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Post by Canadanewsman on Mar 28, 2014 15:12:30 GMT
I am wondering whether it is necessary to bring or purchase a vehicle for getting around. In particular, I like to scuba dive and have equipment.
Can you rent cars, or is it better to get your own?
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Post by vpainter on Mar 28, 2014 21:32:08 GMT
You can lease a car. It will be your personal choice whether you lease long term or buy. You will have to check to see if you can take your leased car to Bahrain if you want to go.
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Post by funtertainer on Apr 3, 2014 0:53:31 GMT
How quickly can one rent/lease a car? Can it be right away (a day or two after arrival) or do you have to wait until the iqama arrives? If waiting for the iqama, what does one do for transportation in the meantime (other than the company buses)?
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Post by vpainter on Apr 5, 2014 21:42:19 GMT
if a car is available, you can rent from day one.
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Post by Gumshoe on Oct 8, 2015 19:48:45 GMT
Shouldn't be a problem leasing a car quickly. Just curious, can you actually fit all your scuba gear on a motorcycle?
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Post by bogiefrommuskogee on Oct 12, 2015 5:47:13 GMT
To buy a motorcycle, you will need a seperate motorcycle license from your driving license. My driving license had a motorcycle endorsement on it so I got both easily although I did have to have it officially translated into Arabic. Aramco had an office in South Admin that did this for me. Not sure if they are still there or not. I haven't been in South Admin in 10 years. Personally I would not recommend riding a motorcycle outside Aramco camps. Driving a car is hazardous enough but a motorcycle is simply too dangerous to risk on a routine basis. A few years ago there was an Aramcon killed probably not more than 3 minutes after he left the Harley dealership on his new bike heading back to camp. He was rear-ended by a distracted driver who was rubber-necking an accident on the other side of the highway. To some motorists, you are even a nice target. If you buy a used bike from someone, legally the bike will need to remain at the agency during the istimara transfer but, in reality, it is highly probable the bike would not be there the next day so they encoue you to take the bike home for the night.
For obtaining a license, I've heard that the Harley Davidson shop can be quite helpful even if you don't buy a Harley. If you currently don't have any motorcycle driving license, if at all possible, try to get one before you leave your home country. It is far easier to convert an existing one in Saudi than to get a new one after you arrive here.
If you don't have an international driving license, I would recommend getting one before you come here. You may be able to rent on your national license. Until you get your iqama and then your Saudi license, your options are limited.
You should have no trouble taking a leased car to Bahrain but you will need to obtain a letter every six months from the dealer. A friend was looking into a lease two weeks ago. I believe it was Toyota that told him he could take the car to any GCC country except the UAE. Another dealer said the UAE was not problem.
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Post by vpainter on Oct 23, 2015 14:16:01 GMT
There are people on camp with motorcycles who have trailers and they would definitely help you get a motorcycle back to camp, so you are not driving it while off camp. Ask around!
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Post by bogiefrommuskogee on Oct 24, 2015 3:17:51 GMT
Any dealership will deliver for free or for a small fee. Maybe SAR 200. But I ride. For anyone that rides, they know that a trailer is not an option.
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Post by johnjayson on Jun 6, 2018 9:30:26 GMT
It's the best to rent a car to go around, since it can carry more and you and your friends can organnize a camping
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Post by mikel on Jun 11, 2023 16:24:19 GMT
Thank you all for your info above.
I have a question regarding US driving license. Do you need to pass all the tests again to get a local driving license? Or can you convert it ?
I will be traveling in 1 month to SA.
Thank you
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arcticengineer
Senior Member
Posts: 180
Job Status: Accepted Aramco Job
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Post by arcticengineer on Jun 15, 2023 9:38:40 GMT
A US drivers license will be converted. I have to drive as part of my job, so my department helped out with the process. I don't know if that is a company wide policy. You will need your Iqama before you can apply for the drivers license, and also an eye exam which will be done at JHAH. From arrival in kingdom to getting my drivers license was a 2-3 month process. I'm pretty sure you can't purchase a vehicle without a Saudi license.
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Post by BlueStaff on Jun 15, 2023 14:08:57 GMT
As a "Resident" you are also limited to 2 cars max, not allowed to buy a car above 5 seats (unless you have sufficient dependents) and not allowed to own a pickup IIRC.
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Post by kyle1639 on Jun 15, 2023 14:56:37 GMT
As a "Resident" you are also limited to 2 cars max, not allowed to buy a car above 5 seats (unless you have sufficient dependents) and not allowed to own a pickup IIRC. You can now buy a car above 5 seats again, the rule was apparently dropped a couple years ago. |
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Post by BlueStaff on Jun 15, 2023 16:14:40 GMT
As a "Resident" you are also limited to 2 cars max, not allowed to buy a car above 5 seats (unless you have sufficient dependents) and not allowed to own a pickup IIRC. You can now buy a car above 5 seats again, the rule was apparently dropped a couple years ago. News to me - but there were workarounds depending on who you knew. |
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Post by kyle1639 on Jun 15, 2023 20:45:53 GMT
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