Brand new Qatar drivers licence - how, when, who, where, how much, how long???

Tendai
By Tendai

Anybody know what the process is for getting a brand new Qatar drivers licence? To be clear, I am not talking about conversion from any other?

It would be nice to now:

  • what the process is?
  • when one can engage it i.e. before or after RP receipt? Does this matter at all?
  • Who one goes to for lessons and/or the requisite paperwork?
  • Where one needs to go to get all of this done?
  • What the costs are?
  • How long this all takes.

 Thanks in advance.

By butterfly• 9 Nov 2006 09:06
Rating: 5/5
butterfly

Go talk to this guy

http://www.lifeonthespot.com/

His wife recently got a brand new qatari driving licence and she might be able to answer your questions from first hand experience.

Also, Tendai and others, I was last night looking at this guy's blog and it has lots and lots of useful info!

By butterfly• 7 Nov 2006 22:19
Rating: 5/5
butterfly

She will need a written permission form the sponsor (you, if it's for your wife?)

Apply to the Driving Licence Section at Madinat Khalifa traffic department, which is open 6am-8pm from Suanday to thursday.

Fill in the application form, which must be signed and stamped by your sponsor. This form is in arabic, but for a small fee, the offices outside the front gate will complete the process for you. Three passport size photos, your QID and your soponsor's ID, plus photocopies of these, must accompany the application.

An eye test will also be given. Once approval is granted (NO IDEA HOW LONG IT TAKES?), register at an authorised driving school (offices are inside the traffic Dept compound) for a mandatory course of driving lessons.

A full course (50 hours)cost arond 1,500QR, but if you can drive, the school will assess you and may offer you a 12day course at QR550

Besides practical driving skills, the schools teach driving theory and basic car maintenance. They undertake the testing on a purpose-built off-road test site, as well as out on the road. Each driving tests costs QR50, plus QR60 for use of the driving school's car. The maximum is three attemts for each full course of lessons. Once you pass the test, the traffict Dept issues a full licence at QR155 for five years.

By Tendai• 7 Nov 2006 21:57
Tendai

... I'd actually given up!

By Terramax• 7 Nov 2006 17:09
Terramax

Guys, guys, can't you just stop and read what Tendai wrote? He said "To be clear, I am not talking about conversion from any other?"

In other words - he asked on how to get a Qatar license if one has NO other license.

By Tigasin321• 7 Nov 2006 16:58
Rating: 5/5
Tigasin321

Do you have a UK license? If so, the cost is QR150. You take an eye test, hand in your UK license (you will get it back) and you will be given a Qatar license without having to take a test. You also need to get your sponsor's PRO to fill out a form for you and you will need 2 passport pics.

You must also have an Iqama (resident permit).

Also go early in the morning as the process is tedious and takes a few hours.

By Tendai• 7 Nov 2006 16:47
Tendai

guys.

By scoobydooby• 7 Nov 2006 11:55
scoobydooby

A friend is on a one year multiple-entry business visa. Can she get a Qatari drivers license? She has an American.

By e46M3• 7 Nov 2006 11:34
Rating: 5/5
e46M3

You need to go to traffic police at Madinat Khalifa, fill the form, take the eye test and pay 150 Riyals. You need your residence permit and Qatari ID before you can proceed. It takes about 10-14 days.

Ask your sponsor if you can have your British license exchanged. You should be able to do it.

By anonymous• 7 Nov 2006 10:24
Rating: 5/5
anonymous

go to Al Rayah driving school. all your questions will be answered there. If you have previous driving experience, go for half course. cost is QR 1100 about 2 years back.Their no. is 4877774-4877700. I did my course there and highly recommend them.

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