Driving License Qatar- Requirements and Procedure for 2024

Do you know that one of the most important things for settlement in Qatar is to own a driving license Qatar? A valid driving license in Qatar is mandatory if you want to explore the beauty of this Gulf State. Whether you are a Qatari citizen or resident, having a valid driver’s license is a token that you can drive on Qatar roads with full confidence. Driving License Qatar provides you with the flexibility of traveling without public transport.

Obtaining a driver’s license in Qatar is a simple process. Citizens of the USA, Singapore, Norway, Netherlands, Italy, Japan, France, Germany, Great Britain, Poland, Malaysia, South Korea, Romania, Turkey, and a few other countries have the facility to convert their home country driving licenses into Driving licenses in Qatar. However, all others have to apply for a new Qatar driving license to reside in the country for an extended period.

If you are also planning to reside in Qatar, go through this article, as we are going to explain the Qatar driving license procedure in detail. You will read about its requirements and tips to keep yourself updated about the latest changes in the process.

Requirements of Driving License Qatar

If you are living in Qatar and want to apply for a driving license, fulfill the below requirements of the General Directorate of Traffic. Remember that this Directorate is responsible for the issuance and renewal of driving licenses in Qatar. There are three kinds of requirements to be fulfilled:

1. Age Requirements
2. Residency Requirements
3. Profession Requirements

1-Age Requirements

The minimum age requirement for driving a motorcycle or light traffic vehicle in Qatar is 18 years. However, you can apply for driving heavy traffic vehicles like trucks, buses, or agricultural machinery at the attainment of 21 years of age. Driving in Qatar below these age segments is prohibited and causes heavy traffic fines.

2-Residency Requirements

If you fulfill the age requirements, you should be aware of fulfilling residency requirements, too. Remember that you must have a valid Qatar ID before applying for a driving license Qatar. However, you can apply for it with your Visa and Passport number if you have no QID. Therefore, everyone arriving in Qatar prefers obtaining a QID to avail of many government and private services.

3-Profession Requirements

To reduce traffic congestion on Qatar roads, the General Directorate of Traffic has issued a list of professions that do not require a driving license. So, if you are an expatriate going to join any of those professions, you are not eligible to apply for a driving license. Therefore, it is necessary to verify your profession on your QID with the list of professions from a driving school.

Requirements for International Driving License Qatar

Do you know that Qatar has signed the United Nations Convention that makes it mandatory for foreigners to have a valid driving license from their home country and drive abroad on that license? Therefore, if you have a valid driving license in Qatar, you can also apply for International Driving Permit (IDP) to drive abroad. The requirements to obtain an IDP in Qatar are:

• A Valid Qatar ID
• Copy of Passport and Qatar Driving License
• 2 Passport-size photos
• Payment Receipt for QAR 150

Validity of Your Current Driving License in Qatar

Do you know that you cannot get a driving license Qatar without joining a driving school? However, there are many countries whose driving licenses can be converted into Qatar driving licenses. Also, you may follow a simpler process if you have a valid driving license in your home country that is convertible into a Qatar license. Therefore, it is mandatory to check whether your current driving license is valid or not. There are three categories of applying for a driver’s license depending on your nationality.

• You have to take no test at all if you are a resident of those countries whose driving licenses are convertible.
• Persons having driving licenses in some countries, including GCC countries, qualify for direct road tests. If you are a national of any GCC country or other specific country, you have to take only the road test.
• Driving licenses in some countries qualify for short courses in Qatar. Residents of those countries are allowed to take half a course of 20 classes

Any authorized driving school or Qatar Directorate of Traffic can guide you in determining your eligibility.

How to Convert Your Current Driving License to Driving License Qatar?

Before delving deep into the detailed process of applying for a new driving license in Qatar, it is pertinent to mention the process of conversion of your current driving license into a driving license Qatar. Submit the following documents to any of the Qatar Traffic Office:

• ID Card or Passport
• Original Driving License of your Country
• The ID of the Sponsor
• A Form filled by the Sponsor, along with a letter
• Three recent Passport-sized photographs

After submitting these documents, you will be called for an eye and road test. Your driving license will be converted to a driving license Qatar after passing the above tests.

Procedure to Obtain a Qatar Driving License

If you do not fall into the above categories, you have to go through various phases to ensure that all the legal requirements are fulfilled and technical standards are met. Here is the detail of those   phases:

Selection of A Driving School

The first step to initiate the process of obtaining a driving license Qatar is to select a driving school near your location. There are many government and private driving schools in different cities. However, the curriculum is the same for all because the General Directorate of Traffic designs it under the supervision of the Ministry of Interior.

Application for NOC (No Objection Certificate)

Before joining a driving school, you have to take NOC from your Sponsor in Qatar. Earlier, a certificate in writing was valid as an NOC. Now, the process has been digitalized, and sponsors can give an NOC through the MOI portal and Metrash2 App.

