Qatar driving license- Procedure, Document, Fees, Driving School

It is necessary to hold  valid driving license for anyone driving a vehicle in Qatar but It is possible to drive in Qatar with a non-Qatari driving license for a limited time.you can drive within the country for 7 days if you possess a valid driving license and For GCC residents, the Gulf license will remain valid for 3 months from date of arrival in the country. But, for those who planning to reside in Qatar for more than six months, it is compulsory to apply for a temporary or permanent Qatari Driving License.





If you do not hold a valid driving license from your country of origin or home country, you will have to enrol yourself in a driving school in Qatar. Based on your driving skills, you may be required to take a full course (25 classes) or a half course (12 classes).
The documents required for enrolling are:

• Copy of Passport with visa or Immigration ID copy
• Fee to be paid (varies depending on the course)
• May have to complete an eye test at the traffic department in Medinat Khalifat or certificate from licensed optician.

Driving Schools in Qatar

Given below are details/contacts of few driving schools in Qatar:

• Al Rayah Driving School, PO Box 747, Tel: +974 4877774
• Doha Driving Centre, PO Box 9896, Tel: +974 4792263
• Gulf Driving School, PO Box 15154, Tel: +974 4652822
• United Driving Company, PO Box 15154, Tel: +974 4681003

Driving tests are administered by authorized driving schools and all applicants need to apply to a driving school for lessons before they can take the test. Those who do not have a driving license are required to take at least:

• 15 hours of theory classes
• 35 hours of driving lessons

Traffic Department

Madinat Khalifa (North), off Khalifa Street, near Al Gharrafa Flyover, Tel: +974 4890644

Fees 

Average fee to get new license in first attempt will be around 3000 QR

Driving Test

You have to pay a nominal fee and register for the test. The test has four parts - an oral round for the road and traffic signs, the L-Parking, the pocket parking and the actual road test. Each of these tests is a pre-requisite to enter the next one. But, if you have passed one, you need not repeat it. The tests are done on manual transmission cars, with nearly four people in the car, taking turns to drive.

 

Driving tests usually consist of four modules:

• An oral theory test where the applicant is asked questions about road signs and traffic regulations in English or Arabic
• Reverse parking test
• Straight parking test
• Road test
• An eye test is also necessary, but this is usually done before the theory and practice modules of the test.

Authorised Driving Schools

Al Rayah Driving School
Tel: +974  4487 7774
Doha Driving Center
Tel: +974 4479 2263
Gulf Driving School
Tel: +974 4465 2822
United Driving Company
Tel: +974 4468 1003

 

Qatar driving license- International Driving License

The International Driving License can be obtained from Qatar Automobile and Touring Club (Ph: 4413265) or few Travel Agencies. To do so, you will need to bring along a

• Valid Qatar Driving License
• Passport-size photos - 2 nos.
• Passport
• Process fee (varies)

 

 

 

 

Qatar driving license-Temporary License

With a temporary license you can drive rental cars, although you may not be insured to drive a privately owned car (as this is decided by the insurance company, and they should be contacted for more details). On obtaining a residence permit, the temporary license can be converted into a permanent one. But, the permanent license will be given only if you possess a residence permit, and have five-year validity.
To convert a temporary license into a permanent driver’s license you will require:

• Temporary Driver's License (TDL)
• Two photos
• Copy of passport
• Copy of residence permit
• Process fee

If you currently hold a valid driving license from one of the GCC countries, or from one of the following countries, you can get a Qatari driving license without having to take the driving test.
Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, USA and Vatican City.
If you do not a have a license, or you have a license from a country not listed above, you will need to pass the Qatari driving test

• Original license from one of the countries listed above
•  A letter of no objection/permission from your sponsor, written in Arabic
• A copy of your sponsoring company’s trade license
•  A copy of your sponsor’s ID
•  Passport (original and copies)
• Three passport photos
• Qatar ID card

You will need to fill out an application form, which must be typed in Arabic, and signed by your sponsor. Translation typing services are available at Madinat Khalifa Traffic Department for a small fee.
You will also be required to pass an eye test, which can be conducted at the Madinat Khalifa Traffic Department as well. The fee that you pay for the driving license, must be paid by credit card. It includes the cost of the eye test.
It generally takes one working day for your Qatari license to be issued if you already hold a license from one of the countries listed above. The license is valid for five years and will entitle you to drive the type of vehicle specified in your original license.
Madinat Khalifa Traffic Department is located on Khalifa Street. It is open from 7:00am to 11:00am and 4:00pm to 7:00pm. For information and enquiries, the traffic department can be contacted on +974 4489 0666.