Tips for New Drivers
New drivers? Stop! There are a few things you must know!
Are you a new driver? Mazel Tov! Congratulations on getting your driver’s license. You passed the theoretical test, the practical exam and now you can drive in Israel. In addition to all the excitement and congratulations, it is very important that you read a few tips for new drivers before you hit the road.
Your first two years as new drivers are critical, you are under the magnifying glass of the law. There is no doubt that when it comes to traffic offenses, the law and enforcement authorities treat new drivers much more seriously than veteran drivers.
The offenses listed in the Third Schedule to the Traffic Ordinance are offenses which, at the very least, entail another theoretical test and the extension of the new driver’s status for an additional two years!
These are some of the offenses listed in the Schedule:
Regulation 54 of the Traffic Regulations – speeding.
Regulation 26(2) of the Traffic Regulations – driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Regulation 47 of the Traffic Regulations – illegal passing, such as crossing a white line, passing on the right.
Regulation 22 of the Traffic Regulations – disobeying a traffic light, failing to provide a pedestrian or vehicle the right of way and so on.
An offense according to the Ordinance or Regulations in which a new driver causes a traffic accident involving an injured person.
Speeding offences
There are a number of different speeding offenses with monetary fines and accumulation of points. These are ranked from lowest to highest.
Examples of penalty levels – from the lowest to the highest:
- A speeding ticket with a fine of 250 ILS is imposed for driving at a speed exceeding the speed limit by 20 km/h on an urban road, or by 25 km/h on an interurban road. You don’t get any points for this ticket!
- A speeding ticket with a fine of 750 ILS is imposed for driving at a speed of 30 km/h over the speed limit on an urban road, or 25-40 km/h on an interurban road. You also get 8 points!
- A speeding ticket with a fine of 1500 ILS is imposed for driving at a speed exceeding the speed limit by 30-40 km/h on an urban road, or 40-50 km/h on an interurban road. You also get 10 points!
New drivers should remember that a ticket for speeding at the lowest level with no points should also be taken very seriously and an expert traffic law attorney should be consulted. Why? Because you are new drivers! And under certain conditions you may have to re-do the theoretical exam and be considered new drivers again for two more years.
Remember: paying a fine = admitting a speeding offense under the Third Schedule while being new drivers.
Driving under the influence
New drivers (and all drivers) – you must not drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol!
It is common knowledge that drunk driving is one of the most serious offenses in the Traffic Ordinance, which carries a minimum penalty of two years suspension, conditional license suspension, a fine and even imprisonment.
As stated above, the treatment that a new driver receives is not the same treatment received by a more experienced driver. In the case of driving under the influence, the law enforcement agencies set up traps and treat this offense even more seriously in cases involving new drivers.
For comparison:
| New driver / young driver up to the age of 24 / professional driver | Experienced driver
|
| Indictment | Indictment |
| Starting at 50 micrograms on a breathalyzer test | Starting at 290 micrograms on a breathalyzer test |
The enforcement standard is almost 6 times higher for new drivers – clearly much stricter for new drivers
New drivers, pay attention!
***50 micrograms on a breathalyzer test is enough to file charges for drunk driving***
Involvement in a car accident
New drivers who are involved in a traffic accident will find themselves in a hearing before a police officer. The considerations that the officer considers in the hearing are, among other things, the driver’s experience and record.
Unlike an experienced driver with no substantial traffic record, new drivers will be treated harshly when they come to the hearing officer, their license may be taken away and suspended on the spot, even if it is a minor accident and a low-level misdemeanor.
In such case you should consult a traffic lawyer, who can help prevent the administrative suspension and future proceedings in the traffic court.
In conclusion
These are just a few examples of cases in which lack of knowledge causes problems.
During the first two years, when you are considered a new driver, it is very important that you drive with extreme caution, observe the traffic laws, and avoid mistakes for which you will pay a high price.
Obviously, each case is judged on its own merits, therefore if you are a new driver, before you intend to pay the ticket or admit to the offense you have committed, contact lawyers who specialize in the field who will reduce the damage and, in some cases, even prevent it.
Lawyers from our office specializing in traffic law are at your service with great dedication for any legal question.
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