BREAKING NEWS

More theory, more practice in next year's driving curriculum

New plan will radically

The paradigm of teaching driving in Israel will undergo dramatic changes, Channel 2 reported Thursday evening. According to the report, new drivers will spend more hours practicing the mechanical aspect of driving in specialized circuits and will only take to the road at a later stage. Also, the theoretical aspect of driving will be emphasized, with at least 20 hours spent in theory studies regarding road behavior, before beginning to gain practical experience. Driving students will pay a larger sum for the theoretical aspect of driving lessons, but Transportation Ministry tests will be cheaper, according to the report. Practical driving lessons will also include special classes, such as driving at night and driving on open terrain. The plan, slated to take effect in May 2010, will also lengthen to six months the period during which a chaperon is needed to accompany a new driver, which currently stands at three months.