How to Renew Vehicle Registration in Qatar in 2024

Do you know how to renew vehicle registration in Qatar, and what is its importance? If you do not know, you are at the right place because we will discuss in detail what an Istimara is, its types, how important it is to renew an istimara, and the istimara renewal process. To facilitate its citizens and residents, the Qatar government has launched an online portal through which you can check Istimara’s validity and renew it from the comfort of your home. The Ministry of Interior (MOI) has also launched an online application, Metrash2, to enable its people to renew vehicle registration on the go.

What is an Istimara?

An istimara is a legal document that certifies the fitness of any vehicle and grants permission to drive it on Qatar roads. Unlike registration certificates, an istimara ensures that the vehicle meets safety standards to be driven on Qatar roads. Usually, it is in the form of a card that contains all the necessary information about the vehicle. You can also call it a vehicle license but never confuse it with a driving license because it is a legal document allowing a driver to drive a vehicle.

Understanding Istimara Renewal

Istimara renewal is renewing your vehicle’s registration before expiry to avoid traffic fines and other legal issues. Qatari government makes it obligatory for all drivers to maintain safety standards while driving on Qatar roads. Renewing your vehicle registration ensures that your vehicle has passed the fitness test to run on Qatar roads. Qatari Government has modernized and streamlined the istimara renewal process by launching the Metrash2 app and MOI online portal. Anyone with a vehicle can apply for an Istimara renewal without visiting the service centers or MOI-designated offices.

Types of an Istimara

Depending on your vehicle type, Qatar has three different types of Istimara. These are:

Private Vehicle Istimara: Issued to privately owned vehicles like bikes and cars
Commercial Vehicle Istimara: Issued to commercial vehicles like buses, trucks, and taxis
Heavy Equipment Istimara: Issued to vehicles used for industrial and agricultural purposes like cranes, bulldozers, and excavators

Remember that istimara renewal fee is different for different types of vehicles.

Conditions to Apply for Istimara Renewal

You can only apply for vehicle registration renewal if certain conditions are met. The three main conditions are:

You can apply for istimara renewal if your vehicle passes technical inspection. In Qatar, technical inspection is conducted by the MOI Traffic Department or an authorized service center.
Registration renewal is only allowed for vehicles with valid insurance.
You can renew your vehicle registration only if no outstanding fines or penalties are pending.

Documents Required for Istimara Renewal

Arranging the documents required to initiate the renewal process is always mandatory to save time and money. Here is the list of the documents required:

A Valid Qatar ID

Your Qatar ID is the basic verification document for different purposes. Therefore, having a valid QID is necessary to renew vehicle registration.

Vehicle Insurance

You cannot proceed with vehicle registration renewal unless your vehicle is insured. So, always ensure your vehicle insurance is up to date.

Technical Inspection Certificate

Qatar Ministry of Interior does not allow for istimara renewal if your vehicle does not pass technical inspection. It means a technical certificate issued by Fahes or Woqod is required to renew vehicle registration.

Outstanding Traffic Fines

Your vehicle registration renewal is impossible if you have any outstanding traffic fines. Therefore, pay all outstanding Qatar traffic fines before initiating the renewal process.

Old Istimara Card

It is also advisable to keep your old istimara card before proceeding with istimara renewal.

How to Renew Vehicle Registration in Qatar?

Qatar’s government has revolutionized the istimara renewal process by launching the MOI online portal. You can renew your vehicle registration both online and offline.

Istimara Renewal Online

Online istimara renewal is possible in two ways. You can proceed with the renewal process through the MOI website or the Metrash2 App.

Renew Vehicle Registration on the MOI Website

The most convenient method to renew your vehicle registration is using the MOI website. The detailed process is as follows:

Go to the Ministry of Interior website: https://portal.moi.gov.qa/wps/portal/MOIInternet/MOIHome and log into the e-services portal. If you do not have an account, sign up using your Qatar ID.
Navigate to “Traffic Services” and click.
On the next screen, select “Renew Vehicle License.”
Enter your vehicle details and pay the istimara renewal fee using a credit card. You can also pay the registration renewal fee from your bank account.
After fee payment, you will get a temporary istimara valid for seven days. Get a print of it for use.
You will receive a new Istimara card at your registered home address within the next few days.

