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How to Get Your Driving License in Qatar?
If you intend to live in Qatar, the first thing you should do is get your driver’s license. Due to the climate in the country and challenging system with public transportation making it difficult to commute around the city. An acquisition of a driving license is recommended to have for the long run, especially when it comes to handling taxi or uber expenses, it is a much cheaper!
Whether you are a graduating student and applying for your first driving license or an experienced driver and looking into validating your current license received from another country. Here is our guide to help you get a Qatar driver’s license.
Requirements
- Age Requirement
To become eligible for driving a vehicle, you must be at least 18 years of age or older to apply for a light motor vehicle or a motorcycle license in Qatar. While the minimum age requirement to apply for heavy vehicle license is 21.
- Residency Requirement
You must have a valid residency permit (QID), or any other identification documents, a copy of the visa, or original passport in case your Qatar ID has not been issued.
- Profession Requirement
Specific professions are not eligible to get a Qatar driving license. The Traffic Department justifies this as an approach to move and reduce traffic congestion on the roads. Hence, before applying for a driver’s license check if your profession allows you to obtain one.
List of Professions Not Eligible to Apply for Driving License in Qatar
Here is the list of professions that are not eligible to apply for a driving license in Qatar
| Agricultural Worker Air Cargo Worker Animal Caretaker Assistant Builder Bakery Worker Baking Mixer Barber Barkeeper Beauty Saloon Worker Blacksmith Boat Carpenter Bricks Builder Builder Butcher Calligraphy Technician Carrier Cashier Ceramic Worker Communication Assistant Computer Programmer Concrete Blacksmith Connections Technician Construction Carpenter Cook, Typist Cook’s Assistant Crusher Machine Operator Curtain Installer Curtain Upholstery Worker Décor Carpenter Decorator Assistant Digger Digger, Bricks Builder Electric Welder Embroider Falafel Maker Farmer Financial Services Worker Fisherman Fishing Net Maker Fodder Worker | Furniture Upholstery Worker Gardener Gate Guard General Carpenter General Electrician General Equipment Mechanic General Manufacturing Worker General Typing Glass Installer Goldsmith Grave Digger Grocery Worker Gypsum Worker Health and Safety Technician Henna Maker Herdsman Horse Hostler Horse Trainer Hotel Service Worker House Manager Ice Maker Industrial Service Worker Installation Electrician Irrigation Worker Jeweler Juice Maker Kebab Maker Laborer Land Shipment Worker Lathing Worker Laundry Worker Lift Electrician Lift Worker Machine Operator Manufacturing Worker Massage Worker Milkman Mining Technician Mixer Operator Nanny | Newspaper Sellers Nutrition Worker Oxygen Welder Packing and Grinding Worker Painter Paramedic, Coffee Boy Pastry Maker Pharmacy Assistant Pipes Welder Plaster Worker Plumber Plumber Assistant Prayer Caller (Moazin) Rescue Worker Sailor Salesman Sculptor Sea Shipment Worker Security Guard Servant Service Worker Shipping Worker Shoemaker Stamp Maker Sweets Maker Tailor Tailoring Worker Technical Assistant Telephone Central Electrician Tents Tailor Tiles Worker Translator Tyre Worker Upholstery Worker Vegetable Seller Vinegar Maker Waiter Watchman Welder Whitesmith Wood Seller |
Qatar Driving License Valid Countries List
If you own a driver’s license from another country, check whether your current driving license is valid for exchange or direct test before you enroll for a driving course in Qatar.
- Driving license from some countries mainly “Western countries” are eligible for direct exchange.
- If you have a driving license from any of the GCC countries, you can take a direct test without attending the training course. Depending on which country the license was issued from, you may be eligible for a shorter training course- a half course (20 classes) instead of a full course (40 classes).
What is the Process to get your Driver’s License in Qatar?
Step 1: Select your driving school
There are several driving schools located around the country which is accommodating for those looking for a driving school in their area. Here are a few of them:
- Karwa Driving School
- Al Khebra Driving Academy
- Alijarah Driving Academy
- Dallah Driving Academy
- Doha Driving Academy
- Gulf Driving School
- United Driving School
Also, check this article on THE BEST 7 Driving Schools in Qatar to check all fees.
Step 2: Request NOC (No Objection Certificate)
A letter from your sponsor to approve the request for a new license is done via online application on Metrash2 mobile app or MOI website.
Step 3: Eye Test for Driving License
Most driving schools offer an eye test service at their site. This is done to determine whether you would need to wear optic glasses/lenses when driving, to ensure the safety of you and others on the road. Nonetheless, as an alternative you can bring an Eye Test certificate from an oculist or ophthalmologist approved by the Traffic department.
- Fee for an eye test ranges between 25 QR and 50 QR, if done at the driving school site.
Step 4: Apply for a Driving Course
Once you have prepared and approved all your documents, submit them to a driving school of your choice. The driving school will recommend you a course based on your legibility.
Documents required to apply for a driving course (Expat Residence)
- Valid Qatar ID (Original+2Copies)
- NOC by Metrash2/MIO Website
- Color passport size photo (4Pcs)
- Eye Test Certificate
- *If applying for a half course-(Original valid home country license)*
After you register and pay your fees, the driving school will provide you with material to start your theory lessons. Some may have their own application for theory lesson, if not you will be given a guidebook instead.
Step 5: Theory Lessons
Driving schools will offer you theory classes mainly around the topics of traffic laws in Qatar, road signs, and driving ethics. You will be provided either a physical attendance theory class on a computer or a tablet, or you through the driving school’s mobile app. Practice as much as possible and do mock tests to evaluate your progress prior to doing the theory test.
Step 6: Theory Test
Once you have completed your theory classes, you can apply for a theory test at your driving school. There you will be assessed by giving the test on a computer, where you will have to get at least 37 out of 40 questions correct to pass and start your practical lessons.
*The test will be available in different languages to accommodate students*
Step 7: Practical Lessons
You will be allocated a driving instructor for one-to-one practical driving lessons. You can ask for a male or female instructor based on your requirement; however, some schools require a higher fee for a female instructor.
Phase 1: First phase of the practical lessons will be on parking, main tasks you must achieve are parking tests known as L and P. (L) refers to perpendicular parking and (P) refers to parallel parking.
Phase 2: Second phase of the practical lessons will be on the road. Your instructor will train you to drive on the main road and get used to the techniques and skills required, as well prepare you for your final test.
Step 8: Final Road Test
Once You have completed your road training with an instructor. You will be given a date for your final road test. Where it will be done on the driving school car, present with you in the car is a Traffic Officer to assess your legibility to drive.
*A driving license will be issued immediately once you have successfully completed your driving test*
Note: It is a legal requirement to hold a valid license to drive in Qatar. The Traffic Department is the authorized authority for issuing driving licenses.