• If you have arrived at a company sponsorship, it will be responsible for giving you an NOC through its ID.
• For personal sponsorship, the NOC will be given by the Sponsor using his ID.
• Remember that there is no need for NOC if you are a male Qatari citizen.
• However, female citizens of Qatar will need an NOC from their guardians through their IDs.

Issuance of NOC From MOI Website

Still worried about how to issue a driving license NOC through the MOI Website? Note that only the companies or individuals with smart card access can issue NOC via the MOI website. The step-by-step process is as follows:

• Go to the MOI Website: https://portal.moi.gov.qa. Navigate to the eServices Tab.
• From the list of services, click ‘Traffic Services.’

• Now, click ‘Driving License’ in the new window.

• Navigate to the ‘Driving License NOC.’

• A new form will open. Fill out all the required fields and submit it.
• The Sponsor will receive a notification after the Ministry approves the NOC.

Issuance of NOC From Metrash2 App

Sponsors not using Smart card services cannot issue NOC from the MOI website. However, they can use the Metrash2 App from their mobile to issue NOC for driving license. The procedure is as under:

• Login to the Metrash2 Application
• Navigate to “Traffic” -> “License Service” -> “License NOC”
• Enter your QID number or Passport number in the specified box
• From the options, select “New Issue.”
• You will see different categories of licenses. Select the category (Car, Motorcycle, Bus, etc.) for which you have to issue NOC.
• Now, enter your email ID and click “Next.”
• On the next screen, you can review your details and confirm your request.

You will receive a notification after your request is approved.

Eye Test for Driving License Qatar

The next step in the Qatar Driving License procedure is the “Eye Test.” It is mandatory and can be taken at any driving school. You can also bring an “Eye Test Certificate” from an eye specialist. However, if the driving school takes the test, they will update the results on the MOI portal. Usually, the fee for an eye test ranges between QAR 25 and QAR 50.

Select Course Duration

The course for obtaining a Driving license Qatar consists of 40 classes, excluding theory and simulator classes. If you have a valid driving license in your home country, you can select course duration accordingly. However, your driving school will check your eligibility for this relaxation. They will advise you to take a full course of 40 practical classes or a half course of 20 practical classes.

Documents Submission

After going through the steps mentioned above, you will have to submit documents at the driving school you joined to obtain a driving license Qatar. The list of documents required for applying driving license includes the following:

1. A Valid Qatari ID (Original and Copy)
2. NOC Either from the MOI Website or the Metrash2 App
3. 4 Passport-sized color photos
4. Eye Test Certificate

However, if you opt for a half course, you have to submit your home country’s driver’s license.

Remember that if you are a spectacle user, take photos wearing a spectacle to avoid any inconvenience.

After the document submission, you will be asked to pay driving license fee according to your course selection. The prescribed fee schedule for a Qatar driving license is given below in a table:

License Category	Fee	Validity
LTV (Expatriates)	QR 250	5 Years
LTV (Qatari Citizens)	QR 500	10 Years
HTV (Expatriates)	QR 300	5 Years
HTV (Qatari Citizens)	QR 600	10 Years
Motorcycle (Expatriates)	QR 150	5 Years
Motorcycle (Qatari)	QR 300	10 Years

The driving school will open an online course file for the applicant after submission of the specified fee. A guidebook containing theory lessons will also be handed over to the applicant. However, some driving schools provide you a login to their Mobile Apps and share lessons there.

Theory Lessons and Test

After you enroll in Driving License Qatar, the driving school will start theory classes. They will teach you about traffic rules, signals, and driving ethics. Usually, these classes are conducted for five days. At the end of theory classes, you will have to take a test of those lessons. Some driving schools provide guidebooks for the preparation of this test.

The theory test will consist of 20 multiple-choice questions, and the passing score is the correct answers of the 18. You can buy a book for QR 50-55 or search for online available material.

Practical Lessons and Road Test

Practical lessons will consist of one-to-one driving lessons while driving with an instructor. You can opt for either a male or female instructor as per your requirements. But remember that the fee for female instructors will be a little higher. Driving on the roads with an instructor will help you learn various driving techniques and skills required for a driving license Qatar.

You will also go through the practical for parking a vehicle. You will learn about perpendicular parking “L” and parallel parking “P.”

Upon completion of the practical lessons, you will have to take the road and parking test. Remember that you will have to complete both “P” and “L” tasks on the same day.

Obtaining a Driving License Qatar

After successful completion of the course and passing practical examinations, you will be issued a Qatar driving license. Remember that there are two chances given to pass road and parking tests. Failure in two attempts leads you to do remedial courses further and reappear in the practical. Note that you will have to pay a separate fee for a driving license Qatar because it is not part of your course.

Driving License Qatar Course Fee

Depending on the applicant’s needs, requirements, and expertise, course fees vary for different categories of licenses. However, the average cost of a driving license course ranges between QR 3500 to QR 4000. If you have a valid driving license from your home country, you can opt for a half course at QR 3000. Note that these are only the course fees, and you have to pay additional costs for tests and the issuance of driving license Qatar.