Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
»
sometimes a certificate confirming your blood group
»
some countries (such as Saudi Arabia) insist on Arabic translations of foreign documents
»
for some expats a driving test may be required
Car Hire
Availability & Cost
Car hire is possible in all Peninsula countries with international as well as local companies repres-
ented at international airports and five-star hotels. Costs are about average compared to international rates. Reservations
are necessary in some countries during the peak tourism times, particularly during hajj, or major national or religious
holidays.
Vehicle Type
For desert or off-road driving, you will need a 4WD, available from all hire companies. Don't cut costs by
hiring a sedan for off-road driving - for one thing, your insurance will be null and void as soon as you leave the sealed
road and secondly, you won't know whether the previous person who hired your car similarly abused the vehicle. If you
break down, the hire company won't help you. Bike or motorcycle hire is near unheard of.
Documentation
To hire a vehicle you'll need your driving licence and, for some Peninsula countries, an IDP and copies
of both your passport and visa. The minimum age varies between 21 to 25. Invariably, credit cards are now a prerequis-
ite.
Insurance
Insurance is compulsory. Given the large number of road traffic accidents, fully comprehensive insurance (as opposed to
third-party) is strongly advised. This covers the ancient law of paying blood money in the event of the injury or death of
a person (and sometimes animal). Car-hire companies automatically supply insurance, but check carefully the cover and
conditions.
Make certain that you're covered for off-piste travel, as well as travel between Peninsula countries (if you're planning
cross-border excursions). If you are taking the car outside Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) borders, you'll need separ-
ate insurance.
In the event of an accident, don't move the vehicle until the police arrive and make sure you submit the accident re-
port as soon as possible to the insurance company or, if hiring, the car-hire company.
CARNETS
A
carnet de passage
is a booklet that is stamped on arrival and at departure to ensure that the vehicle leaves the
country and has not been misappropriated. It's usually issued by a motoring organisation in the country where the
vehicle is registered. Contact your local automobile association for details about required documentation at least
three months in advance and bear the following in mind:
»
You have to lodge a deposit to secure a carnet.
»
If you default (ie you don't have an import and export stamp that match) then the country in question can claim
your deposit, which can be up to 300% of the new value of the vehicle.
»
Bank guarantees or carnet insurance are available.
»
If your vehicle is irretrievably damaged or stolen, you may be suspected by customs officials of having sold the
vehicle so insist on police reports.
»
The carnet may need to specify any expensive spare parts, such as a gearbox, you bring with you. This is de-
signed to prevent spare-part importation rackets.
