All you wanted to know about Driving Jobs in the Gulf

To get driving jobs is not so easy in the Gulf, especially for expats. A mere having a driving license from your home country and you being above 21 years of age do not make you eligible for such jobs. There are many other factors to consider. This article gives you some tips on how to find driving jobs in the Gulf States, and what conditions are needed to be fulfilled. Since you are an expat, the effort is more as compared to a local citizen staying there. The Gulf States include Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Iran, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Oman.

Requirements to be a driver in Gulf

In order to apply for driving jobs in the Gulf, you should not only fulfill all the necessary requirements to be a driver as asked by the employer, you should also have valid documents to qualify as a driver.

These include:

• An identity card of the place where you are staying. For example, if you need a driving job in UAE, you will require an Emirates ID, identity card issued by Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship. This is a legal requirement for all UAE citizens, including the expats. It must be with them at all times. So long you do not have the Emirates ID card, you cannot apply for driving jobs in UAE.
• Another requirement is the RTA Card, issued by Road and Transport Authority of the respective country.
• You also require a RTA vehicle registration if you are using your own vehicle for the job. 

Your home country’s driving license is not valid for driving jobs

As an expat, you cannot use your home country’s driving license for driving jobs. So you need to pass the driving test conducted by RTA to get a valid driving license of that place. Driving tests include tests on parking, signals, including road test. You should have an Emarati license (UAE driving license) if you stay in UAE. Similarly, if you stay in Iran, you should have an Iran-valid driving license.

In case if you fail the driving test, you need to register for driving classes in any driving school of that city where you are staying and then reappear for the driving test. 

Getting driving jobs in the Gulf

• One of the best ways to get driving jobs as an expat in the Gulf States is to approach the taxi companies directly there. There can be different types of driver jobs available in the taxi companies. These taxi companies can recommend your name as well to organizations or individuals looking for drivers.
• Go through the local newspapers and check the classifieds section for vacancies of driving jobs.
• Job openings for drivers can also be found on Roads and Transport Authority website of the 8 states of the Gulf.

You will be considered quite lucky if you get the driving job before entering the city. Then, the entire process of transforming your home country driving license to Gulf approved license is taken care of by your company or employer. Here, the preliminary expenses will be met by the company on the basis of fulfilling some terms and conditions. You also need an employment visa as a driver from your employer.