Driving License in Qatar

Hi Guys,

I just wanted to share my experience in getting a driving license in Qatar. Thankfully I got mine last week in my first attempt. I hope this information will be helpful for people looking for answers.

Since I work I had to take my classes late evenings from 9pm to 10pm. It might be difficult to get earlier slots unless you are ready to wait for a month or maybe less. I did not want to wait so I took the late classes. I used to travel from Old Airport area to Karwa Training Institute at Industrial Estate for 10 days by taxi paying QR.60 per day for pick up and drop. I am sure you can get it cheaper than this. So you do the math.

Procedures:
1. Letter from the Employer + Copy of Company ID.
2. Eye test report in original. (I got mine done from LuLu Hypermarket, Old Airport)
3. Copy of your ID.
3. Register with Karwa (Short Coures QR.1400 for 10 days as of 2012). Registration should be done in person only either at Karwa Training Institure at Industrial Estate (OR) Al Mansoora Branch. Registration should be done before 7pm. If you have driving experience for more than 10 years in your home country then you can opt for short course. Otherwise it’s Medium or Long course.
4. Payment preferred by Credit Card though they accept cash sometimes.
5. On registration you can book your training sessions immediately at the same counter. You will be given the date, time and the name of the training Instructor. You can choose the language you prefer to get trained which is something good.
6. After registration you have to get the existing driving license from your home country verified by the Cops. They will be available at the Karwa Institute at Industrial Estate from 7am to 10am, Sunday to Thursday only.

The first class will be a theory class which you must attend compulsorily. This can take about 3 to 4 hours and will be counted as the first 2 hours of your driving sessions. Please note that your driving classes are usually one hour per day. This will be marked in the training card which will be issued at the time of registration. Please make sure you that you get your training card signed by the Instructor after each session/class. You don’t need a theory test if the Cops verify your existing driving license from your home country. Guys please opt for manual transmission unless you really want to opt for automatic. Manual is very very easy.

On commencing your training sessions please ensure you don't take a break so that you can book your date of Final Test as soon as possible. Normally it takes a week or two to book the Test date which can be done through the training Instructor on request or you can do it by yourself at the registration counter.

Note: Please book one training session a week later after completing the classes. i.e. your 10th classes. This will help you to brush your driving skills just before the Test date. You should plan this before you book your sessions on the day of registration.

Now regarding tips to the Instructors. Well what you hear is neither right nor wrong, but it depends on the Instructor. Karwa instructors do take tips as much as any other driving school here in Doha. But they do not force you as other schools do. Nor do they avoid teaching you properly like other schools. All Instructors are nice and very friendly. They will hint towards the end of the classes. So considering their good will you might wanna give them QR.50/100.

Final Test Day – Tests are scheduled only in the mornings of working days from 5am to 7am only. This can be a real inconvenience especially when you don’t have someone to drop you that early. I had to pay a little extra to arrange for a taxi so early. Please do not be late for the test since they start sharp at 5am. You might wanna set up two or three different alarms to help you wake up early that morning.

Test has three stages.
1. Road Signs (1 to 2 minutes) – You will be asked to identify the road signs from a printed paper or cut outs. This is the easiest part of the test. You will be given study materials during the theory class to familiarize yourselves with the road symbols.
2. Reversing on a Ramp (10 minutes if you are on queue) – Make sure you master this skill. If you are not sure ask the Instructor to help you understand. This can be very easy if you understand the concept of reversing using the mirrors. The tricky part is that you have to reverse on a slope in a narrow lane without touching the side cones. Personally I had no problem. Most of them clear this since this is very easy and quick.
3. Road Test (30 minutes to one hour) – First of all be very attentive to the Cops so as to hear what they tell you during the test. The Cops don’t talk much so you are on your own. You can never judge your performance until you get back to the Institute where the results are announced. You might have to wait until all the others finish their test. On an average 150 to 200 candidates take the test per day.

On completing the test you will be brought back to the Institute by Bus and you will wait for the results. If you pass you will have to wait for about 20 to 30 minutes to get your License Card by paying QR.250 using a Credit Card. If you don’t pass you go back to the registration counter and start all over again which you don’t want.

Though you start the test around 5pm the whole process takes about 4 to 5 hours. So you might wanna inform your office that you will be late for work that day.

I hope this information will help you to get a license with ease. Good luck Guys.

Cheers…:)