Ministry of Transport intends to bring 2,500 truck drivers to Israel

The department notes that the current shortage of truck drivers in the market is 3,500 people, and taking into account the retirement of 2,000 drivers by age and the opening of 4,000 new positions as part of the metro construction project, the shortage may soon increase to 10 thousand drivers.

The proposal promoted by the Ministry of Transport provides for the participation of a limited number of industrial companies. Each candidate driver is required to present a category C/E license (heavy truck with a trailer or semi-trailer), a certificate of no criminal record or traffic violations, and proof of at least three years of experience in category C and five years in category E. After employment, drivers undergo a shortened training course (50 hours) on driving, safety and adaptation to Israeli conditions, and then a month of work under mentoring. The employer is responsible for training.

The Ministry of Labor is strongly opposed to allowing foreign workers to become truck drivers in Israel.