Parking rules tightened – details from the Ministry of Transport

Israeli authorities are preparing a major reform of parking benefits for people with disabilities. An inter-ministerial commission of the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Finance plans to cancel up to 150,000 permits issued in violation of regulations. The share of benefit recipients has grown from 6% in 2014 to 17% by the end of 2025. In 2026–2027, 133,000 temporary permits will expire and will not be automatically renewed. Starting in 2027, the gradual cancellation of permanent permits for citizens under 80 will begin. Only one vehicle can be linked to each permit.

Israeli authorities are preparing a major reform of the parking benefits system for people with disabilities. An inter-ministerial commission uniting the ministries of transport and finance has presented a plan that will lead to the cancellation of tens of thousands of permits. The reason is a sharp rise in the number of benefit recipients: while in 2014, parking permits were used by owners of 6% of private vehicles, by the end of 2025 this figure had grown to 17%. Today, 446,000 beneficiaries have linked 655,000 vehicles to their benefits. The Ministry of Transport states that two-thirds of permits were issued solely on the basis of medical certificates without verification by the relevant authorities. It is estimated that at least 150,000 permits were issued in violation of regulations. The reform will affect two segments: temporary permits (133,000 permits expiring in 2026–2027 will not be automatically renewed) and permanent permits (starting in 2027, the gradual cancellation of permanent permits for citizens under 80 whose data is absent from the National Insurance Institute registries; up to 75,000 such beneficiaries are planned to be removed annually). An exception will be made for citizens over 80. New rules are being introduced: only one vehicle can be linked to each permit, except for parents of children with disabilities. The National Insurance Institute will transfer data on citizens' rights, but the final decision on issuing a permit will remain with the Ministry of Transport. The goal is to centralize the issuance process and eliminate the use of "gray" medical certificates.