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EWmums

EWfood

ewmoda

A question to ladies from the UK!!

64

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 03 October 2011 - 12:29

Hi,
I would be grateful if you can help me here:

1- can I drive with my UK driving license in Qatar, or do I need to get an internationsl one from here!?

2- I wonder if you would suggest any specific things for me or for the kids I should bring from UK that I woudln't find in Qatar, or maybe I can get it in cheaper price from here!!! we are shipping few boxes so i have space to squeeze few things in.

Many thanks
xx

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171

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 05 October 2011 - 14:28

Has it pluses and minuses..seconded so down to local company..who thought it was fine to sit on the job till they decided they wanted to do it....many angry phone calls there. Plus, went for medical, guy picked up me first in bus, then proceeded to do a magical bus tour of Doha picking up 20 others..took, I swear to god, 4 hours. When we got there, with my BP sky high, the local guy met us.....handed me the passport and papers and said yella go?! Men not allowed in of course, but had no females to help. A four bus journey after that escapade pushed me to my limit..dropping all and sundry off....made my husband drive all way to get me or I was leaving the country. Same with the driving...they take you up..point you in right direction but don't actually do much...

616

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 05 October 2011 - 11:13

sorry, that's being the employee not the spouse!

616

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 05 October 2011 - 11:13

You see the major oil and gas companies are just nice to their employees. I had to make my own way to my medical :)

1759

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 04 October 2011 - 22:33

so long as you are comfortable with this PL2. Do either you or DH have an RP? You might want to clarify that point with the rental company if not. So long as there is no damage everyone is OK but should the worst happen you don't want to be on the short end of the stick - and get it in writing not verbal. edited by marycatherine on 04/10/2011 edited to add Baffled and I have posted almost simultaneously, but still, given the GCC and Qatar, I'd still request written clarifiication from the rental agency to avoid any possible problems. <em>edited by marycatherine on 04/10/2011</em>

PuppyLove228591

331

Posts

EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 04 October 2011 - 22:23

Marycatherine, it is stated on the rental agreement that one is allowed to drive for 6 months on the IDL and that I am fully covered by the ins while drivng on it. You are right though - it wd be foolish to drive here without valid ins!

171

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 04 October 2011 - 22:03

LOL...can only speak from my experience re employer help...husband works for major oil company...and all spouses get help through all Qatari formalities....not sure how much it actually helps, but they at least have a notion of what they are doing even although they have no urgency about doing it. Re insurance....I obtained temp license within a week of arriving and had RP within the month...although it is now fast tracked to all being done in one week. My husband had been here for a few months before me and had RP and insurance etc....from what I can rememeber I was ok to drive on temp license.....or do you mean insurance with the international license Marycatherine? The only reason I saw the FCO advice was because I googled for info as I knew the international license used to be mandatory but the rules had changed. It is typical Qatar...no-one has a clear idea of what the actual laws are...sure they make them up as they go along.

1759

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 04 October 2011 - 21:46

PL2 I would check into (if you haven't already of course) into your being able to drive more than 10 days on that license AND having insurance cover (the rental agency would be able to help in that regard) especially as neither your husband or you have a residency permit. I'm not saying you're wrong but the info I've gathered over 5 years is that you can't rent or buy a car without a Qatari DL longer than 10 days. As I stood on my brakes -literally- this afternoon on Dring road watching the car in front of me (also literally) burn rubber in that black smoke was coming up - as I imagine was coming from my car tires. It would be prudent to clarify this. If the rental car (and I assume your car is a rental without an RP) is in your DHs name you might not be aware of the legal ramifications.

PuppyLove228591

331

Posts

EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 04 October 2011 - 21:35

You should get your int drivers lic. I got mine (tx to info from this forum!) and my DH couldn't be bothered. It took me about 20mins and cost little. Took my DH best part of a day to get his temp Qatari lic - and it was only valid for a month, so he has to keep renewing until RP is done. My IDL is valid for 6 months. I'm not saying "told you so!" - much!

616

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 04 October 2011 - 21:03

That's interesting. I've been told by fairly reliable sources you can drive on an international licence. Will check again. My understanding is that it's a bit of a faff getting a temporary licence (see my comment below) but happy to be corrected. My experience is though that the vast majority of companies will not give an employee's dependents assistance in getting a driving licence. Most I know won't help for the employee! Maybe I've just got an unlucky group of friends though :)

171

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 04 October 2011 - 18:24

http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/travel-advice-by-country/middle-east-north-africa/qatar See above link from UK Foreign Office....it says you cannot drive on international license....but I know people do. You do not need a resident permit to get temporary driving license....UK one will suffice......this will allow you to drive until the RP is through...then apply for full Qatari one. Most companies sort this out for you, or at least help you to sort it out.

64

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 04 October 2011 - 13:04

Many thanks to all of you, I'm still working so don't have that much time to go shopping but will finish in 2 weeks then will start clothes shopping which is number 1 fav thing!! and tamieg1 thank you for your advice, I never thought of bringing backing stuff, will definitely do this. Cheers xx

616

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 04 October 2011 - 12:05

If you're British you can drive for (?) one week on your British licence. You then need to get it transfered to a Qatari one. This is pretty easy (no need to retake the test for Brits) but can only be done (without much hassle!) once you have your rp. If you get an international licence you don't need to worry about a gap if it takes a while for your rp to come through. I second stocking up on primark kids clothes. Clothes is about the only thing we bring back from holiday now.

9

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 04 October 2011 - 09:31

You definitely do not need an international driving license, you normal UK one will suffice! x

676

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 03 October 2011 - 13:52

Also if you're into baking you might want to bring specific food colourings/flavourings as they only have the artificial ones here (ie birthday cakes)

5

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 03 October 2011 - 13:16

We were told to get an international driving licence. It is really easy, you just need photos and you can print the forms off online. I think the AA provide the service. I would say it's better to be safe than sorry. In terms of what to bring, I would recommend books especially for the kids. The selection here is not good (no Waterstones unfortunately). Adults can get by with a Kindle but it is really hard to find nice kid's books. If you have a son who likes Lego (and I think they all do!) Lego can be bought here but it is expensive and the range is limited. Most other toys are easily findable. Clothes-wise, there is no Primark or TK Max so stock up on cheapy tee-shirts and swimming costumes. Otherwise most things are available. Bizarrely, it's also worth stocking up on birthday cards and wrapping paper. Cards are around £3+ so if you can get a job lot you might save a bit. Best of luck with the move!

171

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 03 October 2011 - 12:39

Hey....you don't need international driving licence..... As to what to bring...where would I start! Have UK shops here with stuff at about 20% more expensive than back home....kids clothes etc would be handy....bedding, especially quilt covers which are expensive and lacking in choice. Basic kitchen stuff is here, not expensive. If you use specific make up....might be a challenge to find it and to find your correct shade. Adult clothes are ok....restricted in choice.

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