Saudi Drivers
 

http://www.news24.com/World/News/Def...crash-20101121

Came across this article.

Was wondering if the law about women drivers applies only to Saudi nationals, or does it apply to all women that live in the country?

I am still deciding on a place to relocate to, and would be taking my partner. Just want to know if she will be able to drive while out there?

If not, then it looks like Saudi is off the list!

Thanks guys.

Re: Saudi Drivers
 

It absolutely applies to all women living in the country. Whether Saudi or not.
However, women can drive within western compounds in Riyadh. Some of these are very large, so that is helpful. In the cities, your partner will need to be chauffeured around.

Out in the deserts though, a blind eye is turned. Few people around to spot her driving anyway!

Re: Saudi Drivers
 

Thanks for this. Well, maybe Saudi is not going to be knocked off my list. She gets chauffered around by me any way. Just a thought because, of course, I am not going to be around all the time and she may need to go and do something.

Helpful post^
:thumbup:

Re: Saudi Drivers
 

If you truly love her than please don't put her through this ordeal, alrite if this is the only way you can get rid of her.

Best of luck anyway :thumbup:

Re: Saudi Drivers
 

Note that you need a legal marriage certificate if you want to take your "partner" to Saudi. Even you are not allowed to speak here with anybody of other gender. Only with your spouse and kids.

It is one legal exception for female driving in Saudi.
It is not written anywhere thet woman can not drive. Woman can not get driver licence because she simply will not be allowed to enter the licencing office. :banghead:
If you are resident then you must have Saudi driving licence, but before you get your iqama (residence permit) you can drive on your foreign licence.
On foreign licence you can not buy or rent a car, even on any licence you can not drive not your own car without police authorisation. But female can bring her own car (somebody having her authorisation can drive into Saudi) and then drive here on foreign licence up to three months while visa is valid or she gets her iqama.
BTW, said above may not exempt her from jail or lashes... :thumbdown:

Re: Saudi Drivers
 

:rofl:

Oh come on - this may be the letter of the law, and it may be wise to keep looking over your shouder in certain instances, but this is far from being the reality of life in Saudi.

I have more female Saudi friends than I do male Saudi friends.

Re: Saudi Drivers
 

I agree - it's not quite as severe as it sounds. Just takes a little time to get a feel for what's OK and what's not.

Also, I rented a car several times with only a US license through a local rent-a-car (before I got my Saudi license).

Re: Saudi Drivers
 

Depends on the compound - some allow it ( or they turn the other cheek, rather than 'allow' ) and some state that only those with driving licences are allowed to drive on the compound - in other words , no women.

THe only country in the world to ban women from driving. IMHO, the ban aint gonna be lifted any time soon either.

Re: Saudi Drivers
 

You are right, guys. I said "you are not allowed" and not "you can not".
I also rented a car with foreign licence without problems, but if you are in car accident then you are in troubles. And in big troubles if you were in car with female Saudi friend.

Compounds are not exception. Saudi law is valid everywhere, but there is no traffic police (unless you are in fatal accident) nor religion one, and freedom there depends on mood of compound owners and local security guys.

Re: Saudi Drivers
 

Wow.

Just found this article. It's pretty recent and quite insane!

I understand how it has happened, but HOW has it happened in a country surround by oil?

Damn us westerner's insatiable thirst for oil.
(hmm, probably could have used better words there!)

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worl...t-of-fuel.html

:ohmy:

Re: Saudi Drivers
 

it does apply to all women that live in the country
however in Aramco compound women can drive their car but not sure about the other compounds in the country

Re: Saudi Drivers
 

'Typical', are you a male? if so and you have many female Saudi friends how do you socialise with them and where?

Also what religion and ethnicity are you?

Re: Saudi Drivers
 

To repeat what others have said to the OP.

You say 'partner'. I presume you are not married.

In this case your partner would have to get employment in their own right if they were to go to Saudi.

In addition, living together would be a very risky business, particularly if this were outside a compound.

Re: Saudi Drivers
 

I'm a white British male atheist...

I'd meet and chat to them in their homes, at their work*, or in high end restaurants. (Or in Dubai / Jordan / etc. ;) ) Wouldn't risk coffee shops in the Kingdom.

Then again there are certain coffee shops I wouldn't risk meeting my male Saudi friends in, wouldn't want to get people talking :eek:



* all my female Saudi friends work, which is how I've been able to become friends with them in the first place.

Re: Saudi Drivers
 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-13809684

Wow.

Honestly, does anyone actually see anything come of this?