Job Discussion Forums

redeyes · Joined: 21 Jun 2007 Posts: 254

I have heard from a number of reliable sources that it is certainly possible for Westerners to take their driving licence in Saudi -- I am presuming though, that the Western candidate for the test would have to have at least a reasonable grasp of Arabic? Am I right?

Alternatively, for those TEFLER's without a driving licence -- how is it taking cabs in Saudi? Can my wife join me off campus/compund grounds in cabs without hassle? I presume of course,that she will have to wear a full face covering, hands and ankle covering hijab/abaya off campus? I have a daughter too -- at what age will she have to wear full abaya/hijab/face/hand covering too? Will any of the locals care if I wander freely around town with my ( very) young daughter?

Sorry if some of my queries sound naive - I am trying to get it right. I have lived amongst Muslims for years -- but never in Saudi. Thanks for any and all advice.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

No need for Arabic for driving test. You will have to take a course. Passing is then - for a Westerner - almost guaranteed.

Your wife does not need to cover but should wear an abaya. Some Western women in Eastern province do not wear an abaya. She can use taxis on her own or with you.

Girls here wear an abaya from the age of puberty.

Cleopatra · Posted: Fri Nov 07, 2008 10:21 am Post subject:

There is certainly no need for any foreign woman to cover her face. An abaya is essential, and I would suggest that she wear a headscarf too, though some women do not bother.

Taking taxis with your wife is no problem. Many women take taxis on their own, and rarely have any trouble.

redeyes · Joined: 21 Jun 2007 Posts: 254

Scot and Cleo, thanks very much indeed -- you've both helped me a lot on Saudi matters.

trapezius · Posted: Fri Nov 07, 2008 5:21 pm Post subject:

Don't you have a Western license? If so, you don't need to take any tests here to get a license. You can get a Saudi license without any tests/lessons if you have a Western license. And if you don't have a license from your country already, anybody can get a license here, whether Western or not (what does that have to do with it anyway?).

Of course, if you are a Westerner applying for a Saudi license, it would be much easier for you than for an Easterner, even f you don't have a license from your country.

Your wife does not have to cover her face, hands, and ankles no matter where you are in Saudi. In Riyadh, it would be wise to cover the hair. In Jeddah and Khobar/Dhahran/Dammam, she doesn't even have to cover her hair, as long as you are with her. If she is alone outside on the streets, it would be wise for her to cover her hair lest she is followed and hounded by Saudi youths in cars high on testosterone, honking their horn, driving by the side slowly at her walking pace, basically shouting at her to sleep with them. (happened to my wife, even though her hair was covered and her abaya plain)

As for young girls, they have to cover when they reach puberty, but again, discretion is important, as everybody matures at a different age. If your daughter is tall and/or developed, it would be wise for her to wear an abaya.

Mia Xanthi · Posted: Fri Nov 07, 2008 5:22 pm Post subject:

Cabs can get expensive. Here in the Eastern Province, even the shortest trip costs SR15 (about US $4) and anything longer costs SR20. If you stop, you have to pay for a new ride when you start up again. This can add up in a hurry for a family with lots of needs when settling in.

If you already have a license, it is actually very simple to get a Saudi license. No Arabic required at all, if you take along an Arabic-speaking student or friend. Used cars are reasonable, and some people lease cars at fairly reasonable rates. Gasoline is ridiculously cheap, which makes having a car a sensible choice for those with families who have to make a lot of daily trips.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Not all of us have Western driving licences. I have reached my advanced age without needing a UK licence, though I have had Zambian and Nigerian licences.

In this I am not alone. It may seem strange to our car-obsessed friends but it is still possible to live without driving. Of course in KSA students think this is a very strange idea.

WaegukinYeoJa · Joined: 17 Oct 2008 Posts: 26

Can anyone provide a little more information about leasing cars? Is it possible to lease a car without the help of your employer? Do you need an Iqama to do this?

My employer is planning to process my full working visa (NOT the business visa) from my home country. Would this be considered the Iqama or is the Iqama an addition to the visa? Also, my husband's visa is being processed as my dependent, as we aren't living in his home country and getting his degree certified will be a major pain in the ass. Would this pose any problems for getting a car, etc.?

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

The "Iqama" is the ID Card issued to foreigners working in KSA. You get that after arrivi ng here on an entry visa. You need one to do anything like opening a bank account, getting a d4iving license, buying/leasing a car, renting an aprtment etc.

I am not sure how it works for a female who is working here with a male on her Iqama. May be someone else does.

trapezius · Posted: Sat Nov 08, 2008 10:26 am Post subject:

Women can own anything they want, including cars and property (property only for Saudis, of course).

WaegukinYeoJa, the car will be registered under your name, but of course, you can never drive it (you could inside compounds and in the desert, though Very Happy

).

Your husband will get a driver's license and drive it! But make sure he is at your beck and call 24 hours a day Twisted Evil

Bebsi · Joined: 07 Feb 2005 Posts: 958

You can rent a car in KSA with your national licence and a business visa. Visiting businessmen in Saudi do it all the time.

What you cannot do without an Iqama is BUY a car. You will also need a Saudi licence for this purpose.

You also need an Iqama to lease (as opposed to rent) a car. Legally, like in the west, while the leasing company retains ownership of the car, the deal is similar to Hire Purchase and you need an Iqama/Saudi licence for that.

But to simply rent, all you need is your national licence and a copy of your business visa (to show you are legally on Saudi soil). Oh, nerves of steel help as well; you will see what I mean when you get out onto Madinah Rd in Jeddah or King Fahd Rd in Riyadh on a Thursday night Laughing

Happy driving!

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

The trick is to find a job where you do not need a car. Heresy to the automobiloholics in our midst but for many of us a liberation from the tyranny of Ford.

I am fortunate in that I can walk to work. Everything I need is within 500 meters of my apartment. When I have to go downtown I can use a taxi. The misers can use the free buses laid on by the magnanious empoloyer or by the supermarkets.

HCEG1 · Joined: 20 Oct 2008 Posts: 36

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Typo for "magnanimous". The other typo is "empoloyer" for "employer."

Maybe I should not use big words (mispelt) on a forum for English teachers. Or maybe I should pray for a cure for my diabetic retinopathy ?

"Hey ho, so it goes," as Kilgore Trout, Vonnegut's character used to say. Now I expect someone will ask,"Kurt Vonnegut ? Who he ?"

johnslat · Posted: Sun Nov 09, 2008 2:54 pm Post subject:

Dear scot47,

Requiescat in pace, Mr. Vonnegut.

Hi, ho, so it goes.

Regards,
John