Friday, July 20, 2012

Getting Driving License in Saudi Arabia


Getting a driving license in Saudi Arabia is neccessary in my view in order to freely and cheaply travel on roads. But for some people its being a nightmare and they opt for wrong ways to get the driving license. But in my opinion getting driving license is very easy in Saudi Arabia.
I got my driving license from Riyadh (Old Dallah(one on takasusi road). But now there are many centers from where you can get the driving license.
There are two ways to apply for the driving license, one is that you already have a license or you dont have a license.
In order to get the driving license, you must have the following things
  • Application form fully filled and signed by you. (It is avaliable inside the Dallah school or outside on shops).
  • Two recenet photographs.
  • Blood Group from any medical center. It must be Original else from outside Dallah Driving school you have to get it done at cost of 30SAR.
  • The copy of you iqama, passport and visa
  • If you have your country driving license then you must have get it translated into arabic from any registered translation center. (The cost varies from 20 SAR to 30 SAR).
"put all of the documets with the application of top in a Green File Cover avalible from outside Dallah or any stationary shop" Dont forget to put all your documents in file the file cover just cost like 1 or 2 SAR.
After Go the Dallah School Room 2 and get you documents checked that they are complete. If they are complete he will put stamps on your application form.
After getting your form stamped you may go to room 4 for initial driving test with your file. Initial Driving test is very simple you just have to move a car usually "Toyota Camry" on a round about. It is just to check that you know driving. If you clear the test he will do signature with pass else he will fail you.
If you fail the test then may directly go to the fee counter and pay fee for driving school. In this case you have to attend fifteen days driving classes. If you pass the test but you dont have driving license or have expires driving license of your country then you have to attend 4 days classes, The fee for it is i think 450 SAR.
If you pass the test then go Driving License Check Window, show them your country license and iqama both original. If he finds your license acceptable then he will approve it else he may not sign. In boh cases, then you have to go to fee counter.
When your license is acceptable you have to pay 100 SAR fee , they will give you slip that contains the room number , date and time to take immediate lessons.
Just be in time for the lesson , it is mandatory and you have to attend. In immediate lesson you will be guided about the computer test how it happens and how to do it. Dont worry it is very simple.
After the lesson your slips will be returned with stamp on it (Make sure it is). The instructor will inform you about the date and time of the test.
Be in time for the test, I had to give computer test first and then was driving test.
When You reach on the test day, Hand over your slip to the person at gate for computer test, he will call you to give computer test.
In computer test you have to answer 15/20 correct answers for private driving license and 18/20 for heavy driving license.
(Some hint for computer test, do prepare the whole paper that you get in the immediate lesson class, all the test comes from it).
(other hint most of the time the "All of above" or "All mentioned above"  option is correct but do read the question first)
(Dont hurry in solving the question , solve it by thinking as there is plenty of time).
Once you answered 15 correct ones your computer will tell you congrats, just go outside for the Driving test and wait for your turn.
In driving test there are mulitple tests that can occur (for my friends parallel parking was the test) For me four person sat in the car and they have to drive the car in an area where instrutor says ,
just for guidance
  • do follow the signals
  • dont  panic
  • adjust your seat according to you self  (even if it is)
  • adjust back and side mirrors (even if they are)
  • Put the seat belt on
  • Remove the handbrake.
  • look in the mirrors
  • and then drive smoothly
  • use the indicators where neccessary
  • while stopping stop at stop sign,
  • park correctly and straight
  • put the hand brake
  • turn on the double signals
  • neutral the car
  • remove the seat belt
After that the test man will tell you to go inside the test room, just go to the window and ask them about the result and if it successful you will get your green file back, if it is not then you will get the slip back. (If you fail then you have 2 chances left)
After getting the green file, go to the room no 1 to issue the driving license, get the token and then wait for your turn, submit the file, give them your orignal iqama and you will get you license (congrats). (Before submitting file make sure, you have original blood test report in file, bank payment is made under your iqama number)
Best of luck

Getting New Baby Registered in Saudi Arabia (that is Born in KSA)


My daugther was borned in Saudi Arabia.
In order to get Iqama for my baby i followed the following step.
  1. I got the birth ceritificate from the hospital where my daughter was born.(In my case, Obeid Hospital).  In Hospital they took me and my wife iqama copy with copy of passport.
  2. I took this birth certificate to "Ahwal al Madni" to get governmental birth certificate. In " Ahwal al Madni" I took the letter that I got from hospital, my iqama and my wife iqama copy. They asked my come after 2:00 pm. But I went there very next day and told them the baby name and showed my iqama. (They gave me the Birth certificate that was in arabic.)
  3. I then took that certificate along with me and my wife's country ID card orignal to the my own country's embassy. (in my case Pakistan embassy). I then applied for my daughter National Id card for overseas. (They gave me the time to 40 days but after 10 to 15 days you can apply for the passport as new ID card number has been issued from Pakistan).
  4. I then after getting the ID card of my daughter applied for passport. We has no finger scan but we has photo and data entry. They gave us the time of 15days to get my daughter passport. (Mother's can also add kids to her passport instead of making new passport for baby).
  5. I collected my passport after 13 days.
  6. I the took following to jawzat
    • two snaps of my baby,
    • with her passport copy and original,
    • my passport copy,
    • my visa copy,
    • my iqama copy and original .
    • A jawazat form filled and signed from kafeel (or company). (The form is avaliable inside and outside of jawazat)
  7. I went to first floor to the counter written "baby born in KSA" gave them the above documents and they gave me iqama for my baby with in five minutes, Alhamdolilah
I hope this might help you in getting your baby born in Saudi Arabia registered and getting iqama for your baby