Conversion of International to Qatari Driving License

debeers
By debeers

hi! I just want to know how to convert an International Driving License to a Qatari Driving License. What would be the documents required and how long (hopefuly, short :-) ) would it take?
Thanks.

By shijaz• 6 Sep 2009 19:31
Rating: 4/5
shijaz

That's not correct, I got my GCC license converted last week at Madinat Khalifa traffic dept. It took hardly 15 mins. All I had to do was an eye test. Please don't post incorrect information, this will mislead others.

By anonymous• 8 Jan 2009 19:57
anonymous

i guess u have to give the test

By masterchief• 29 Jun 2008 00:19
Rating: 2/5
masterchief

I had an international driver license when i came to Doha, didn't mean anything except i could rent a car for week or two and actually drive it.

i exchanged my UAE license by only doing the eye test, but i heard it is not as easy as that anymore, as even GCC license holders will have to do some driving tests as well.

By rogeryu• 28 Jun 2008 23:37
Rating: 5/5
rogeryu

Hi,

I think there is a list of countries that they allow conversion with only eye test done at Khalifa Traffic Department.

What you need is :-

1) two photographs

2) duplicate of your passports, driving license, RP and for some countries, a letter from your embassy and of course your sponsor letter indicating your job requires driving almost daily.

3) bring your glasses and ensure your photo show you wearing one too.

4) when you arrive, goto the info counter, one lady sitting on her own, show her and you will be given a form. (is in English and Arab) then you proceed to 2nd level to do your eye-test.

5) after which , go back to the same lady for a queue number to be called for showing your documents.

6) here is the tricky part, if the counter ladies is ot sure if you can convert, you will be asked to see the Captain or some senior officer right at the end where you get to see lots of people waiting to see him.

7) If he is ok, sign on, you go back to the same counter to get another queue number. Your license is converted.

Avoid going too late as it closes at 2pm. Go like between 7 to 745am, so that you need not meet the super queue. Dress for success too. I have got a good feeling if you speak their language will be terrific. Or try to stay with white for men and black for ladies. I noticed they have some preference indirectly.BTW, it is not easy to flag a taxi from Khalifa, try get someone to drive you there too.

On a worst case, book a test date via one of the "runners" (est cost round 50 to 100QR) they are almost everywhere and will be trying to seek your attention to buy their services. If your license if ok for conversion, do not bother getting their assistance. Checkout other part of this forum on the list of driving license allowed.

There are though some special cases but provided you are holding some post within the company and the job requires constant driving and a good sponsor letter; through some right runners they can help you speak to the right authority to help recommend in writing and endorsed to the issuing captain for the official license conversion. So far I think only a handful of them got through.

Hope these helps.

By infinitl2008• 16 Jun 2008 07:34
Rating: 5/5
infinitl2008

If you have a GCC driving lisence or Brittish, American or Canadian,

They will automaticaly give you a Qatari one directly (just do the eye test),

Other wise if you have any other type of DL then you apply and see what they want from you.

If you do not have any DL then they will ask you to go to a DL school first.

in all casses you need to pass them by in Madenat Khalifa take what ever DL's you have

Best of luck

By dhanurath• 15 Jun 2008 17:25
Rating: 5/5
dhanurath

Hi,

You have not mentioned the name of issuing authority of international licence you are holding. If you have a valid licence from any of the GCC countries, the procedure is simple. Eye Test, Go to Traffic Dept. there is a typing centre, they will fill up the form for you, go with your original licence, ID/Passport + 150 riyals, I presume... Good Luck...Enjoy Driving in Doha...

By anonymous• 15 Jun 2008 17:23
Rating: 5/5
anonymous

Nope, International Driving license cannot be transferred to anything. It all depends where you got your original drivers license and what nationality you are

By tripema• 15 Jun 2008 17:17
tripema

Try setting up a search for this in the search box, there are several past threads with all the info you need. Am gonna need to do this myself in the next couple of weeks.

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