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The Medical Institute for Road Safety (Marbad)
What is the Medical Institute for Road Safety and when does one get referred there?
The Medical Institute for Road Safety is the body authorized to examine the medical and mental fitness of drivers. The Licensing Authority refers drivers to it in defined situations: accumulation of 72 points or more; convictions for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs; medical or mental information that reached the authority, including doctors' reports and hospitalizations; serious accidents; and applications for professional licenses. Until the examinations are completed, the license is often suspended, and the driver finds himself unable to drive for months.
What does the examination look like?
The examination includes questionnaires, an interview with a doctor, and sometimes computerized psychological assessment and specialist examinations by an expert, psychiatrist, or neurologist. Based on these, the institute determines: fit, fit with conditions, such as glasses or periodic reviews, or unfit, a determination that revokes the license. The familiar problem: the process is conducted while the driver does not understand what is being examined and how, and innocent answers in the questionnaires and interview, about the past, treatment, and drinking, determine the outcome to his detriment.
Appeal of a decision of the Medical Institute for Road Safety
A finding of unfitness is not the end of the road: there is a right to appeal to a medical appeals committee, within the prescribed period, and the appeal can be supported by medical and psychological expert opinions on behalf of the driver. Reasoned appeals, submitted with a professional opposing expert opinion, are accepted. It is also possible and advisable to prepare properly for repeat examinations.
Representation in Marbad proceedings
Advocate Israel Arama assists drivers before examinations at the institute, in appeals against its decisions, and in proceedings before the Licensing Authority, in cooperation with medical experts. If you have been referred to the Medical Institute for Road Safety or your license has been revoked, seek advice before the examination, not after it.
Driving While Disqualified
What is the offense and what is the penalty?
Section 67 of the Traffic Ordinance provides that anyone who drives while their license is disqualified is liable to up to 3 years' imprisonment. The courts view this offense with particular severity: the disqualified driver is not only violating the law, but also expressing direct contempt for a judicial or administrative order issued against them. For this reason, the prevailing sentencing policy includes a component of imprisonment, sometimes actual imprisonment, even for defendants with no criminal record.
Accompanying consequences
Driving while disqualified is almost always accompanied by additional offenses: driving without valid insurance coverage (since the insurance does not apply to a disqualified driver), and sometimes driving without a valid license. In addition, the court is authorized to order the vehicle's immobilization and forfeiture, significantly extend the disqualification period, and activate previous suspended sentences. An accident that occurred during the disqualification period also exposes the driver to personal claims without insurance coverage.
Possible lines of defense
The question of knowledge of the disqualification is central: a disqualification that was not lawfully served on the driver, or that the driver was not actually aware of, may fail to support a conviction. The manner of delivery of the disqualification notice, the dates, and the records must be examined. In addition, personal and family circumstances may materially affect the imprisonment component.
Legal representation in driving while disqualified cases
Israel Arama, formerly of the Tel Aviv District Attorney's Office, represents drivers in serious criminal traffic offenses. When actual imprisonment is at stake, there is no place for handling the proceeding alone. Contact us for an initial consultation without obligation before the hearing.
Driving without a License
Three different situations, different severity
The term "driving without a license" covers three entirely distinct situations: someone who has never obtained a driver's license, the most serious offense, which carries the possibility of imprisonment, disqualification, and fines, and also removes insurance coverage; someone whose license expired and was not renewed, a less severe situation, in which the punishment is usually more lenient, especially when the expiration was brief and resulted from forgetfulness; someone who drives a vehicle that is not classified on their license, for example driving a truck with a private license, a situation sometimes equated with driving without any license at all.
The critical consequence: absence of insurance
Driving without a valid license invalidates compulsory insurance coverage. In the event of an accident, the meaning is that the driver is personally exposed to tort claims in amounts that can reach millions of shekels, with no coverage whatsoever. For young drivers and minors who drive without a license, the consequences may follow them for decades.
Minors who drive without a license
A common and dangerous phenomenon: a minor caught driving without a license is expected to face criminal proceedings in juvenile court, and this may also harm the ability to obtain a future license, enlistment in the IDF, and their future. Parents who allow a minor to drive their vehicle are also exposed to liability. In these cases, proper legal guidance can direct the proceeding toward a rehabilitative track instead of a conviction.
Legal representation in license offenses
Israel Arama, formerly of the Tel Aviv District Attorney's Office, represents drivers in criminal traffic offenses, including minors in juvenile courts. Correctly distinguishing among the three situations and presenting them accurately to the court directly affects the outcome. Contact us for an initial consultation without obligation.
What is the Medical Institute for Road Safety and when does one get referred there?
The Medical Institute for Road Safety is the body authorized to examine the medical and mental fitness of drivers. The Licensing Authority refers drivers to it in defined situations: accumulation of 72 points or more; convictions for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs; medical or mental information that reached the authority, including doctors' reports and hospitalizations; serious accidents; and applications for professional licenses. Until the examinations are completed, the license is often suspended, and the driver finds himself unable to drive for months.
Representation in Marbad proceedings — what is important to know?
If you have been referred to Marbad or your license has been revoked, seek legal advice before the examination, not after it.
Possible lines of defense — what is important to know?
The question of knowledge of the disqualification is central: a disqualification that was not lawfully served on the driver, or that the driver was not actually aware of, may fail to support a conviction. The manner of delivery of the disqualification notice, the dates, and the records must be examined. In addition, personal and family circumstances may materially affect the imprisonment component.
Minors who drive without a license — what is important to know?
A common and dangerous phenomenon: a minor caught driving without a license is expected to face criminal proceedings in juvenile court, and this may also harm the ability to obtain a future license, enlistment in the IDF, and their future. Parents who allow a minor to drive their vehicle are also exposed to liability. In these cases, proper legal guidance can direct the proceeding toward a rehabilitative track instead of a conviction.
This information is for initial orientation about the service and contact process. It is not individual legal advice.
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