A common obstacle for many driving test candidates may soon be removed from the protocol: The Knesset’s Economic Affairs Committee has approved an amendment allowing, for the first time, the legal use of automatic parking systems in advanced vehicles, even when the driver is outside the vehicle.
Automatic parking (Remote Parking) is an advanced system that allows a vehicle to park itself independently, in a controlled manner and at low speed. These systems are especially helpful in tight, complex, or crowded parking spaces and rely on sensors, cameras, and artificial intelligence. In vehicles equipped with this technology, parking can be controlled via an app or a smart remote, even when the driver is not inside the vehicle.
The new regulation sets strict limitations to ensure the safety of users and their surroundings. Automatic parking may only be activated if the system is original and provided by the vehicle manufacturer. If the operation is carried out from outside the vehicle, the driver must be within six meters of the car. The maximum speed is limited to 12 km/h, and no additional passengers may be in the vehicle during operation.
The amendment to the traffic regulations, approved as a temporary order for three years, aligns Israel with a group of advanced countries that have already authorized the use of this technology, including Germany, South Korea, and the United States, subject to strict regulation. Germany was the first to approve its use in 2019, and the systems are already in operation in public parking areas. In other countries around the world, the use of the technology is permitted under cautious restrictions concerning range, speed, and environmental control—similar to the conditions set in Israel.
In parallel, an amendment to Regulation 74 was also approved, allowing remote control of systems not used for driving—such as activating the climate control system to cool the vehicle before entry.
"The new regulation is another milestone on the road to integrating more advanced driver-assistance systems in Israel," said the Transport Minister Miri Regev. "We are following technological changes in the automotive world and working to remove regulatory barriers in a controlled and safe manner."
This is one of the most impressive features currently offered by advanced vehicles, and it is no longer limited to luxury models. Automatic parking systems, also known as Remote Parking or Remote Smart Parking Assist, are already integrated in a variety of well-known brands, including Tesla, BMW, Mercedes, Hyundai, Genesis, Kia, Audi, Volkswagen, Ford, and Lincoln.
Tesla, for example, has a system called Smart Summon that allows the vehicle to drive itself out of a parking space and approach the driver waiting nearby. BMW offers a system called Reversing Assistant Parking Plus, in which the vehicle remembers the forward driving path and autonomously retraces it in reverse to park, even when the driver is controlling it from outside via the BMW Connected app. In higher-end Mercedes models, the Remote Parking Assist system enables precise maneuvering within covered or tight parking spaces via smartphone.
Hyundai-Kia Group has also been offering similar functions for several years. In models like the Hyundai Tucson, Santa Fe, and Ioniq 5, as well as the Kia Sorento and EV6, a Remote Smart Parking Assist system is installed. This system allows the user to exit the vehicle, activate the system, and the car will move forward or backward into a parking space, using sensors and cameras to detect obstacles.
These systems include, among other components, 360-degree cameras, proximity sensors, radar, and sometimes a laser scanner (LiDAR). Artificial intelligence algorithms process the data, detect parking lines and nearby objects, and carry out driving operations such as braking, acceleration, steering, and gear shifting autonomously. It is likely that additional electric vehicle manufacturers, such as BYD, will update their vehicle computing systems to enable automatic parking.
The activation is typically done via a dedicated app provided by the vehicle manufacturer or a smart remote supplied with the car. As long as the driver is within a few meters of the vehicle and maintains line of sight, they are allowed to initiate the parking function. In most countries, including Israel, the speed is limited to 12 km/h, and the vehicle must stop immediately if the button is released or an obstacle is detected.