driving lessons

mimi37
By mimi37

Hi

 

Has anyone taken some driving lessons in Qatar?

Does anyone know the procedure?

Is it possible to take lessons on automatoc cars??

 

Thanks a lot!

By dreamandsmile• 19 Apr 2008 21:34
dreamandsmile

I'll be there in a few months, so the info really helps.  At least now I know what to expect.  Thanks Newbie, I appreciate it!

By newbie28• 16 Apr 2008 09:03
newbie28

thank you for that very informative story of yours, at least now i do know exactly what to expect...im having my driving lesson by May, our PRO has some connections in one of the driving schools and he was the one who arranged it for me...hopefully i pass since i have also been driving for quite a while back in the Phils..thanks so much!

By DMM• 3 Apr 2008 22:36
DMM

 

Newbie28

 

Depending on where you are from in most cases will deterime how painful or painless this procedure will be (eitherway annoying) Just prepare yourself for a rollercoaster ride of emotions. There will be anger, sadness, depression, more anger, then one day overwhelming joy! Let's be frank-the traffic police in most cases are racist to some level also of course there is some favoritism. To disagree with this one just needs to stand in the parking lot watching Qatari Dad's chatting up the officers before, during, and after the test. Also, the special car or van GC citizens are loaded in while the rest are packed in like sardines. I am very lucky, I'm American, I failed the first time for hitting a pole during pocket parking. The second time, the road test that I was so nervous about was a joke for me. I drove for less than 2 minutes in a parking lot. Finished past. There was an older Arab man first, an Egyptian next, then me. We drove for about 5 minutes total, all past. The rest of the van (Mostly Indians, with one Vietanamese that had taken the exam 5 times) drove around for another 90 minutes with 3 out of 12 passing. One was to be a driver for a Qatari's wife and he was on his 4th try. The Qatari was a very funny guy. He kept complaining that he hired the driver, then found out once he was here that his experience was only with a Tuk Tuk. I kept thinking to myself  'maybe you want to splurge a little more for a better driver, he's going to be driving your wife and kids'. The Qatari was going to send him home if he didn't pass but he pulled it off. I believe he was happier than me.

 

Rambling on!

For women, there are special days for the test. Sometimes the officer is friendly and will say things in English, others I've heard bark at you in Arabic

For me, my guy said 4 words of English -Right-Uturn-Stop- Nice Once again I feel very lucky. My neighbors have not had it so easy

Like someone stated previously you do have to go to the main traffic office and get some forms filled out in Arabic and stamped. If you don't speak Arabic, lots of guys out front to help for a fee. You need to get an eye exam, you can go to any Optician (cost 20-30 riyal), take the test and get it notarized by her/him.

 

If you have a licence in your home country , most likely you will have to sign up for 24 classes(1800 riyal) maybe 12(900 riyal) if lucky. In previous post people list phone numbers to schools. Didn't have the best of luck always getting someone to answer or understanding directions, went in person. Took my classses at Qatar Modern (Close to Aspire) good enough. I had to wait 30 days before I got to start. Many people in the past have said you can get this bumped up. I tried with no luck, but everyone's experience seems to be different (although most would agree annoying). I did get my second test date bumped up 2 weeks. You are suppose to wait a month but I got someone from QU to go down and get it sooner. It would have been a week but there was Eid in between. So, knowing some can help a bit.

 

In the end, it cost me 1800 riyal classes

                                     150 license (school took my papers to the Traffic Department after I passed and I picked up my license in the evening)

                               (50 x 2)100 test

                                          15-20 eye test

 

From start to finish with holidays - 4 months to complete.

 

Good luck- humor will go a long way- DMM

 

I forgot- no on the automatic- but I have heard this is changing and some schools will begin lessons with a small amount of automatics. This would be great as I found it the most difficult part of the experience- so cross you fingers for that- once again- good luck

                                     

By Dianapilar• 3 Apr 2008 16:52
Dianapilar

I'm lucky in that respect, as i have a british licence, so that means i can drive!! yippy!!! but is scary out there, but getting more used to it n confident on the roads, that's not mean u can relax, never here, that how accident happens, i got eyes even on the back of my head..good luck n keep safe.

By Ajnas• 3 Apr 2008 16:32
Ajnas

and i am one of those few who got liscence at 17, but now no chance of getting it at 17

By anonymous• 3 Apr 2008 15:58
anonymous

My husband has recently passed his test!He went to gulf Driving school behind Villagio, they seemed good. Although he can't have been that good cos he failed twice lol I had to write a NOC for my husband ie 'I have no objections to my husband learning to drive' was the sort of thing I wrote in it lol ( I didn't mention, so that he can pick me up after a nite out with the girls or he can take the baby to zoo to give me some peace lol) Good luck!

By newbie28• 3 Apr 2008 14:43
newbie28

thanks Aunt Polly...

 

By Aunt Polly• 3 Apr 2008 14:40
Aunt Polly

 i took 12 lessons -I had a license from home .

I think the lessons cost Qr 1200- for 12 classes.

Driving test Qr 50/

Driving license Qr 150 /-

 

 

 

 

Aunt Polly

By newbie28• 3 Apr 2008 14:32
newbie28

hi, any idea how much i have to spend for the exams and for applying the license?

thanks...

By Aunt Polly• 3 Apr 2008 14:22
Aunt Polly

 

 

 NOC - no objection certificate

QID -Qatar ID - resident permit

 

Aunt Polly

By thexonic• 3 Apr 2008 14:18
thexonic

I took them, u cannot do them on automatic  cars. The lessons include L which is driving and turning at a 90 Degree angle towards and on a slope. There's pocket parking and the road, luckily they dont have the S anymore, that was the hardest. Oh and on the day of test, you will have to tell them what symbols means what, so learn the traffic signs and symbols. Thats all.

 

 

--------------------

"Be Like a Flower, Which gives off it's fragrance

even to the hand that crushes it.

By mimi37• 3 Apr 2008 14:17
mimi37

Thanks Aunt Polly,

 

sorry still new here...what is NOC and QID?

 

By Aunt Polly• 3 Apr 2008 14:15
Aunt Polly

 

 

 You need

1. NOC from husband

2. Authentication from work place if working

3. QID of course

I think that is it

go to one of the driving schools and ask them to give you lessons and they will tell you what documents are required

i think you need a couple of photos too

 

Aunt Polly

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