Expats from GCC countries cannot change driving license into a Qatari one
A new report has been released by The Traffic Department saying that the driving licenses of expats from the GCC countries cannot be converted into Qatari Driving licenses.
One needs to be a GCC Citizen in order to be eligible for this license conversion, explains the report.
The Peninsula further adds that the department has decided to stop direct driving tests for holders of driving licenses issued in several Asian and African countries like, Sri Lanka, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Indonesia, Philippines, Nepal, Somalia, China, Egypt, Sudan, Ghana, Mauritania, Kenya, North Korea, Ethiopia, etc.
In order to obtain a driving license, they will be required to take at least a half course in a driving school in Qatar and pass the tests.
The minimum duration of the course will be decided based on the nature of their license.
i had a qatar license, which got converted to Oman license, when i moved to oman .....if i come back to qatar again for job, do i need to give test once again, or can i show the photo copy of my last issued driving license of qatar ( which i kept) and get it issued....please advise......
I think Mr. Britexpat is a BritEXPERT.... I think you already have a license and you don't know what problems people are facing because of this stupid change in the Rule.
some more points for Mr BritEXPERT
A better Infra means better roads which can accommodate more traffic volume. Number of drivers will anyhow increase with time that cant be controlled like this.
Regarding Bogus License I have heard that you can get it here too... its just a game of money.
This is a very stupid change in rule, No GCC citizen will come to Qatar to take a licence. It was only good for expats having GCC license and now they have banned that. Just a move to extract money from the expacts in the name of training and school. People who have been driving in GCC countries for last more than 5 years need no such training and its just a waste of their money. They should definitely give some notice and some grace period for the people who were already in process of converting their license. But no such intimation was also given. It will simply create problems for people and delay the works. shame.
Nothing to do with poverty or superiority...
I believe there are two issues:
1: It is very easy to get bogus licenses from these countries
2: the government wants to control the growth of the number of driver / cars - this is one way of doing this
The rule is not fare, rules should be same for each one..
Rather than developing the requisite infra-structure, this seems a retrogressive approach.TRUE!!
Isn't this Partiality and Violation of respect for Human beings and Equality of Nationalities for stop direct driving tests for holders of driving licenses issued in several Asian and African countries only.
Why some Nationality considered superior to Others? Isn't this prejudice.
Is this because these nationality is poor. These poor who are exploited and has to pay for driving school and tests and trainings and wait in the queue for months to get a test date. The other europeans and americans already are rich and again walk away without any charge for Driving test....
This is really really bad on the Part of Qatar.............
This is really really bad
mohdata I found out from traffic police we can directly go for computer test and road test if we have valid Saudi driving license. But the dates they give can be a month or more for the test.
you really need to lean driving before you try on the weird road of Qatar...People drive here like insane...
I was hoping I could get my Saudi license converted to Qatari one once I get there. Hmmmm, unlucky me.
So already converted one will not be affected?
i had a qatar license, which got converted to Oman license, when i moved to oman .....if i come back to qatar again for job, do i need to give test once again, or can i show the photo copy of my last issued driving license of qatar ( which i kept) and get it issued....please advise......
Farazshaf: No, it means you have not read the article or have comprehension issues...
What does this have to go with infrastructure ?
Rather than developing the requisite infra-structure, this seems a retrogressive approach.
Does this mean non gcc expats have top give direct road test and computer test to pass the license if they have Saudi license?
This is a good move. At the very least, it will minimize crazy and careless drivers in Doha Roads.
I think its good move...because there are many illegal licence holders on the street already,even they don't know the Road rules to drive,Many Accident will Minimize due to this rules
BEFORE 6 MONTH AGO THEY STOP TO CONVERT LICENSE ACCORDING TO PROFESSION ON VISA. SUDDENLY THEY APPLY NEW RULES.. ITS REALLY UPSET FOR EXPERTISE.
AL-LEAST THEY SHOULD GIVE 2 ROAD TEST DIRECT, AS WE KNOW VERY WELL ALL THE OTHER GCC COUNTRIES THEY GIVE TWO ROAD TEST AS WELL AS WE KNOW IN ESPECIALLY UAE HOW MUCH DIFFICULT TO GET THE LICENSE.
yah... correct sahmad2015. it is going to be a full of time and money waste. according to qatarliving article before one week, normally the passing rate is too low.
it's not good move. at-least they should give road test..
it's jut money and time-waste
it's not good move. at-least they should give road test..
it's jut money and time-waste
Good move !
Where is the link to the full report?