only the offenses stipulated by law – according to their severity. Offenses that do not carry an accumulation of points can be technical offenses (such as not carrying a driver's license or vehicle documents), speeding up to 20 km/h above the limit, minor vehicle defects, and more.

How many points do you get for common traffic violations?

• Overtaking when the road is not clear – 10 points
• Overtaking over a continuous dividing line – 10 points
• Overtaking from the right – 4 points
• Overtaking before a pedestrian crossing – 6 points
• Speeding 20-30 km/h above the limit on an urban road – 8 points
• Speeding over 30 km/h above the limit on an urban road – 10 points
• Speeding 25-40 km/h above the limit on an intercity road – 8 points
• Driving with an expired license – 8 points
• Driving under the influence of alcohol (drunk driving) – 10 points
• Driving during suspension – 10 points

When do traffic points get deleted or stop being valid?

If the driver accumulated fewer than 12 points, they will be deleted after two years without the need for a course. For someone who accumulated 12 to 22 points and did not commit further offenses – the points will be deleted within two years on the condition that they completed the basic course.

If the driver accumulated 22 points or more and did not commit further offenses – the points will be deleted within 4 years and on the condition that the driver completed the preventive driving course.

Is it possible to cancel points before reaching a preventive driving course?

If you meet the appropriate conditions, it is possible to cancel points before reaching a preventive driving course by converting the ticket into a warning. You can also file a request to be tried. Beyond that, for someone who accumulated up to 20 points, they will be deleted after two years provided they did not commit further offenses.

When should you consult a traffic lawyer?

A traffic law attorney can assist drivers in many cases of accumulating points and committing traffic violations. As someone who knows the law thoroughly, a traffic lawyer can assist with appeals against the accumulation of points, extending their accumulation period, appealing a ticket that leads to an obligation for a preventive driving course, and especially in cases where there is a risk of license suspension. In any case where you believe there was an error in accumulating points or that you were given a ticket unjustly, it is advisable to consult and check, as a solution you hadn't thought of might be found.

Summary

The information in this article is intended to provide general knowledge only and does not constitute legal advice, a legal opinion, or a substitute for consulting with an experienced and knowledgeable lawyer in traffic laws. Traffic laws, traffic regulations, the method of calculating points, enforcement policy, and case law may change from time to time; therefore, the information should not be relied upon as a basis for making a legal or practical decision in an individual case. In any case of receiving a ticket, being summoned to court, fearing license suspension, accumulating points, or any other traffic proceeding – it is recommended to contact a traffic lawyer to examine the circumstances of the case and the legal options available to you.