Dear KAUST Community,
In support of the Traffic and Vehicle Safety Policy , please note the following changes for drivers of cars/trucks, golf carts, and scooters in KAUST.
Existing female drivers of cars/trucks (Category 1 vehicles) in KAUST
Many female drivers of cars/trucks continue to drive in KAUST without a Saudi driving license, using a valid driving license from another country, international driving license, or KAUST driving permit, which is allowed in section 5.1.2 of the Traffic and Vehicle Safety Policy. While this exemption was originally intended to end in 2019, it was extended in 2020 and again in 2021. After interviews with female drivers that have recently gone through the process of receiving a Saudi driving license and discussions with Government Affairs, Community Life, and Office of the General Counsel, we are ready to require holding a valid license recognized by the Saudi Government permitting drivers to legally drive in Saudi Arabia in order to drive in KAUST. Government Affairs has made available Car Driving License Information for females to guide the process, and we know drivers are at varying stages of obtaining their Saudi driving license. Rather than selecting an arbitrary date to stop the existing KAUST exemption, our current focus is identifying all female drivers without a Saudi driving license that plan to continue driving in KAUST. If you fall in this category and wish to continue driving a car in KAUST after January 1, 2022, complete these steps:
1. Complete a KAUST Female Car Driver Survey no later than October 31, 2021. This will let us know who in KAUST falls into this status so that we can determine how best to assist you in transitioning to a Saudi driving license.
2. Work to obtain your Saudi driving license following the guidance from Government Affairs.
3. HSE will contact everyone submitting the form to provide further instruction and a special driving permit that will continue until your Saudi driving license is received.
Please note that anyone not completing this form must follow all driving requirements of Saudi Arabia as of January 1, 2022.
All drivers of cars/trucks (Category 1 vehicles) as of January 1, 2022
Beginning in January of 2022, both male and female drivers of cars/trucks need to hold a valid license recognized by the Saudi Government permitting them to legally drive in Saudi Arabia in order to drive in KAUST. The only exception will be existing female drivers that have already registered with us as per the information above. Human Resources and the Graduate School will begin providing information to new recruits so they can begin the process of receiving a Saudi driving license early in their onboarding process.
All drivers of golf carts and scooters in KAUST
Alternative modes of transportation in KAUST, such as golf carts and scooters, continue to be an important form of transportation. Anyone with a Saudi driving license qualifies to operate a golf cart or scooter in KAUST. Additionally, HSE will continue to provide driving permits for these forms of transportation to our residents over 17 years old that do not have a Saudi driving license. However, to streamline the process and have a unified permit for golf carts and scooters, all existing permits will expire as of December 31, 2021, and need to be replaced using a simple process. Existing permit holders that wish to maintain their scooter or golf cart permit need to:
* Complete the KAUST Golf Cart / Scooter Driving Permit Exchange Form by no later than December 1, 2021.
* HSE will contact you to replace the old permit with a new permit.
Please note that as of January 1, 2022, only the newly issued permit will be accepted in KAUST.
If you have any questions, HSE is here to support you during this transition. Please contact us at hse@kaust.edu.sa.
Sincerely,
Erik Talley
Director, HSE