What Is a Car “Test” in Israel?
If you own a car in Israel, you’ll quickly hear people talk about doing a טֶסְט (test). This is the annual vehicle safety inspection, carried out at an authorized test center.
It is important not to confuse this with a driving test. This “test” is for the car itself, checking that the vehicle is safe, legal, and roadworthy.
How the Process Usually Works
Before the test is due, the car owner usually receives the vehicle license renewal form by post. This is the רִישָׁיוֹן רֶכֶב (rishayon rechev), meaning vehicle license.
The renewal fee can usually be paid online or at the post office. Once paid, the vehicle license is taken to an authorized test center, where the car is checked.
The tester, or בּוֹחֵן (bochen), may check things like:
What They Check
- Lights: אוֹרוֹת (orot)
- Indicators / signals: וִינְקֶרִים (vinkerim)
- Brakes: בְּרֵקְסִים (breksim) or בַּלָּמִים (balamim)
- Emissions: זִיהוּם אֲוִיר (zihum avir)
- Leaks: נְזִילוֹת (nezilot)
- Paperwork: נַיֶּרֶת (nayeret)
If the car passes, you receive confirmation and usually a sticker showing the next test date for the windscreen. If it fails, you are normally given time to repair the faults and bring the car back for a retest.
Useful Words for the Test Center
Vehicle license: רִישָׁיוֹן רֶכֶב (rishayon rechev)
Car test: טֶסְט לָרֶכֶב (test la-rechev)
Test center: מָכוֹן רִישּׁוּי (machon rishui)
Tester: בּוֹחֵן (bochen)
Lights: אוֹרוֹת (orot)
Indicators: וִינְקֶרִים (vinkerim)
Paperwork: נַיֶּרֶת (nayeret)
Brakes: בַּלָּמִים (balamim)
Sticker: מַדְבֵּקָה (madbeka)
Failed: נִכְשַׁל (nichshal)
Passed: עָבַר (avar)
Useful Phrases at the Test Center
I came for a car test.
בָּאתִי לְטֶסְט לָרֶכֶב.
Bati le-test la-rechev.
Here is the vehicle license.
הִנֵּה רִישָׁיוֹן הָרֶכֶב.
Hineh rishayon ha-rechev.
What is the problem with the car?
מָה הַבְּעָיָה עִם הָרֶכֶב?
Ma ha-be’aya im ha-rechev?
Did the car pass the test?
הָרֶכֶב עָבַר אֶת הַטֶּסְט?
Ha-rechev avar et ha-test?
How long do I have to fix it?
כַּמָּה זְמַן יֵשׁ לִי לְתַקֵּן אֶת זֶה?
Kama zman yesh li letaken et zeh?
Where do I pay?
אֵיפֹה מְשַׁלְּמִים?
Eifo meshalmim?
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