Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > Middle East
Middle East Topics specific to the Middle East countries, Syria, Lebanon, Israel, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Yemen, Oman and the Emirates
Photo by Daniel Rintz, Himba children, Namibia

The only impossible journey
is the one
you never begin

Photo by Daniel Rintz,
Himba children, Namibia



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 14 Apr 2009
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 37
Getting a bike in Kuwait?

Hey guys, I might (man I hope!) be getting a job in Kuwait City and if so, I'd like to pick up a bike there (dual sport or pure dirtbike for dunes?) How hard is it to get one there, and how difficult to register so you can ride on the street?

Oh, and if I may specify, how about used, Japanese (for reliability), and cheap.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 16 Apr 2009
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 79
Biking in Kuwait

Hi,

Bad News first: You cannot ride a motorcycle in Kuwait without obtaining a Kuwaiti Motorcycle licence first. These are slightly different to the Kuwaiti Driving licence. I am an expat teacher here and thought that when they had issued me a Kuwaiti driving licence based on my UK driving licence, then they'd take into consideration my motorcycle allowance. But they didn't. So when i got busted by the 'undercover' cops, my bike was confiscated for three months and i had to pay some storage charges when recovering it. I had to go to the British Embassy to have my UK motorcyle licence attested first etc.

The GOOD news: Generally lots of bikes around. You can BUY one as soon as you get your Civil ID ( which is your entitlement to residency).
Try the Kawasaki dealership (ZED motors) who service all sorts of bikes and often have a few for sale. Or try the BMW/KTM/Ducati dealership (Tri star motors) who have a selection of secondhand bikes that have been traded in.
Bikes from these dealers are a little expensive. Sometimes you can find private bikes for sale in the weekly free ads papers but some of these have been seriously abused. Also try www.q8showroon.com and select bikes for sale.

Let me know when you're around and i'll show you around.

Hope this helps,

HA
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 22 Apr 2009
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 37
HA, thanks for the info. From what I understand, my new company will be supplying me with a vehicle, I suppose that means I'll be getting a Kuwaiti driver's license? How long does that take?

To avoid the problems you had, how do I go about getting my MC driver's license there?

Also, please check your PMs.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 23 Apr 2009
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 79
Hi,

It takes between 1-3 months to process a drving licence, depending how quick your mandoob ( fixer/agent ) acts. You have to go through the process of having a medical, fingerprint etc for your residency, then your licence will follow.

Some expats drive on their UK licences but the police may object if they catch you 6 months down the line still driving on a foreign licence. Also the insurance of the vehicle may then be an issue. As far as I am aware. here in Kuwait the car is insured, so anybody with a valid licence can drive anybody else's car. If your firm provides you with a vehicle then insurance should already have been sorted for the vehicle.

Some car hire firms allow you to rent on a UK/International licence.

You'll have to take your UK driving licence down to the UK embassy which is literally located opposite the Kuwait Towers on the Gulf Road. Ask them to validate the licence and confirm that it entitles you to drive a car as well as a MOTORCYCLE. This shouldn't take more than a couple of days or a week. If you do hand over your UK licence then keep a photocopy for yourself.

When your agent applies for your car driving licence then give him the embassy papers so that he can apply for the Motorcycle licence at the same time. Tristar motorcycles ( BMW/KTM/Ducati) dealership often provide this service for a fee for newcomers and they have 'Wasta' ( connections) to generally speed up this process so you could hand over your documents to them. and ask them to get you a Kuwaiti motorcycle licence.

Hope this helps
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 29 Apr 2009
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 37
Hmm, I assume the methods are roughly the same for an American...I guess we'll see.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 2 May 2009
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Kuwait
Posts: 5
Guys,
Just to endorse what HA has already said about getting a bike licence here. I too thought on arrival that my combined (UK) car and bike licence would simply be converted to the Kuwait version, as is the case in the UAE, but no such luck. It's a straightforward swap for the car licence (no test, and I'm pretty sure it's ghe same for US licence holders too after attestation by the embassy), but to get my Kuwait bike licence I had to sit a test (!) which I failed the first time (!!) because I didn't understand the (Arabic) tester's instructions and crossed a line when doing a figure of eight - all very embarrassing at the time. Got through no probs next day however. All this costs money of course, endless paperwork and lots of stamping and signing by officialdom (they've taken bureaucracy to a whole new level). I'd recommend having a mandoub with you if poss for translations - unless you speak Arabic. Again, as HA says, Tristar can and will help if necessary – ask for Salem.
As for going off road, there’s not a lot in the way of dunes here. The desert’s flat, stony, scrubby and not really very interesting, plus a lot of it is fenced off to ‘protect’ oil installations/pipelines. Add to that the recommendation NOT to veer off identifiable tracks because of unexploded ordinance left behind by the Iraqis – they still find stuff every so often… But there is a dirt track and an ex-KTM Team rider called Mark now working for Tristar who is doing what he can to generate interest.
But bikes here are expensive, even second-hand - they blame the small market. However, I do happen to know that Tristar now have a very good ’06 640 Adventure with a ridiculously low mileage at the moment because I’ve just traded it with them for an ’06 1200GSA. Low mileage because it sat doing absolutely nothing from more than a year while I moved from Dubai (where I bought it) back to UK, then to Kuwait (long story) but it’s a great bike. I’ve switched to the BMW because I plan to ride back to UK when my time is up here and didn’t fancy doing all those kilometres on a single pot. Get in touch when you get here. Cheers, Dave
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 6 Jun 2009
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Kuwait
Posts: 1
Getting Bike in Kuwait is 3rd story. First of all getting Driving license in Kuwait is hell. Getting Bike Driving license is 3rd story.

According to Kuwait Law, To get normal car driving license, the applicant must meet following requirments....
1-----Applicant must be Graduate...
2-----His salary should be above 450KD
3-----His educational documents should be attested from His Country from Ministry of Forigen Affairs..then from the embassy of where he is resident..then from the ministry of interrior from the country he is resident.
4-----He can apply for license when his stay is over 2Years in Kuwait..
5-----if you meet all these requirment..then the last thing is that.. it depends on mood of the person in traffic department... if he dont like.. then he will reject your application weather you are the first person of the day in traffice department..

Traffic law is applicable on expatriate not on Citizens.. ...racisum is full in Kuwait...
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 2 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 2 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Kuwait - Bike rental camps Bike Swap or Rent 1 16 Apr 2009 21:05
Kuwait - Bike rental camps Route Planning 1 28 Mar 2009 19:10
Midle East - Kuwait to Iran?? safarica Route Planning 1 14 Mar 2009 08:34
Ferry to Kuwait from the UAE or Qatar or Bahrain? road warrior Middle East 0 24 Jan 2009 19:44
Kuwait to Europe via Iran njadas Travellers Seeking Travellers 0 7 Jan 2007 10:23

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 00:48.