I spent yesterday making the trip to Jeddah to get my driver’s license. I could do it here in Yanbu, but when someone who speaks Arabic and got his license in Yanbu tells you to go to Jeddah, you listen. I’d had the trip rescheduled several times, since it’s best to go with someone who’s been before and can help. I had a coworker headed down to take care of some shipment paperwork, and he’d got his license there a few months ago so he was able to find it and give me some pointers.
The drive to Jeddah is around 3 1/2 hours. It’s straight and flat, with mountains to the east and the Red Sea somewhere out to the west. There are a few small villages, several different industrial plants, colleges, sand dunes and a few interesting buildings interspersed that help break the monotony. I’m sure we will post more details when we make our first leisurely family trip. The one unique aspect of this trip was the standing water from the rains we got last Monday. May not see that again for awhile.
We left Yanbu at 5 a.m. arrived at the Dallah Driving School at 8:45. As soon as we stepped out of the car, we had guys approaching us, hocking their assistance for obtaining the license. My coworker told them that we were there for something else and we move on. He told me the process was easy enough that the help isn’t needed. My coworker needed to be at the port by 9:30 with a thirty minute drive, so he walked to the front door and pointed me in the general direction I needed to go before heading out.
I headed through the doors and turned left to the Information Desk to pick up my application. The gentleman required a photocopy of my iqama, Texas driver’s license, and four passport sized photos. I had all this prepared thanks to the help of my coworkers, so he reviewed it, handed it back to me, and pointed me back outside to have the application filled out in Arabic.
There are a few buildings set up just inside the outer wall but outside the driving school gate that houses a cafeteria and several groups of gentlemen that provide the filling service and deposit of funds into your MOI account. They have one gentleman that stands outside like a carnival barker. I picked one out and stepped inside a small shack with four chairs, two guys sitting behind computers, and an older gentleman who asked for my iqama and application. The barker asked me if I wanted a bebsi (there is no p in the Arabic alphabet). I thanked him and declined. He finished quickly and asked for 10 riyal. I paid, and he asked if I wanted the license for 2, 5, or 10 years. I had already taken care of the funds deposit through my bank’s online service, so I told him, “Already paid.” He returned my papers and I headed back in for the medical exam.
I approached the main desk in the medical room and was pointed to a room immediately. I entered and sat across from an older doctor. He pointed to the wall and asked what I saw. I looked over and saw an upward facing E from the Tumbling E eye chart projected on the wall. I said, “Uhhh, up…” and waited for the next one to appear. Not much waiting, as he stamped my application, signed off, and said “khalas.” I had my first stamp.
I went out to Window #10 – Translation and gave my application and Texas license to two gentlemen in thobes behind a bank worthy glass window. Since I didn’t need to take any classes or a written test, I got to skip windows 1-9. 10 minutes and 75 riyals later, I was directed to Window #12.
Another aspect of making this a successful trip is convincing the local Very Important Traffic Official that I needed to have my license issued today. Most times, the application is completed and you are asked to return a few days later to pick up the license. So after the translation, I made my first approach to the bouncer type guy who sits at the door of the VITO and determines whether or not you get to see the Wiz. He looked it over and seemed to understand my request, then sent me to Window #11. He wanted me to be a little further along before granting me audience with the VITO.
Window #11 was labeled File Check. They looked it over, stamped it and sent me out for my driving test. I walked back into the courtyard and down a small alley to the driving area. It’s a small course set up within the walls of the school. I was greeted by a gentleman who ushered me and two other guys to a waiting car. There was already someone sitting in the front seat, so we piled into the back. I somehow ended up in the middle. It appeared to be a Pakistani in the driver’s seat, with a Saudi on my left and and Indian on my right. I also had my very large backpack on my lap. All inside a Toyota Corolla. Any tighter and we would’ve been officially practicing International Relations. We sat silently for about five minutes waiting on the instructor and avoiding any potentially misunderstood touching.
He arrived with his stamp and took the passenger seat. The driver started to put his seat belt on and the instructor stopped him and told him to drive. He put the car into first, eased out and turned a corner. The instructor told him to stop, stamped his application and sent him on his way. He hopped out and began the short walk back. The Saudi jumped out next. He got in the front seat and I scooted over into his empty seat. He handed his paperwork to the instructor, positioned his hands at 10 & 2, and hit the gas. The car didn’t move, so naturally he hit the gas harder. He gave a worried look at the instructor and pushed a little harder on the gas. The car still didn’t move. He never put the car in gear. I think he knew right-go, left-stop and that was it. The instructor said, “khalas.” He. Stamped. His. Application. I’d like to think he stamped and wrote that he needed training, but.
I hopped out of the back and into the front. The car was in neutral, the parking brake not set. I put my seat belt on, checked my mirrors, put the car in first and slowly let the clutch out. I figured I could ride the clutch all the way back to Yanbu and not fail, but a stall would not be good. I never even got the clutch all the way out, traveled about 20 feet, and was told to stop. He stamped my application and sent me back inside to Window #12.
Window #12 was also labeled File Check. He took my paperwork, checked my stamp collection, and said, “Khalas, no more testing. Window #17.” I walked over to #17, License Issue. There was 17, 18, 19 and 20, all License Issue, but broken up by nationality. I determined this was the last stop, so before handing my paperwork in, I wanted to make sure that it would be issued before I left Jeddah for the day. Time to visit VITO.
I had the requisite stamps to break through the velvet rope and into VITO’s well-appointed office. I explained I was from Yanbu and wanted to make sure I could have my license issued before I left for the day. He dismissed me with the wave of the hand and told me if it wasn’t issued within thirty minutes that I should come back and see him.
The only station open was Window #18, so I got in line and waited. A Somewhat Less Important Traffic Official waved me over to Window #17 and took my paperwork. The SLITO took my paperwork into a back room. Three minutes later, he returned with my license. Looked at my watch, 9:33. Forty-five minutes and done. Much better than three days in Yanbu.
I waited a few minutes before texting my coworker, not wanting to rush him. About 10:00, I let him know I was finished and asked for an ETA so I could be outside waiting. He replied that he was stuck in traffic. On the way to the port. I settled in for some prime people watching and began the long wait. I got the text at 11:00 that he was headed back.
He picked me up at 11:30 and we headed for Texas Roadhouse. There is a row of restaurants in one of the nicer parts of Jeddah that has the Roadhouse, P.F. Chang’s, The Cheesecake Factory, and…IHOP. We got caught in sluggish traffic and didn’t make it until prayer time, so we got to wait outside until they opened back up. Saw some nice vehicles come through the drop-off lane, including a Maserati and a few Porsches. More female faces and hair. The steak was excellent, better than any Roadhouse steak I’ve had in the States. The drawback was the price, with a meal for two coming in at around 350 riyal (~$95).
I waited outside while the coworker went to settle some business before the long trip back. More people watching, and more entertainment. Wait…
Is that…is that? Is it…
Yup, it is.
From Tennessee To Texas to Saudi Arabia 