How You Can Get A Driving License In Qatar

Category: Article

A legitimate driving permit is mandatory for anybody driving a vehicle in Qatar. It is conceivable to drive in Qatar with a non-Qatari driving permit temporarily. It is important to apply to the Traffic Department of the Ministry of Interior for new driving license.

Here is a detailed guide explaining the step-by-step procedure to obtain a Qatar driving license.

Requirements for obtaining a Qatar Driving License:

1) Age requirement

- The minimum age requirement for motorcycles and light motor vehicles licenses in Qatar is 18 years old.

- The minimum age requirement for a license for heavy vehicles such as trucks, buses, forklifts, etc., is 21 years old.

2) Residency Requirement

Driving licenses in Qatar are issued only to individuals with valid Qatar residence permits (QIDs). The original passport and copy of the visa are required if the QID has not been issued.

3) Profession Requirement

A Qatar driving license is not available to expatriates with certain professions, which do not require them to drive.

List of professions not eligible for a driving license in Qatar

According to the Traffic Department, the intention is to reduce traffic congestion. The profession listed on your Qatar ID should be verified with a driving school if you are a company sponsored expatriate.

A diplomat or international mission official must meet the following requirements:

- Book of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

- Copy of the diplomatic card

- The original license

- 3 recent passport size colour photographs

Non-Qatari residents must meet the following requirements:

1. Be 18 years of age for a light driving license or motorcycle license.

2. Be 21 years of age for a heavy vehicle driving license or for agricultural or construction vehicle licenses.

3. Complete the driving license application form.

4. Provide a no-objection letter from the applicant's sponsor (in Arabic).

5. Have a valid passport and copy of this.

6. Submit a copy of sponsor's ID card.

7. Provide three recent, coloured, passport sized photographs.

8. Have a residence permit.

9. Some professions will not be allowed to apply for driver's license. [List of ineligible professions]

Qatari residents must meet the following requirements:

1.Be 18 years of age for a light vehicle driving license or motorcycle license.

2.Be 21 years of age for a heavy vehicle driving license or for agricultural or construction vehicle licenses.

3. Have a valid ID card and present a copy of this on application.

4.Complete the driving license application form.

5. Provide three recent, coloured, passport-sized photographs.

6. Show proof of training insurance for a period of three months if wishing to learn in a private car.

Is your present driver's licence valid in Qatar?

If you have a driving license, you should check to see if it is valid for exchange or a direct test before enrolling in a driving course in Qatar. There may be a simpler process for you depending on where your existing driving license is issued. You should check with any authorised driving school or the Traffic Department to determine your eligibility.

1) It is possible to convert certain countries' driving licenses to Qatar driving licenses without taking a driving test.

2) A driving license issued by some countries qualifies you for a direct road test.

3) A driving license issued by some countries lets you take a half-course of 20 classes rather than a full course of 40.

Procedure for obtaining a Qatar driving license

Step 1: The first step is to choose a driving school

Qatar has several government approved driving schools that follow a common curriculum, governed by the Ministry of Interior's General Directorate of Traffic.

Also read: Your Guide To The Best Driving Schools In Qatar: Rates And Services

Step 2: Apply for a No Objection Certificate (NOC)

The applicant previously needed a written NOC from his sponsor, but this is now done online through the Metrash2 app or MOI website.

- In the case of personal sponsorship, the sponsor must use the Metrash2 application to issue the NOC.

- In case of company sponsorship, the NOC must be provided by the company by means of the company Metrash2 application.

- NOC is not required for Qatari males.

- A NOC must be issued by the guardian using the Metrash2 application for Qatari females.

The steps for getting a NOC using the Metrash2 app are as follows:

1) Using the Metrash2 mobile application, you can log in.

2) The next step is to click on "Traffic", then select "License Service", and choose "License NOC".

3) In the specified box, enter all the required information, such as your QID, visa number, etc.

4) Choose the type "New Issue" and then choose the required driving licence category like motorcycle, car, bus.

5) Click next after entering your email address.

6) Make sure all details are correct before clicking "Next".

7) Upon approval, you will receive a notification on Metarash2.

The steps for getting a NOC using the MOI website with a smart card are as follows:

1) Visit the E-services page on the MOI website and log in with your smartcard.

2) Choose the required transaction type. For smart card holders, select "Personal Transaction" and for authorized persons, choose "Company Name".

3) Choose "Traffic Services" from the menu.

4) Click on "Driving License" and then on "Driving License NOC".

5) In the specified box, enter the QID of the sponsored person or the visa number.

6) Choose the appropriate driving license category and then select the required approval type: "Issue a New" or "Replace Lost License".

7) Review the details before clicking "Confirm".

8) In order to issue another NOC, click "New Entry" and follow the steps above.

9) A notification will be sent to the sponsor once the application has been approved.

Step 3: Eye Test

For a driving license, you must undergo an eye test (vision test). Some driving schools have eye-test facilities, and the results are posted on the MOI website after you test your vision. You may also take your eye test to a traffic department-recognized ophthalmologist or optometrist. For this test, the fee varies between QR 25 and QR 50.

Step 4: Decide on the course duration

It's easy to find driving schools that offers many different courses with men and women faculty. Applicants with previous driving licenses from other countries may be eligible for a half-course, but they need to submit their old driving licenses for approval by the Traffic Department. After presenting your foreign driver's license, they will advise you on your study course.

