JEDDAH, 30 November 2004 — Despite motorcycles and motorcyclists becoming an increasingly familiar sight on the city streets, the licensing procedures and safety regulations remain vague, non-existent or simply ignored.
The economy of a motorcycle is the major factor in the decision to own one. “I drive a motorcycle rather than a car because it doesn’t use up as much petrol,” said Mohammad Noor, a security guard in a residential complex. “It also doesn’t give me pain when it comes to parking.”
Noor told Arab News that he had neither the official papers for his motorcycle nor a driving license.
“The procedure of getting the papers and license done is going to cost me the minimum of SR800; I cannot afford that,” he said. “Lower the costs and make the procedure easier and I’ll follow the system.”
“I went to Taif to complete all procedures for my motorcycle,” said Khaled Al-Harbi, another motorcyclist. “I live in Jeddah but things take much longer in Jeddah and it’s harder to just get the forms to fill out and to acquire the license. I don’t see why procedures aren’t simplified. Don’t they want people follow the rules? Why complicate matters?”
Siraj Abdullah, another motorcyclist said his motorcycle cost him SR1,500; he bought it instead of a car because it is economic.
“I was stopped by a policeman who demanded to see the motorcycle papers. When I took out the receipt he confiscated my vehicle because I didn’t have a license or any of the other official papers. To retrieve my motorcycle will cost me at least SR700.”
Abdullah asked why the motorcycle license forms are not included in the actual sale as they are with cars. “That would rid us of the extra costs of getting the forms.”
“I drive a motorcycle rather than a car because I can get to places quicker dodging between the traffic jams,” said Raid Qahtani. “It doesn’t need a lot of high maintenance and when and if it does, it does not burn holes in my pockets.”
Hasan Al-Shibeily, owner of a motorcycle shop has a license to sell the vehicles. “We’ve got legal and official permits from the municipality and the authorities to sell motorcycles of all kinds.”
He added, “But our part only concerns sales. We do not facilitate any of the traffic procedures. We just give the customer a receipt and if the customer has a driving license from Dallah we get him the license plates and other vehicle papers.”
Others disagree with making motorcycles legal in the first place. “Motorcycles should be banned because they are dangerous and disturbing,” said Ahmad Al-Rifai. “Motorcycles pollute the environment with all the smoke that comes out of them.”
“The noise they make is bad enough,” said Fahd Muhsen. “Motorcyclists have no respect for residents or people around them. I’ve got trouble sleeping because of their lack of consideration.”
Attiya Al-Malki, an employee at the license department outlined the procedure to obtain a motorcycle license. “To get a motorcycle license you need a document from customs and a customs card, the receipt and to sign a paper stating that you won’t give your motorcycle to anyone else. You also pay SR140 for the registration papers and SR35 for the license plates.”
At the Dallah Driving School, employee Abdulateef Al-Otaibi said, “To get a driving license you need to have a medical report from a hospital, civil ID card, fingerprints, purchase receipt, a red file, SR100 for the school, SR125 for the license, and for insurance the cost ranges from SR200 to SR 600 depending on the company. If you already know how to drive, then we give one day’s training and if you know how to drive a motorcycle we test you for one day. If you don’t know how to drive you attend training for five days and the cost is SR450.”
Abu Mahmoud whose son suffered a severe injury to his skull in motorcycle accident said, “If solid regulations are not put in place for motorcycling and the system does not uphold it, then not only will more motorcycles be confiscated but more victims are going to be added to road accidents. Traffic authorities and motorcycle shops better collaborate and come up with something and soon.”
