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Post by kyle1639 on Oct 7, 2022 5:07:05 GMT
My husband rented from the airport, end of his first week. Got a taxi up,to get it. Then switched it out for one from Samara on camp ($1k a month), a little bit more expensive but a lot bigger, still has a week left on that. To buy you need your Iqama and a KSA licence, there are no finance options for people with less than 6 months in country. We bought ours yesterday, I can drive it for 3 months on my UK licence according to the insiurance. Don’t know if that’s 3 months from arriving or receiving Iqama, though. I suspect the former. You are right, three months from day of arrival. |
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tamsin
Senior VIP Expat
Posts: 655
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Post by tamsin on Oct 7, 2022 5:28:31 GMT
My husband rented from the airport, end of his first week. Got a taxi up,to get it. Then switched it out for one from Samara on camp ($1k a month), a little bit more expensive but a lot bigger, still has a week left on that. To buy you need your Iqama and a KSA licence, there are no finance options for people with less than 6 months in country. We bought ours yesterday, I can drive it for 3 months on my UK licence according to the insiurance. Don’t know if that’s 3 months from arriving or receiving Iqama, though. I suspect the former. You are right, three months from day of arrival. Ta! I thought so. I have heard that it can be faster if you do the 3 lesson route, they book the test for you, apparently. I wondered if I could do it that way on one of my other licences rather than UK. Got a full deck of ‘em 😂 |
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Post by kyle1639 on Oct 8, 2022 5:13:23 GMT
You are right, three months from day of arrival. Ta! I thought so. I have heard that it can be faster if you do the 3 lesson route, they book the test for you, apparently. I wondered if I could do it that way on one of my other licences rather than UK. Got a full deck of ‘em 😂 😂😂it took me three attempts at the driving school to get it. And the third attempt they only looked at my license and said I'll get my new one in the post. First two times I tried to do it myself and got turned away or the system was down, but third time I used the Alfifa service at Midra Tower, was met by an alfifa rep, they filled out all my paperwork and it was done. Would highly recommend folks to try this way instead of doing it on your own |
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Falcon
Member
Posts: 28
Job Status: Accepted Aramco Job
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Post by Falcon on Oct 8, 2022 12:35:49 GMT
I read all the messages but still it is not crystal clear that one can get rent a car or not? If yes, then from where either airport or in the camp or outside camp.... I expect a very clear answer...
Thank you.
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tamsin
Senior VIP Expat
Posts: 655
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Post by tamsin on Oct 8, 2022 12:47:38 GMT
I read all the messages but still it is not crystal clear that one can get rent a car or not? If yes, then from where either airport or in the camp or outside camp.... I expect a very clear answer... Thank you. I think, the problem with the very clear answer is because it depends on the day. Some will, some won’t and it really depends on who deals with you. My husband did in camp and out of camp, no iqama for the first and iqama and no KSA licence for the second, but there are no guarantees. One thing that I know will be tricky, is driving from the airport for the first time and attempting to get onto the camp without proper camp ID for you or your car. You’ll be collected by someone from Aramco who will bring you in, and also help you get your sim. |
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tamsin
Senior VIP Expat
Posts: 655
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Post by tamsin on Oct 8, 2022 12:48:59 GMT
Ta! I thought so. I have heard that it can be faster if you do the 3 lesson route, they book the test for you, apparently. I wondered if I could do it that way on one of my other licences rather than UK. Got a full deck of ‘em 😂 😂😂it took me three attempts at the driving school to get it. And the third attempt they only looked at my license and said I'll get my new one in the post. First two times I tried to do it myself and got turned away or the system was down, but third time I used the Alfifa service at Midra Tower, was met by an alfifa rep, they filled out all my paperwork and it was done. Would highly recommend folks to try this way instead of doing it on your own Oh my, 3? It’s booking the test that’s getting me, can take ages. Husband just did the switch with Alfifa. Trying not to be bitter about that. |
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Oct 9, 2022 4:59:00 GMT
I read all the messages but still it is not crystal clear that one can get rent a car or not? If yes, then from where either airport or in the camp or outside camp.... I expect a very clear answer... Thank you. I think, the problem with the very clear answer is because it depends on the day. Some will, some won’t and it really depends on who deals with you. My husband did in camp and out of camp, no iqama for the first and iqama and no KSA licence for the second, but there are no guarantees. One thing that I know will be tricky, is driving from the airport for the first time and attempting to get onto the camp without proper camp ID for you or your car. You’ll be collected by someone from Aramco who will bring you in, and also help you get your sim. As a general rule nothing is clear in KSA. You need to readjust your mindset if you are to survive here more than a few months! Everything is fluid and the norms you expect in the West, do not apply. Customer service is a shambles. I couldn't get a SIM card at the airport when i first arrived as the 'system was down'. I noticed others in the line got theirs ok.... It was actually because they couldn't be bothered to make a telephone call to confirm a few things. I persisted and eventually got it after about an hour, but it was stressful and a c_rap way to start my time here. I now know that If I want anything done, find someone who has "wasta" who can help you, and it will be done quickly without fuss. |
