GCC driver’s license holders to face relaxed rules

Obtaining a driver’s license in Qatar is turning out to be tricky to most people. In addition to this, the old rule where a GCC license could be directly converted into a Qatari driving license has been removed.

According to the new rule, a person holding a license from the other GCC states can directly go for a road test, in order to get a Qatari driving license.

This rule applies to those in possession of driving licenses of the US and some European countries as well. However, there has been no change in the old rule regarding license holders from the other countries other than those mentioned above.

“One must join a learner’s course at a driving school and take the full test if he holds driver’s license from one of such countries like India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal, for instance,” reports The Peninsula.

For the road test, the driver is given only two chances to clear it.

Also, it has been found that the demand for heavy vehicle license has shot up due to the numerous infra structure projects sprouting up in the country.

This has been further confirmed by a driving school official who said his school received some 40 to 60 requests for admission on an average daily and a vast majority were for heavy vehicle training and license.

Adel Salem, manager of Al Rayah Driving School, also said that the pass percentage of the drivers was roughly 70% in both heavy and light vehicles.

In regard to the computer test which assesses a learner’s knowledge of traffic signs and rules, Salem said one could take the tests until one cleared it.

However, after one fails the fourth time an interpreter is made available to him. Currently, interpreters are available for several languages, including English, Urdu and Hindi. Clearing the computer test is a must to be eligible for ‘L’, parking and road tests.

He also suggested that plans have been taken to increase the fee. The Peninsula quotes him as, “Nothing has been decided as yet.”