A Saudi Driver's license will be issued only to males holding a valid driver's license from their country of origin. Women are not permitted to drive in Saudi Arabia. There are buses operating in Riyadh but are generally for men only.
Taxis are relatively cheap and plentiful and most drivers do speak English.
Women should always sit in the back. There is another type of taxi, the yellow Saudi taxi, where the price is fixed by negotiation. Scheduled bus runs are also provided to various shopping areas throughout the city.