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Post by amgwilliams on Oct 9, 2022 19:51:46 GMT
I think, the problem with the very clear answer is because it depends on the day. Some will, some won’t and it really depends on who deals with you. My husband did in camp and out of camp, no iqama for the first and iqama and no KSA licence for the second, but there are no guarantees. One thing that I know will be tricky, is driving from the airport for the first time and attempting to get onto the camp without proper camp ID for you or your car. You’ll be collected by someone from Aramco who will bring you in, and also help you get your sim. As a general rule nothing is clear in KSA. You need to readjust your mindset if you are to survive here more than a few months! Everything is fluid and the norms you expect in the West, do not apply. Customer service is a shambles. I couldn't get a SIM card at the airport when i first arrived as the 'system was down'. I noticed others in the line got theirs ok.... It was actually because they couldn't be bothered to make a telephone call to confirm a few things. I persisted and eventually got it after about an hour, but it was stressful and a c_rap way to start my time here. I now know that If I want anything done, find someone who has "wasta" who can help you, and it will be done quickly without fuss. sounds like you are fairly new to Aramco, i'm due December as single status and concerned about the accommodation as there's varying reviews. Do you have any insight to the single persons accommodation? what is expected when you first arrive? Thanks |
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Post by kennyshtia on Oct 12, 2022 2:37:27 GMT
Ta! I thought so. I have heard that it can be faster if you do the 3 lesson route, they book the test for you, apparently. I wondered if I could do it that way on one of my other licences rather than UK. Got a full deck of ‘em 😂 😂😂it took me three attempts at the driving school to get it. And the third attempt they only looked at my license and said I'll get my new one in the post. First two times I tried to do it myself and got turned away or the system was down, but third time I used the Alfifa service at Midra Tower, was met by an alfifa rep, they filled out all my paperwork and it was done. Would highly recommend folks to try this way instead of doing it on your own Hi Kyle, Can you please share more info about Alfifa and if I can arrange my Saudi driving license online with them prior to arrival to KSA? TIA |
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Post by kennyshtia on Oct 12, 2022 2:54:58 GMT
Could anybody advise about the rental shops around Dhahran camp where there is no need for Iqama and Saudi driving license please
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tamsin
Senior VIP Expat
Posts: 655
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Post by tamsin on Oct 12, 2022 6:36:51 GMT
Could anybody advise about the rental shops around Dhahran camp where there is no need for Iqama and Saudi driving license please Yello did for my husband, if you have an international licence then much easier than his U.K. one, a lot of companies just said no. |
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Post by tehas on Oct 12, 2022 16:17:58 GMT
I cannot walk to restroom, so car rental was mandatory 😀. Lumirental is the cheapest one, they have Aramco discount, use Aramco as a coupon name. 90 sat per day including all insurance with no deductible.
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Post by kyle1639 on Oct 13, 2022 3:31:03 GMT
😂😂it took me three attempts at the driving school to get it. And the third attempt they only looked at my license and said I'll get my new one in the post. First two times I tried to do it myself and got turned away or the system was down, but third time I used the Alfifa service at Midra Tower, was met by an alfifa rep, they filled out all my paperwork and it was done. Would highly recommend folks to try this way instead of doing it on your own Hi Kyle, Can you please share more info about Alfifa and if I can arrange my Saudi driving license online with them prior to arrival to KSA? TIA Hi there, Unfortunately you won't be able to arrange anything until you are in Kingdom and have your iqama. You need the iqama and absher as part of the process. My advice is, as soon as you get your iqama open a Saudi Bank account, SABB do to an e-account which can be opened online in minutes. Be sure to pay the driving license fee through SADAD in your online banking. Go to al-fifa and begin the process. Take your origin country original driving license, they will initially translate it for you the accompany you to the driving school once everything is prepared. Also, don't take the two year licence, minimum take the 5, seems alot of money but will save hassle in two years time. |
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Post by kennyshtia on Oct 13, 2022 6:43:26 GMT
Could anybody advise about the rental shops around Dhahran camp where there is no need for Iqama and Saudi driving license please Yello did for my husband, if you have an international licence then much easier than his U.K. one, a lot of companies just said no. I have Australian driving license, Do you think it is better I get also international driving permit from Australia before coming to KSA? (I thought they need it to be in Arabic to be valid in KSA!) |
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tamsin
Senior VIP Expat
Posts: 655
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Post by tamsin on Oct 13, 2022 9:16:24 GMT
Yello did for my husband, if you have an international licence then much easier than his U.K. one, a lot of companies just said no. I have Australian driving license, Do you think it is better I get also international driving permit from Australia before coming to KSA? (I thought they need it to be in Arabic to be valid in KSA!) I don’t think you need to translate to hire, I think they are more widely accepted than national ones, so if you can… |
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