Ministerial c'tee approves overhaul for new driver training

According to bill, gov't will establish about 100 driver training centers to replace driving schools that currently prepare new license procedure.

By DAN IZENBERG
lamedim student drivers 248 88 (photo credit: Ariel Jerozolimski)
lamedim student drivers 248 88
(photo credit: Ariel Jerozolimski)
The Ministerial Committee for Legislation approved on Sunday a bill prepared by the Transportation Ministry calling for a drastic overhaul of the system of training new drivers.
According to the bill, the government will establish about 100 driver training centers (DTCs) to replace the roughly 500 driving schools that currently prepare new drivers to obtain their licenses.
Unlike today, the DTCs will teach both the practical and theoretical aspects of driving. Until now, students have studied for the theory exam on their own. Students will have to master 52 driving accomplishments and take at least 24 driving lessons before they can take the driving test. Today, students must take a minimum of 28 driving lessons.
Students will be able to begin their lessons at the age of 16-1⁄2 and at the age of 16 and nine months, they will be able to take the test if they have fulfilled the preconditions.
Today, students cannot take the driving test until they are 17.
Under the reform students will receive a driver’s “permit’ after passing the driving test, which will allow them to drive only if they are accompanied by an adult – day and night for the first three months and at night for an additional three months.
During this period, they must drive accompanied for at least 50 hours. The driver and the escort will have to sign a declaration attesting to the fact that they have driven together for 50 hours, and only then will the new driver receive a permanent driver’s license.
The reform will also affect examiners who test the students’ driving skills and the driving teachers. The ministry will establish universal criteria for all examiners while teachers will have to take professional courses and periodic tests to keep their accreditation.
The committee also endorsed a private member’s bill initiated by MK Orit Zuaretz (Kadima) to outlaw ads offering prostitution services. Prostitution itself is not against the law, although it is illegal to profit from the work of prostitutes.
Nevertheless, with certain exceptions, advertising prostitution services has been legal until now. Zuaretz’s bill calls for a punishment of up to three years for anyone advertising such services and up to seven years for anyone advertising services involving a minor, anyone who uses drugs or anyone who is a victim of trafficking in women.
Until now, wrote Zuaretz in the explanation to the bill, the restrictions against advertising only took into consideration the feelings of the public. Her proposal also takes into account the wellbeing of the women whose services are being offered.
A third bill approved by the committee was initiated by MK Ophir Akunis (Likud), outgoing chairman of the Knesset Economics Committee.
His bill stipulates that when a real estate agent advertises properties for sale or rent on the Internet, he must stipulate that a real estate agent is behind the advertisement so that anyone inquiring about the offer will know that he will have to pay a commission if he takes the property.
Currently, agents often advertise properties without indicating that an agent is involved.