Driving Hours for Heavy Vehicles to be Extended to 15 Hours a Day

Against the backdrop of the declaration of a special situation on the home front and the "Lion's Roar" operation, the Israeli Minister of Transport, Brig. Gen. (Res.) Miri Regev, signed a dramatic temporary order allowing the expansion of driving frameworks for commercial vehicle drivers with a total weight exceeding 6,000 kg, as well as for bus drivers. The move is intended to create the operational flexibility required for the economy's essential needs at this time, and to ensure the continued regular operation of freight transport and public transportation despite the state of emergency and extensive mobilization.

According to the new directive, the daily driving hour quota during the relevant period will be extended from 12 hours to 15 hours, while the cumulative weekly quota will increase from 68 hours to 90 driving hours. The Minister of Transport noted that the ministry is working to ensure full functional continuity of the economy and that the temporary order provides the necessary flexibility while maintaining professional and safety responsibility.

The Director General of the Ministry of Transport, Moshe Ben Zaken, added that the move provides a solution to the challenges created following the operation and allows for the maintenance of continuity in the operation of freight transport systems while strictly adhering to existing safety and supervision rules. The validity of the order is set until the end of the declaration of a special situation on the home front or until March 3, 2026, whichever is earlier.