A new Transportation Ministry regulation will enable those
with class 2 (private driver) licenses to transport up to 15
passengers in minibuses, on condition that they have at least
five year' driving experience and have taken a 50-hour
classroom course for minibus drivers. Until now, a driver who
transported 8-11 passengers had to have a class 3 (truck
driver) license. To transport 15 passengers, a driver needed
a special bus driver license.
Starting on the 6th of July, holders of private (Class 2)
licenses will only be authorized to drive public minibuses
and to charge a fee for services if they have a taxi driver
or a bus driver license.
Those currently holding class 2 (private license) or class 3
(truck driver) license will be allowed to continue to drive a
minibus until March 31, 2001. After that date, such drivers
will have to pass a 65-hour lecture course on driving small
public vehicles. Upon successful completion of the course,
they will be permitted to transport up to 15 passengers.
The aim of the new regulations is to make things easier for
large families that use a van or minibus. Now parents will be
allowed to transport their entire family at once. It should
be stressed that arrangements for insurance coverage for all
passengers must be made separately. Various Members of
Knesset worked on these new regulations, but special credit
goes to Rabbi Gafni of UTJ.
