More job categories likely to soon be excluded from getting driving licence

It is only in the last few days that Qatari traffic authorities lifted the need for people from five countries to take driving tests in the country.

However, it is now understood that they are also planning to declare more job categories as being ineligible for applying for a light-vehicle licence in Qatar.

The move, which comes as a measure to allay traffic congestion woes, will add to the existing list of over 180 jobs already banned from having the permission, reported The Peninsula.

This is being done as part of a national strategy to address traffic congestion, a senior official at General Directorate of Traffic Department said.

“Currently, the demand of driving licence is very high and there’re many categories of jobs which will be banned from getting car driving licence,” said the official.

However, he added that the policy could be relaxed in the coming days.

“The department is waiting for the completion of mega urban projects and once they like roads and bridges are completed, the department can relax the policy.”

The categories of jobs which could be banned in future included jobs relating to administration.

“These categories don’t require a driving licence as the companies are supposed to provide them with transportation.”

The job categories already banned from getting driving licences include grocer, butcher, tailor, goldsmith, agricultural worker, decoration technician, mining technician, beautician, mechanic, newspaper vendor, barber, servant, cosmetologist, security guard, porter, shepherd etc.

To make driving test time comfortable for applicants, the time has been adjusted from 5am to 7am; divided in three days for three different tests including computer test, parking test and road test.