Starting 1st August 2024, electric scooter and bicycle riders will be required to register and display a license plate.

The requirement for light transportation vehicle registration and having a license plate is a Transport Ministry initiative aimed at increasing the safety of pedestrians and riders. The regulations were approved earlier this year by the Knesset’s Economic Committee, and vehicle owners were given a 6-month preparation period to register on the website, get a license number, have an identification plate made by an authorized body, and attach it to their vehicles.

Transport Minister, Miri Regev, said "Our ministry encourages the use of light transportation vehicles that allow comfortable and low-cost movement around the city, reduce traffic congestion, and minimize air and noise pollution, providing an alternative means of transport. However, reckless riders who disregard traffic laws and other road users can cause accidents and are particularly dangerous to pedestrians, including the elderly, babies, and young children. The registration and license plate requirement is intended to make riders more cautious and considerate, and will enable effective enforcement against those who do not comply with the law and safety rules."

In the past decade, the popularity of electric two-wheel vehicles has increased, with hundreds of thousands of electric bicycles and scooters moving within urban areas. While most riders use these vehicles responsibly and carefully, some ride on sidewalks, endangering pedestrians and themselves.

The term "light transportation" or "micro-mobility" includes light vehicles that do not require a driver's license but must obtain a permit and pass a theoretical exam ie. electric bikes and scooters. 

These are the current laws for e-bikes and scooters:
~ Minimum riding age of 16
~ Compulsory helmet use
~ No riding on sidewalks
~ Compulsory theory exam

In the past, enforcement efforts have not been sufficiently effective because light transportation vehicles were not required to carry identification plates. In cases of violations or accidents, riders could evade fines and avoid accountability.

The Minister of Transport updated the regulations so that light transportation vehicles will now be required to carry a license plate. To simplify the process for vehicle owners, a straightforward online registration procedure has been established, eliminating the need to visit the licensing office, and there are no fees or annual exams required.

When registering an existing vehicle or purchasing a new one, owners must complete a one-time online registration using their ID number. Register online in English here: https://www.gov.il/en/service/bicycle-and-scooter-registration

Upon completing the process, the vehicle owner will receive a digital certificate with a license number consisting of two letters and four digits, e.g., AB 1234. The owner must then visit an authorized plate maker, who will make the plate, which must be attached to the vehicle. Preparing and attaching the plate involves a fee.

There are dozens of authorized license installers available nationwide, and their number is expected to grow with increasing demand. A list of authorized installers is attached above here. Unfortunately there are none in Beit Shemesh yet.

The Ministry emphasized that, unlike motor vehicles, the identification number is personal and associated with the owner rather than the vehicle itself. In the event of selling the vehicle or purchasing a new one, the owner must remove the plate and install it on the new vehicle after canceling the previous registration and completing the online registration for the new vehicle.

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