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[titanicman]

If anybody is driving from Saudi to Qatar (via Salwa border crossing), follow these steps and it'll be easier sailin'. I just made the trip last week.

(1) Before leaving your city (Riyadh, in my case), make sure ALL your official exit documents are in exact order. Double and triple-check them with bilingual friends (who can check the accuracy of the info in Arabic). To drive out, I changed my license plates to export license plates (black background & white writing). In Riyadh, the Rawdaw police station issued the new plates and gave my the accompanying paperwork. This paperwork was riddled with mistakes: wrong VIN, wrong point of departure (Jeddah in one line, Salwa in another), wrong date of departure, and no stamp or signature. When I showed this to the Saudi customs at Salwa, they made me drive 6-hours back to Riyadh to correct the mistake. To avoid this, double-check. The drive was easier than dealing with the Saudi's!

(2) Fastest route? Take Damman Expressway and turn south at Hofuf sign. No gas stations for maybe 40 minutes so fill-up at stn on your left on the East-West Road (when you get there). Drive is nice until you get to Hfuf which has a maze of roundabouts with no signs. I prayed and followed the trucks...made it to the border.

(3) At the border, park in the diagonal spaces to the right of the customs booths. Get there early (btn 8-11) b/c customs manager can help with any problems (he only works in the morning). It took me 2 hours going between different people. No English-speakers in customs so I had some trouble communicating but finally made it through the many hurdles.

(4) Eat and gas up in the white buildings between the Qatar & Saudi borders. There's nothing except rocks, sand, and construction workers on the Qatari side of the border.

(5) Qatari customs was a breeze. Instant visa form...laughable "inspection" of the contents of my car...and that's it.

Any questions..............PM me.

Cheers................Titanicman

[veiledsentiments]

Great information - Thanks Titanicman.

It is likely that you won't be the only one making the trip out of KSA.

What a mess with the paperwork on the car!! I thought I had been given a hassle with the same process in Kuwait - having to drive all over Kuwait to get sigs and stamps - and then have them inform me that they didn't have any import plates - maybe in a few days. (and I was flying out the next morning - very early)

But, an extra 6 hour drive - twice - ugh. Enjoy the new job.

VS

[dmb]