TRANSPORT IN KSA.

Taxi

In general, advance booking is required in Saudi Arabia if you wish to travel by taxi. It also applies if you wish to travel to or from an airport or a shopping mall. Note that taxi drivers are not likely to stop by you in the streets if you wave at them. Moreover, most taxi drivers across the country, except in Riyadh, do not speak English.

As regards advance booking, unless you speak Arabic, it is best to seek the assistance of a local or Arabic-speaking foreigner if you know any. You should also write your destination address clearly on a piece of paper and hand it to the' driver before setting out.

Finally, most taxis are equipped with a taxi meter. Hence, fares are settled in advance. But you can still negotiate the fare with the taxi driver.

Train

Saudi Arabia has a single rail line which connects Riyadh to Dammam, passing through Al Asha and Abqaiq 5 times a day. Trips generally have a 4 hours duration. With a minimum of 50 kg of luggage, you will be able to travel in the first or second class.

 Important:

Foreigners in Saudi Arabia will have to produce their Iqama to be authorized to travel by train.

Note that advance booking is required (at least 24 hours prior to the schedules travel date) so as to secure a seat. Tickets have to be purchased at least three hours before the time of departure. Otherwise, rates will be increased by 10%.

 Good to know:

Boarding a train in Saudi Arabia is quite similar to boarding a flight. Thus, your luggage will have to be subjected to an X-ray scan and the local police will verify your travel documents. Make sure to reach the train station at least one hour in advance, especially due to the fact that train doors close five minutes before departure.

Bus

Saudi bus lines connect the major cities such as Mecca, Riyadh, Gaseem, Hail, Jeddah, Madinah, Tabuk, Taif, Abha and Dammam. Note that most buses are equiped with air conditioning and a toilet. If you wish to have extra room along with a meal, just like in a flight's first class, you will have to pay 50% extra.

Local buses are also available if you wish to mingle with the Saudi population and learn more about their culture and lifestyle.

Common means of transport

As Saudi Arabia is governed by the Shari'a which is a set of Islamic rules set by Wahhabi, women are required to respect certain rules. If these seem unacceptable or strange to you, remember that "When in Rome, do as the Romans do!".

Thus, women, including foreigners, should not travel alone in a taxi with a man unless it is her husband or a close relative. Moreover, women should not travel in a taxi whose driver is not a relative. But the police tends to bypass this rule when it comes to foreign women.

Foreign women can travel alone by train in the first or Premium class as it consists of a family section. In buses, the first row is reserved for women and families.

Note that foreigner women have to produce their Iqama while traveling if they are making a short stay in the country.

 Good to know:

Medina and Mecca are forbidden to non-Muslims.

Traveling in Saudi Arabia is relatively safe. However, make sure to check the current restrictions before heading to the Najran border in Yemen.

Driving Licence Process in Saudi Arabia

To begin the story you need to prepare your file, You need the following, Iqama copy, passport copy, visa copy, filled form, medical report, 1 photograph, kafeel letter, copy of the driving license of your country & its translation in Arabic.

Need a letter from your kafeel, get it attest from Chamber of commerce.

Ok, now get the form from driving school, you can find guys there who can fill it for you, get a stamp from Maroor on the picture of you pasted on the form. Without the stamp you won’t be able to get a medical report. Medical consist of blood group and eye test.

If you have a driving license of your country then you need a translation of it. This all can be done from driving school.

Go and submit your file, (100 SR admission fee for those who have valid driving licence of their country) he will give you 2 slips, they will ask you to attend the class, you need to come and attend the class, the will teach you about signals and violations point. After that class they will show you how to park the car in the test. Next day, you need to come for the test, The gate will open at 6, so try to come at 6:00 AM. They will give you the file, you have to go park the car at your turn, in case of failure examiner will take your file back. F you passed he will sign and return the file to you.

