kittycat1

I have said this befroe but i finally mean it; Right I have decided to bite the bullet and change my driving licence over and get myself a motor (two years later).

So step 1- changing of licence- so I need an emirates id card to do this? and what do I do and where do I go?

Step 2
hiring a car- think its best to knock about in someone elses car whilst I get used to the driving here so which comapny is best to use?

Step 3
Car shopping- i think I'm going to go for a jeep wrangler soft top- anyone any feedback on them? what colour should I go for (easiest for resale, doesn't get too hot etc- not justa stupid girlie question).

Anyone want to go and do all this for me?

Kittycat
xxx

shiva

Search forum for 1&2 for 3, great cars, you'll ****ing hate it in the summer with a soft top though even with a hard top the ac is pretty crap in summer

LaLaLayla

1. There is a typing centre in Knowledge Village, Abu Dhabi end, inside the building which houses the Medical Fitness Centre. Give them some cash, passport photos, a copy of your passport (and some other stuff which I can't recall offhand) and they will type the application for you and send it off. Then you will be sent an appointment for fingerprinting and photos. Then they will send your ID card to the post office and you will get an SMS to go and pick it up. All takes about 3 weeks.

2. We used Thrify and were quite happy with them.

3. Just bought a Jeep Cherokee (never had one before) and I must say I love it! Also good off-road. Would recommend. Quite high falling-over risk, but I try not to think about that...

the_red_sheep

Take a look here - http://www.emiratesid.ae/en/home.aspx


I use DiamondLease, always been very happy with them. Service is quick and (relatively) easy. Get a friend who uses Hertz, and again on the whole they seem pretty good.

Personally wouldn't touch a Jeep Wrnagler with a barge poll, apart from the issues with it being a soft top, the ride is bouncy to say the least and the resale isn't going to be great. If you want a 4x4 get as new (but not brand new) a Japanese or German (or Korean to a slightly lesser extent) anything as you can afford, they should be reliable and hold there value. Avoid anything American like the plauge

Nope

Oyibopeppeh

Unless you're seriously into wadi bashing or value your kidneys intact, don't go near the Wrangler, the ride is just too uncomfortable!

seven seas

The Wrangler is not very much fun for driving from AUH-DXB. too noisy

_jon_

Interested to see why 'No American' is mentioned. I've always had a soft spot for the Ford Explorer and thought they were pretty bullet-proof.

kittycat1

jon- i dont think anyone is trying to shoot me!

the_red_sheep

I don't like 'em. Although would acccept Fords as about the best of a bad bunch. As for Chevvy's, Mustang, Chrysler etc I'd rather walk. Personal preference.

_jon_

I'm sure you could sort out a kevlar basque if that was the case.


As a noob to the board, how have you managed so long without driving?

flood2

American cars generally;

break down a lot,
bits fall off a lot...
the spare posts cost a lot

Spare parts are much cheaper for Japanese cars and most garages know how to fix them.

It is much easier just to avoid them

Autonomy

Bought soft top Rubicon Wrangler in 2005. Paid 50,000dhs. Could sell it today for 30,000dhs minimum.

It's not a car, it's part of the family. It's loud, hot, annoying, uncompromising, selfish... but bloody lovely.

Can't say what would work for you, but I do think when a car clicks with you the specs etc fade away...

The minute you see the right car... cliche.... but it is love at first sight. Go visit all the dealers and check them all out.

Not very sensible advice, but it worked for me. Still happily married to daft old Jeep....

kittycat1

Jon,

well i live next door to one of the emirates staff buildings so there are always taxis out the front and I work next door to a shopping mall so can get a taxi easily at night when Im not cadging a lift. I then have some lovely friends who pick me up and drop me off. I kind of kept putting it off-when i get back from the next trip and then would have another trip booked in and before you know it its two years later.

So I do need an id card do I?

Spugsy

Yeah Cat, that's the one you climb into the back in when I'm in the front.

norsk

In Dubai - no you don't..!

1. You need an eye test. Go to any optician and tell them it's for drivers license. Costs about AED100.
2. You need a no objection letter from your sponsor
3. You need a few passport photos (2 in total i think, 1 for eye test paper and 1 for application in RTA)
4. You need your original passport and UK license plus copies of everything
5. Fill out application form in RTA
6. Pay AED410 for the license itself.

I went to the RTA in Al Quoz which is 2 minutes from MOE. Go 7.30 in the morning and there is nobody there. Took me a total of 15 minutes including waiting for the chap to turn up to take my picture..