Step 5: Submit the documents and pay the fee

At the time of registration, the traffic department needs some documents to verify your identity. They are as follows:

1) Original and copy of valid Qatar ID.

2) NOC from sponsor by Metrash2 app as explained above.

3) A total of four recent passport-sized colour photographs. If you wear glasses, take a picture wearing them.

4) The certificate of an eye test or vision test.

5) If you are applying for a half course, please provide the original license from your previous country.

6) Pay the fee.

Once you have submitted your documents and fees, your driving school will open an account where you will learn theory via pdf or CD. Some good schools have their own mobile applications and websites to teach you more efficiently.

Step 6: Theory lessons

Learning and progress begin at this point. The first part of the course is theory lessons, which cover topics such as traffic rules, road signs, driving ethics and more. A tablet or computer will be provided to you in class so that you can learn and test your progress. For better steering control, some schools offer simulator training as well as software for aspirants to test themselves and gain experience.

Step 7: Theory test

Once you've completed your theory lessons, you can take your theory test. A total of forty questions are asked and 37 correct answers are required in order to pass. It is now available in multiple languages and conducted online for the convenience of aspirants.

Step 8: Practical lessons

When you pass the theory test, you'll start your driving training under the guidance of an instructor, where you'll experience real-time situations by driving a vehicle in real-time. Your driving instructor can be chosen on your own. If you need a female instructor, you may have to pay a higher rate. During this session, you will learn how to use indicators, brakes, accelerators and other skills and techniques required for driving. The core of this task is mastering "P" and "L".

Step 9: Road test

When you feel confident about your skills, you will be given a date for the road test in which a traffic officer and two others will sit with you in a car and watch you drive. Following the completion of the road test, you will be given a parking test date.

Step 10: Parking test

You must pass the "L" and "P" tests on the same day. P stands for parallel parking and L stands for perpendicular parking. The driving license will be issued to you immediately upon successful completion of this test.

Driving Course Completion Time

The full course takes approximately 90 to 110 days to complete (theory training and tests, waiting time, practical training and tests). In general, the regular half course will take approximately 65 to 95 days (theory training and test, waiting time, practical training and test). Depending on the driving school, this timeframe may vary since some may have longer wait times.

Driving Test Procedure

The driving test incorporates the following:

1. A theory test

2. A road test

3. A parking test (L and P)

- Each test must be passed before you can enter the next one, but you don't have to repeat one you have already passed. Failure on one part of the test will prevent you from proceeding to the next.

- In the event that you fail the test, you are allowed to retake it within a specified time frame without an additional fee. You do not have to retake parts of the test you have already passed.

- The Traffic Department has announced that from March 2016, all full course and half course students will have two opportunities to take the road test. The applicant will have unlimited opportunities to take the signal and parking tests. If the applicant fails the test, he or she must pay QR 50 to book another time.

- If you fail two times, you may be asked to enroll in another course. There are driving schools that offer special courses that include unlimited training until you pass. In comparison to regular courses, these will be more expensive.

Fee for Qatari Driving License

The following is a list of the fees associated with issuing a Qatar driving license. Additionally, there will be a test fee and a course fee. All transactions at the Traffic Department must be paid with a credit or debit card.

Transmission type: Automatic or Manual Vehicles

At all driving schools, light vehicles are available with manual or automatic transmissions. After passing your test in an automatic car, you can only drive automatic cars legally. Passing a manual car test allows you to drive both manual and automatic vehicles.

Qatar's recent changes to its driving system

Several changes have been made to the driving license system by the Traffic Department in recent years. Here are some of the changes:

1) Unified driving curriculum - A unified driving curriculum has been introduced for all driving schools by the Traffic Department.

2) Unified contract - There is a unified contract adopted by all driving schools that clearly defines their obligations to trainees. Training schools are not permitted to charge trainees any additional fees beyond those specified in the unified contract. In case the trainee discontinues the course, the contract requires the school to refund the balance amount.

3) Accompanying female driving trainees - If the instructor is male, a female trainee can ask a male guardian to accompany her.

4) 18 languages - The unified curriculum is now available in more than 18 languages instead of 10 languages.

5) Road test only after passing theory test - No trainee will be permitted to take a road test unless he or she passes the theory test.

6) Basics of automobiles - Aside from driving skills and traffic laws, the syllabus also discusses things like how to check vehicle safety, lights, engines, engine oil, and tyre pressure.

7) No short courses - Short courses are no longer offered, and new learners must take either a half or full course.

8) No more exceptions for Saudi and Kuwait license holders - Qatar has discontinued granting driving licenses to those holding Saudi Arabia and Kuwait licenses. It is now mandatory for them to take the driving test.

9) Parking test will follow the road test - Previously, the final step of a driving test was the road test, which followed the parking test. But now you must pass the road test before taking the parking test.

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(List Of 80 Visa Free Entry Countries In Qatar)

(Know About Notification Terms Required When You Are Resigning Work In Qatar)

(If Qatar Residence Card (QID) Lost While Traveling)

(Residence Permit Renewal And Cancellation:Qatar)

(Step-by-step Procedure When Changing Jobs In Qatar Without NOC)

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