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| Where is it easier to get a driver license? |
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| Total Votes : 4 |
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Imdramayu
Joined: 09 Feb 2007
Posts: 394
Location: South Korea
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 Posted: Fri Apr 25, 2008 8:12 pm Post subject: Getting a Saudi or Canadian driver's license |
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How difficult is getting a Saudi driver license without having a Western driver license? I have an expired US drivers license (5 years ago), a Qatar drivers license, and a Korean drivers license.
I'm returning to my home country (Canada) this summer for a vacation. Even though I'm Canadian, I don't have a Canadian driver license. To get a Canadian driver's license, I need written proof of my driving experience (in Qatar), pass 4 tests (vision test, knowledge test, and 2 road tests), and pay CDN $200. Also, getting a Canadian driving license might cause problems with the greedy taxman in Canada.
Would getting the Saudi driving license be easier than all this?
I know this topic is being discussed in another thread but I thought it would be good to start a new thread devoted to this topic in particular. |
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Stephen Jones
Joined: 21 Feb 2003
Posts: 4124
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| Posted: Fri Apr 25, 2008 11:18 pm Post subject: |
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| How good's your parallel parking? If you get that right you pass the test. You will probably have to do a couple of afternoon's classes as well and the price is about the same, SR435 last time I looked. |
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johnslat
Joined: 21 Jan 2003
Posts: 13859
Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA
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| Posted: Sat Apr 26, 2008 2:13 am Post subject: |
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| If you have enough wasta - or know someone who has - you probably won't even have to take the test. |
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007
Joined: 30 Oct 2006
Posts: 2684
Location: UK/Veteran of the Magic Kingdom
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| Posted: Sat Apr 26, 2008 10:10 am Post subject: Re: Getting a Saudi or Canadian driver's license |
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| baedaebok wrote: |
How difficult is getting a Saudi driver license without having a Western driver license? I have an expired US drivers license (5 years ago), a Qatar drivers license, and a Korean drivers license.
I'm returning to my home country (Canada) this summer for a vacation. Even though I'm Canadian, I don't have a Canadian driver license. To get a Canadian driver's license, I need written proof of my driving experience (in Qatar), pass 4 tests (vision test, knowledge test, and 2 road tests), and pay CDN $200. Also, getting a Canadian driving license might cause problems with the greedy taxman in Canada.
Would getting the Saudi driving license be easier than all this?
I know this topic is being discussed in another thread but I thought it would be good to start a new thread devoted to this topic in particular. |
Well, if I were you, I write a nice letter (of course in Arabic and with the help of your Saudi colleague) to Colonel Bandar the head of the traffic police in your area and attach your three driving licenses with the letter, then ask for appointment to see the Colonel. During your meeting with the Colonel explain to him your story in detail (of course with a Saudi interpreter) that you could not renew your Canadian driving license because you moved to Korea then to Qatar. And do not forget to smile while you speak to the Colonel, and at the end of the discussion offer him your services (especially if he has any relative studying in your school), and be a �diplomatic� during your discussion with the Colonel.
I have a feeling that the Colonel will accept your request, and will order his subordinates to issue a valid Saudi driving license for you within 24 hours.
I hope you will succeed in your try with the Colonel Bandar, good luck.
BTW, let me know about the result of your meeeting with the Colonel. |
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Imdramayu
Joined: 09 Feb 2007
Posts: 394
Location: South Korea
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| Posted: Sat Apr 26, 2008 10:45 am Post subject: Is it real or is it Memorex? |
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| 007...are you serious about that? Might that do the trick? Would that be the traffic office in my city? I wonder who Uncle Bander might be in my city? |
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007
Joined: 30 Oct 2006
Posts: 2684
Location: UK/Veteran of the Magic Kingdom
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| Posted: Sat Apr 26, 2008 11:04 am Post subject: Re: Is it real or is it Memorex? |
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| baedaebok wrote: |
| 007...are you serious about that? Might that do the trick? |
Of course, I am serious. I used the same trick to help my friend the German to get his Saudi driving license. Well, to be more specific I have some Wasta with the Colonel in my area. But, you will loose nothing by trying the trick.
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| Would that be the traffic office in my city? |
Yes.
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| I wonder who Uncle Bander might be in my city? |
He is the Emir of your area, and he is more powerful than the Colonel! 
The name Bandar is very popular in the magic kingdom, and there are plenty of Bandars in high position in the government and in the royal familiy, like Uncle Bandar who is the son of the crown prince. |
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Imdramayu
Joined: 09 Feb 2007
Posts: 394
Location: South Korea
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| Posted: Sat Apr 26, 2008 11:46 am Post subject: |
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| 007, I'm taking you at your word. I'll let you know how things go. Where can I find out the info about the Emir of my city or area? |
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007
Joined: 30 Oct 2006
Posts: 2684
Location: UK/Veteran of the Magic Kingdom
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| Posted: Sat Apr 26, 2008 9:24 pm Post subject: |
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| baedaebok wrote: |
| Where can I find out the info about the Emir of my city or area? |
Well, if you have a public relation office in your work place, then just ask the employer there he will give you all the information about the Emir and his palace. Or just ask any Saudi in your area he will direct you to the office of the Emir in your area. |
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MixtecaMike
Joined: 19 Nov 2003
Posts: 643
Location: Guatebad
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| Posted: Sun Apr 27, 2008 5:41 am Post subject: Re: Getting a Saudi or Canadian driver's license |
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| baedaebok wrote: |
... I have ... a Korean drivers license.
... I know this topic is being discussed in another thread but I thought it would be good to start a new thread devoted to this topic in particular. |
I was able to change my Korean licence over (as mentioned in aforementioned thread) and if you have to take the test here it is incredibly easy. A co-worker who had never driven in his life did the whole thing here over a few weeks, and passed easily. When he went to the driving school, he had to insist that he didn't know how to drive as the officer tried to send him straight over to do the test. As you can already drive it would offer no challenge at all, apart from waiting your turn in the hot sun. |
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Imdramayu
Joined: 09 Feb 2007
Posts: 394
Location: South Korea
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| Posted: Sun Apr 27, 2008 8:08 am Post subject: Driver's license saga! |
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Does one need to go through a driving course just to take the road test? I would have thought that the road test is sufficient for getting the driver's license.
Sorry for asking so many questions but....
I was in possession of a Saudi driver's license in 2003/2004 when I reigned driving terror in the streets of Riyadh. When the Qatar border officials took it at the border (when I drove my car from KSA to Qatar), I haven't been able to find it since. Would that matter? Does the KSA government cancel old driver's licenses, or would this old license cause trouble in trying to get another one? |
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007
Joined: 30 Oct 2006
Posts: 2684
Location: UK/Veteran of the Magic Kingdom
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| Posted: Sun Apr 27, 2008 1:35 pm Post subject: Re: Driver's license saga! |
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| baedaebok wrote: |
| I was in possession of a Saudi driver's license in 2003/2004 when I reigned driving terror in the streets of Riyadh. When the Qatar border officials took it at the border (when I drove my car from KSA to Qatar), I haven't been able to find it since. Would that matter? Does the KSA government cancel old driver's licenses, or would this old license cause trouble in trying to get another one? |
If you know your Saudi driving license number, just give it to the traffic office and tell them that you lost your driving license, they will check it in their computer system and hopefully they will issue a new one for you. But, you cannot do this until you get your Iqama and you have no old traffic penalties registred on your old license!
If the traffic office refuse to help you, go and see their boss Colonel Bandar and explain to him your case. Good luck. |
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