Obtaining Driving license by GCC driving license holders (expats)

Dear all

I am writing this post for awareness about procedure of obtaining light vehicle driving by GCC license holders. Expats who are not GCC citizens cannot convert their driving license directly in Qatar. Also your profession mentioned in QID is very important. Check your eligibility with the traffic department office attached with driving school. It keeps on changing from time to time. In my case I was not eligible to apply in March 2020 (Profession mentioned in QID Electronic Technician). In October when I approached them they allowed me to apply license. 

I am an Indian National, having license from Oman. I was eligible to go for direct driving test. 

1. Ist go to Traffic dept. office to check your eligibility (its attached with driving school)

2. If they say yes, then you have to go for eye test (facility available with driving school). It will cost you 50 QAR, taken as cash in my case. 

3. Then go to Traffic dept office again with your QID and GCC driving license. They will charge 50 QAR by bank card and register you for the direct "Signal Test" and advise you the date of test. It was 18 days waiting in my case. 

4. Now go to "signal class" with one photo, they will charge you QAR 350 for class (in my case they provided Mobile app for learning because of Covid-19 restrictions).

5. Signal test would be conducted on computers, you will have 15 minutes for 20 questions. Prepare well with given app by driving school. There is no limit for number of attempts but may cost you each time. In my case I cleared on Ist attempt.

6. After clearing signal test, again go to traffic dept. office and they will register you for road test and advise you the date as per your convenience (in my case earliest available date was with 1.5 months of waiting time). You will have 2 attempts to pass road test otherwise you will have to take driving classes will be considered as trainee.

7. On the street test date, driving school will charge you QAR 200 and book car for you. While driving test you are expected to follow rules of road. Below advised (not an expert advise)

a. Dress up good.

b. Wish to the police officer conducting test.

c. Adjust your seat and put on seat belt. Request and insist the police officer to put his seatbelt too.  Adjust your mirrors and check blindspots. 

d. Put hazard lights ON  in case the car is not in designated parking. When officer asks you to start moving then put off parking lights, change the gear, remove handbrake and put left or right signal whichever direction you are moving. You are expected to follow lane rules, keep side indicator ON while changing lanes.

e. Follow the speed limits and instructions from officer, show good confidence in driving and hopefully you will pass. (I was lucky enough to pass in Ist attempt). You will get your result on return to driving school and if you pass you can collect your license same time from traffic department by paying QAR 250 by bank card. 

Thanks for reading and hope it will help others.