Driving from Doha to Dubai and Changing Car registration to Dubai rego

I'm planning to bring my car from Dubai to Qatar also. Why don't we just swap for easier way?

My car is Honda CRV 2004 model, what do you think?

.. I am planning to do the same thing but from opposite side. To bring my car from UAE (Abu Dhabi) to Doha...

Selling under pressure is not my option. Will loose money so I made my mind to bring it here. Shipping is to bloody expensive, can go between 3k – 7k.

Advice given to me was. Get the new residence visa firs that go back t your old place and then drive the car. You can expect no or significantly less problems like that.

Custom should be waived if you have all necessary papers that car is bought in Qatar and that custom is paid. (GCC is customs and trade union)

SUGESTION: Why don’t we just swap… 

Question for all: What is the “red tape” mentioned couple of times by some ppl above.

I was only exporting a car - I had hired an agent in Riyadh to do all the paperwork - and the Saudis (who apparently don't give a stuff (LOL)) kept me detained for 8 hours at their side of the border because of trivial red tape!!

Take my advice mate and don't risk it - get a carrier or sell it.

Depends how old is your car, easiest way is to find the shipping agency who will do all the works for you. you may have to pay 3000 above riyals depends on your agreement with them. our case in Saudi Arabia we wanted to ship our car from Saudi to Doha and we found a shippers but, we were told from here in Doha that they don't accept 5 years old cars here.

I hope it gives you an idea.

Good luck!!!

No worries about Saudi, mate. As long as you are in transit they couldn't care less.

You get the paper on Qatari border, which is then stamped and retained at the Saudi border. Then they give you a new paper on the Saudi border and UAE will retain it.

This is your transit proof. Procedure is the same independent on the purpose of your trip. Also your Saudi visa will have your car plate number, so you can't leave on another vehicle.

Cheers for the info, i will decide later what i will do but this info is priceless - i do have quite a lot of stuff so do you know who i should go through to get stuff flown to Dubai if i decide not to take my car!!!!

Cheers once again

I sincerely hope it is that simple - but bitter experience tells me that anything to do with red tape in the GCC - especially cross border red tape is fraught with difficulty - and here you are crossing 3 borders. Believe me when I say that the Saudi Border customs will treat you as a westerner completely differently from other GCC drivers - be warned!

It goes without saying that you lie through your teeth abouth the value of your car - unless of course you enjoy paying tax.

Goto Traffic Department

Make Export Number Plate + temp insurance (its not that much)

Get Saudi transit visa

Cross borders

On UAE border you will have to pay duty, 3 or 5 % of car value, they will tell u there

When u reach in dubai and get ur visa stamped, goto traffice dept and register the car there

You should get one thing straight - and this will save you a lot of headaches.

You are not driving your car from Doha to Dubai - you are importing a car from Doha to Dubai - it's quite a difference.

I did the same for my vehicle when I moved from Riyadh to Bahrain - I don't think the procedure will be that different in your case.

Firstly you have to get export plates from the motor transport Department in Doha (or whatever it's called there). You may have to pay an export tax - I was slugged for the export plates and another export duty at the border. Make sure you have all the paperwork present - if you don't they'll simply refuse to deal with you and that means a trip back to Doha.

When they let you go - you then have to face the Saudi customs - I haven't a clue what they require for the transit of export vehicles - but you can be sure they'll want proof that you're not exporting it to KSA. Also be sure to turn up at the border at the right time - they are closed on Fridays and between 3 and 6 on all other days - you'll have to wait in line with numerous truck drivers and because no one speaks English - you'll be totally in the dark as to what's required. You can be sure that if you don't have it right - it's back to the start.

On top of that I would be surprised if the Saudis rewuire a deposit (refundable of course) to ensure you don't dispose of the car in KSA.

Right - assuming you get through this hurdle - you then have to get through customs at the UAE. Once again I don't know the procedure their - but on coming to Bahrain, the car was impounded in their customs area - I had to find my way into the city - get insurance papers sorted out and then return with these before they would let me drive the car. THEN - you're given a temporary plate and asked to pay 10% of the car's value as import duty. For every day you drive the car with temporary plates you are also charged a hefty penalty fee (this ensures that you take the car to their motor officem have it inspected and get new plates (also a hefty charge) - if you get through this and still have any sanity left (AAARRRGGGHHH) you'll wonder why in bloody hell you didn't just sell the car in the first place.

Seriously though - if you are devoted to your car - I would strongly suggest you get a carrier to handle all the paperwork and hassles.

Good Luck!

I can't advise you on the car registration change, but I assume it is straightforward, as I know at least 3 colleagues who did it. I would say if you have a good car, and don't want to lose the money on selling/buying, go for it.

Regarding the trip itself, I just traveled to Dubay by car. You will need Saudi transit visa which takes 4 days (you will have to apply through a travel agency, and need a letter from your sponsor).

The trip itself is approximately 8 hours, depending on your speed (in Saudi/UAE roads are ok, and you can drive 140 easily). There are no places to rest in Qatar or Saudi (unless you are a truck driver) but in UAE expect USA/European standard for the gas stations - i.e. cafe, big convenience store etc.

Don't forget to fill in your car before crossing Saudi border - there will be NO gas stations on the Saudi part of the highway.

Unless you are exempt from UAE visa, get one here at the embassy, it will save you time on the border, as there is a huge line for those getting visa on the border. Also Saudi will not give you a transit visa without a UAE visa in your passport (if you need one of course).

Any questions - feel free to ask.

I dont know much about the rules and regulations, but I would suggest you to sell the car in Qatar. It may cause lot of problems for you... Before say sorry its always better to be safeside.

You can buy a new and good car in Emirates, I think you are not going to any desert :-)