Driving License

So, this is something I researched and researched and think - hey, I might as well share my experiences in getting my Qatari driving permit.

I am from Trinidad & Tobago and have a driving permit from there. I've driven everywhere (Europe, Texas) with it and was so peeved when Qatar won't let me drive! Anyways, knowing that I can drive (been driving for over 7 years) I really tried to get it simply converted - no go.

Al Rayyan (Mohammed advertises here a lot for them) posted their # here on QL so I called Mhd and met him that very evening. He put me on to someone else and I got my test date THERE AND THEN - so efficient.

Got there the next day for my test, confident, and FAILED the L. Yes... FAILED. I almost died.

I had to go offshore for 3 weeks, but the day I landed I called Al Rayyan again - the same guy I spoke with before advised that I get there soonest and book another test date for the next day (ladies' day). I got there and paid my 50 riyal (NO wait) and went back home.

The next day, I got up at 4:30 to get to the school for 5am. People were already there, but we waited for maybe half hour before the cashiers opened to pay for the rental of the car. Since I passed the signs test already, I simply sat there and waited until the yard parking tests.

To be honest, they were super fast and efficient in my book - it was just ALOT of women there today! A couple people failed and left after the L, I went on to pass both. Went back into the waiting room, waited for about an hour before my name was called to head to the bus.

We drove around in the bus, each lady coming out to do her road test - and it was fair - each person had to turn right, left, roundabout, main road. I was the last from my bus to go and when I got in, I met a very pleasant officer and lady in the back seat who asked if I spoke english or arabic. Anyways, since I was last, I drove the usual route and headed back to the school. They were so professional, fair and yet still friendly!

Thank God I passed - you really really just have to be confident, ensure you do all the usual good driving habits like seatbelt, keeping the eyes on the road, checking your mirrors, indicating correctly on the round about...

All those horrible test stories I read about are so unreal.

That, or they didn't go to Al Rayyan. Very professional and fair. It's a long process, but that's just how it is everywhere... and they gave me my test dates so quickly - bless 'em!

I'm now pimping out a new Pajero - holla back! :)

Sue