Next step is the signal test, go to the room, you need to answer 15 correct out of 20 in  order to pass the test, they will ask you to pick the file at 2:00 PM.

You have to come at 2:00 to collect the file from reception, pay the fee (400 SR for 10 years) from the office in the school or else online, get the print out of the receipt with you.

Next day come at 6 to collect the license, if you come late you won’t be able to get the token for the day. You will get a token, and on your turn the guy will collect the file from you and give the license to you immediately.

Note: This is done in Khobar Driving School, there might be a little change in other schools.

Regards,
Good Luck!

DRIVING IN KSA

Do you wish to drive in Saudi Arabia? Here is some useful information to help you obtain a national driver's license.

Foreigners intending to settle in Saudi Arabia may wish to drive at some point of time during their stay. However, driving in the country can be quite complicated, especially if you are not yet aware of the traffic code and regulations. You are hence advised to inquire about these beforehand so as to avoid dangerous encounters. Note also that Saudi Arabia has a very developed transport network from which you can choose to move from one region to another. Its road infrastructure is also modern like in many neighboring countries.

 Good to know:

Purchasing your own vehicle in Saudi Arabia can also be a considerable advantage due to low petroleum prices.

Road conditions

If you wish to travel privately, whether alone or with your family, you can either take a taxi or rent a car. Note that some car rental companies offer you the services of a driver alongside, especially if you are not yet used to the Saudi road traffic regulations.

If you still wish to drive on your own, you have to be well prepared to face local drivers' daily routine. In fact, Saudi drivers are famous for their dangerous driving: many of them are caught speaking on the phone while driving or passing red lights. You are less likely to find traffic police on Saudi roads. Thus, do not be surprised to see fights at road accident scenes, between young Saudi nationals and foreigners in particular.

Moreover, if you happen to be involved in a road accident, try to stay calm as you are more likely to be fined than the Saudi drivers due to your foreign nationality. You are also advised to have an Arabic-speaking friend or contact's phone number so that he can support your defense. Otherwise, only the other party's testimony will be taken into account. Having an English speaking insurance agent or taxi driver's number can also be a considerable advantage. Make sure to request a translation of the accident report before signing the document.

Recognized driver's licenses

Three different types of driver's licenses are recognized in Saudi Arabia during the first three months of stay: the UK driver's license, the US driver's license and the international driver's license. In the meantime, you will have obtained your Iqama visa which is a resident permit. Thus, your foreign driver's license will have to be converted into a Saudi driver's license, which will be mandatory thereafter.

Converting your driver's license

Unless you are a UK or US national, you will have to convert your driver's license as soon as you obtain your Iqama visa. This driver's license has a 10 years validity period and is issued following a computerized driving test. To apply for a Saudi driver's license, the following documents have to be produced:

• the green application form (which is available at the Saudi Ministry of Transport office, on its website or with driving schools in Arabic version only)
• your original Iqama visa along with a copy
• your original and valid passport along with a copy
• an authorization letter issued by your sponsor
• your original driver's license along with an official translation
• four color passport-type identity pictures
• your blood group test (can be obtained at a local hospital or clinic)
• reports of your eye tests (can be performed at a local hospital or clinic)
• tax payment bill (amounting to 435 riyals and issued by banks such as the Al-Rajhi Bank or Riyadh Bank).

Once you have submitted your application file, you will have to take driving lessons with a driving school and necessary indications from traffic police. Your colleagues or your sponsor can advise you regarding the most reliable driving schools. Finally, your new driver's license should be issued within a week.

 Warning:

Driving is prohibited to women under Saudi laws, whether or not they are of foreign origin. Hence, they are allowed to travel by car only with a male relative, their spouse or an authorized driver.

 Useful links:

Ministry of Interior - Renewal or replacement or driver's license www.moi.gov.sa/wps
General Traffic Department www.moi.gov.sa/wps/portal/traffic/
Fees www.moi.gov.sa/wps/portal/trafficriyadh/