Being able to legally drive a car is a big achievement for many young people, and these days more and more young people are looking to become legal road users as soon as possible. Cars are flooding cities, providing a more confident and independent way to travel than public transport, and in some places, such as Australia, having a car is almost mandatory, especially in countryside towns due to the long distances. In the US, the situation is much the same, and this affects some factors related to the ability to get a driver’s license. For example, in the US and Canada, you can get a driver’s license at 16, in most European countries this age is 18. In places where the minimum driving age is, there’s a need for this. At the same time in Europe, public transport is more developed, so not everyone decides to buy a private car. It’s possible to become a driver without problems in almost every place in the world, the only thing that may differ is the price and the requirements for a student on the road. And if by a lucky coincidence you are already a driver and are looking for a job in Saudi Arabia, which may be related to driving a car, you can follow the link https://layboard.in/vacancies/jobs-in-saudi-arabia/speciality/driver and see the available vacancies for people with a driver’s license, and what working conditions there are for such.
Benefits of getting a driver’s license
For people all over the world, the main goal of getting a driver’s license is to be able to independently move from point A to point B, perhaps to be able to give a ride to their friends or family. But for many people, it’s also an opportunity to earn a living and feed themselves and their families. For example, having a driver’s license opens up the opportunity to work in professions related to driving a car in Saudi Arabia.. This could be working as a taxi driver, or working in some kind of food or parcel delivery service. If a person has the opportunity to obtain a license to drive larger vehicles, such as trucks or semi-trailers, he opens up many new horizons in terms of employment, since good drivers, especially on large vehicles, are really valuable and have an important role in logistics in the country and internationally. But even if you are an ordinary driver of an ordinary car, you can find work anywhere in the world.
The only obstacle may be that you received a driver’s license in your home country, but according to the laws of many countries, in order to legally be a driver, you need to get a local driver’s license for a long term job, or IDP, and it’s also important for work. A license from your home country will be valid for some time, but if this is an important factor for you, after immigrating to Saudi Arabia, you should immediately think about how to get a local document allowing you to drive a car.
If you are going to Saudi Arabia for a short period of time (1-3 years), there is a chance that you’ll not need to re-issue a local license, but in any case, you’ll need to obtain an IDP. An International Driving Permit is a document that is required from foreigners who drive a car, and all issues related to this document are regulated by the UN. The IDP is issued through an international network of AIT/FIA member organizations that are authorized to issue IDPs. Most countries, including Saudi Arabia, require foreigners to have an IDP if they are going to drive a car outside their country. Having an IDP means that you will be able to drive a car abroad without having to pass any additional tests or exams. To obtain an IDP, you must contact the appropriate organization in the country where you received your driver’s license before starting your trip. But do not forget that the IDP is an addition that does not replace the driver’s license itself. To drive a car abroad, you must have an IDP and a national driving license from your country.
How does the application process for an IDP work and what does it involve?
Applying for an IDP is usually quick and easy if you go to an authorized agency that handles these issues. The application process itself is designed to be easy to use. You can complete the application in just a few steps, without complicated paperwork, as long as you submit your documents to the right place in Saudi Arabia..
As for the validity period – since it was designed with both tourists and temporary workers in mind, you can choose an IDP valid for 1 to 3 years, depending on your travel needs. In any case, this document can be extended later. The advantage of an IDP over a license from a certain country is that it’s translated into 12 languages, which helps overcome language barriers with local authorities if any questions arise.
What documents should I have with me in order to get a document for driving in Saudi Arabia?
As already mentioned, you need to get an IDP. But in order to get this document, you need to submit your documents to the relevant authority in your country. Here are the basic requirements for obtaining your IDP, which are valid in all countries:
- A valid driver’s license: You must already have a valid driver’s license from your home country when you apply for an IDP.
- Age: To apply for such a document, you must be 18 years or older. This is also the minimum age to drive a vehicle in Saudi Arabia.
- Application form: Fill out the IDP application form, usually available on the website of the issuing authority.
- Identification: Identification document – passport and passport photo – is required in Saudi Arabia.
- Cost: The cost associated with obtaining an IDP, varies depending on your IDP provider in your country.
It’s also extremely important that the IDP is issued in the country of your citizenship and where you are traveling to work from; you cannot apply for one once you are in Saudi Arabia.
With this document, in combination with a work visa and work permit, you can easily work in Saudi Arabia in vacancies related to driving a car. An important point for this will also be familiarization with the local traffic rules, which may not be very different from how they drive in your home country, but small discrepancies in the usual order and new local traffic rules can attract many fines and troubles associated with this. Therefore, in addition to obtaining an IDP, I advise you to familiarize yourself with the traffic rules in Saudi Arabia, and upon arrival, follow them in order to avoid problems with the law, since in this country they like to monitor compliance with the rules.