Istimara Renewal on Metrash2 App

If you do not have easy access to a PC, you can proceed with the istimara renewal on Metrash2 App. The detailed process is as follows:

Download the Metrash2 App from the Play Store if you are an Android user or the Apple App Store if you use an iOS device. Sign up using your QID.
Log in to your account and click the “Traffic” icon on your mobile screen.
On the next screen, navigate to “Vehicle Service.”
After clicking “Vehicle Services,” you will see different vehicle options.
Click on “Renew Vehicle Registration.”
Now, fill out the form. You will also be notified about vehicle insurance and technical inspection. If both or any of the requirements are missing, you must fulfill them first. You will be prompted to proceed with payment if your vehicle has valid insurance and passed the fitness test.
In the end, select delivery method to receive your renewed istimara card.

Offline Istimara Renewal

If you are not having an easy time with the online renewal of your vehicle istimara, you can visit the MOI Traffic department office to renew your vehicle registration. The step-by-step process of offline renewal is as follows:

First, collect all the required documents like your QID, Vehicle Insurance, Vehicle Inspection Certificate, and previous istimara card.
Visit your nearest MOI Traffic department office and head to the istimara renewal section.
Submit all the required documents on the counter and answer the questions asked by the official.
If your vehicle istimara requires a technical inspection, the official will ask you for the inspection and give you the list of MOI-approved inspection centers.
He will ask you for the istimara renewal fee if all the requirements are met. Once again, you can pay the fee through a debit/credit card or at the counter.
You will receive a new istimara after successful payment. It is advisable to check whether all the information is correct before leaving the traffic department office.

Vehicle Registration Renewal Fee

The fee to renew vehicle registration in Qatar varies with the validity and the type of vehicle. The table below highlights the istimara renewal fee for different vehicles.

Type of Vehicle	Annual Fee
Motorcycles/Bikes	QAR 100
Light Vehicles	QAR 100
Private Passenger Vehicles	QAR 150
Taxi Car	QAR 200
Goods Transport Vehicles	QAR 150
Heavy Duty Industrial/Agricultural Vehicles	QAR 250

Istimara Renewal Fees

Qatar Istimara Validity

Remember that you can renew vehicle registration for different periods in Qatar. The fee to renew a vehicle istimara also changes over the years. You can check the validity of your vehicle registration on the istimara card in the Exp.Date column. It can also be checked on the MOI website. The process for online checking of istimara validity is as follows:

Log in to the MOI portal and navigate the “Traffic Violations” page.
Select the type of your vehicle and enter the plate number.
Now, enter the captcha code and click the “Search” button.
You will be prompted to enter the owner’s QID number of the owner.
Click “Submit,” and you will see traffic violation or istimara validity on your screen.

Remember that Qatar Government offers a 30-day grace period for istimara renewal. It means you must renew your vehicle registration within 30 days after the expiry. You will have to pay traffic violation fines after the expiry of the grace period. You can also check istimara validity through the Metrash2 App in the following ways:

Open the Metrash2 App and log in to your account
Click the “Traffic” tab and navigate to the “Vehicle Services.”
Select “Inquire about Vehicle” button
Enter your vehicle registration number and click “Search.”
Your vehicle istimara will display on your mobile screen.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I renew vehicle registration before expiration?

Yes, the Qatar Ministry of Interior allows you to renew your vehicle registration 90 days before expiration.

Can I Renew Vehicle Registration through someone else?

You can renew vehicle registration through anyone, provided he has a copy of your Qatar ID card, an authorization letter, and a verified QID.

Where can I renew my vehicle registration?

You can renew your vehicle registration online using the Metrash2 App and MOI Website or by visiting any of the MOI Service Centers.

What happens if my vehicle fails a technical inspection?

If your vehicle fails technical inspection, you cannot renew the istimara. You must fix the issues and schedule a reinspection to renew vehicle registration.

Is there any grace period for Istimara renewal?

Yes, the Ministry of Interior gives every citizen a grace period of 30 days for istimara renewal. However, you will face Qatar traffic violation fines if you fail to renew your vehicle registration within the stipulated time.