Saudi Drivers
Jun 9th 2011, 3:31 pm
#1
Meandering
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 27
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.
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.
Jun 9th 2011, 3:48 pm
#2
Forum Regular
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 63
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!
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!
Jun 9th 2011, 3:56 pm
#3
Meandering
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 27
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!
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!
Helpful post^
Jun 9th 2011, 4:36 pm
#4
Forum Regular
Joined: Feb 2011
Location: Dubai ex Edinburgh
Posts: 279
Re: Saudi Drivers
Best of luck anyway
Jun 9th 2011, 7:41 pm
#5
Off Topic
Joined: May 2011
Location: Jeddah
Posts: 259
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.
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...
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.
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...
Jun 9th 2011, 8:23 pm
#6
Not an evil hypnotist
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,975
Re: Saudi Drivers
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.
Jun 9th 2011, 8:28 pm
#7
Forum Regular
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 47
Re: Saudi Drivers
Also, I rented a car several times with only a US license through a local rent-a-car (before I got my Saudi license).
Jun 9th 2011, 8:49 pm
#8
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jan 2008
Location: Riyadh.
Posts: 1,899
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!
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!
THe only country in the world to ban women from driving. IMHO, the ban aint gonna be lifted any time soon either.
Jun 9th 2011, 9:10 pm
#9
Off Topic
Joined: May 2011
Location: Jeddah
Posts: 259
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.
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.
Jun 17th 2011, 10:52 am
#10
Meandering
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 27
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
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
Jun 18th 2011, 3:22 am
#11
Just Joined
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3
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
however in Aramco compound women can drive their car but not sure about the other compounds in the country
Jun 18th 2011, 8:59 am
#12
Confirmed grumpy old man
Joined: May 2005
Location: Moved back to Riyadh KSA 2016
Posts: 1,298
Re: Saudi Drivers
Also what religion and ethnicity are you?
Jun 18th 2011, 9:01 am
#13
Confirmed grumpy old man
Joined: May 2005
Location: Moved back to Riyadh KSA 2016
Posts: 1,298
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.
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.
Jun 20th 2011, 5:41 am
#14
Not an evil hypnotist
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,975
Re: Saudi Drivers
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
* all my female Saudi friends work, which is how I've been able to become friends with them in the first place.
Jun 20th 2011, 11:24 am
#15
Meandering
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 27
Re: Saudi Drivers
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-13809684
Wow.
Honestly, does anyone actually see anything come of this?
Women in Saudi Arabia have been openly driving cars in defiance of an official ban on female drivers in the ultra-conservative kingdom.
The direct action has been organised on social network sites, where women have been posting images and videos of themselves behind the wheel.
The Women2Drive Facebook page said the direct action would continue until a royal decree reversed the ban.
Last month, a woman was arrested after uploading a video of herself driving.
Manal al-Sherif was accused of "besmirching the kingdom's reputation abroad and stirring up public opinion", but was released after 10 days having promised not to drive again.
The direct action has been organised on social network sites, where women have been posting images and videos of themselves behind the wheel.
The Women2Drive Facebook page said the direct action would continue until a royal decree reversed the ban.
Last month, a woman was arrested after uploading a video of herself driving.
Manal al-Sherif was accused of "besmirching the kingdom's reputation abroad and stirring up public opinion", but was released after 10 days having promised not to drive again.
Honestly, does anyone actually see anything come of this?