Israeli roads off-limits to Tesla Cybertruck due to licensing issues
Israeli roads off-limits to Tesla Cybertruck due to licensing issues
Ministry of Transportation holds back approval over bulletproof concerns
Licensing agencies in Israel have been instructed not to accept the Tesla electric van that recently arrived in the country. The first and only Tesla Cybertruck in Israel is currently on Israeli roads, but it cannot be licensed according to an official notice from the Ministry of Transportation.
The Tesla Cybertruck is one of the most well-known electric vehicles in the world. This road/off-road vehicle can drive on electric power in difficult terrain, overcome obstacles, and carry cargo. Additionally, according to Tesla, the Cybertruck is resistant to small arms fire to a certain extent.
Tesla Israel does not officially import the Cybertruck into Israel. However, the first vehicle arrived a few days ago via personal import, generating significant interest.
State procedures require that personally imported vehicles undergo a formal inspection at a licensing garage after leaving the port. However, the Ministry of Transportation has objections in the specific case of the Tesla Cybertruck due to its resistance to gunfire. Currently, a special permit is required to drive a bulletproof vehicle, and the Ministry has chosen not to grant this permit until the inspection is completed.
Despite these requirements, the Cybertruck left the port of Ashdod earlier this week. This prompted the Ministry of Transportation to send a message to all licensing institutes in Israel. The notice from the Ministry of Transportation's standardization department stated: "Regarding the Tesla Cybertruck, if the importer turns to you to perform initial standardization and registration, we ask that you not accept it until further notice. This is at the request of the Ministry of Transportation's management until we clarify the issue of protection against gunfire."
