Driving schools jack up fees
Published: Thursday, 9 August, 2007, 12:27 AM Doha Time
THE five driving schools in Qatar have hiked their fees by QR300 in all three ‘crash course’, ‘half course’ and ‘full course’ categories. The move, coupled with the long waiting time, has made things very difficult for the public.
For peak time classes the average waiting period runs to more than a few months.
If a person holds a valid driver’s licence from a different country, a Qatari driving licence can be obtained by signing up for a 12-day ‘crash course’ - with an hour’s lesson everyday. The fee for the 12-day course is fixed at QR900 in all schools. Earlier it was QR600.
A full course of 40 hours with an hour’s class every day is charged QR2,100. In November 2006 the fee for a full course was QR1,800. For a ‘half course’ of 25 hours, the prospective driver has to shell out QR1,800 – an increase from QR1,500.
An official of Gulf Driving School made clear that the Traffic Department has sanctioned the fee hike which has come into effect since July 1st. She pointed out that the waiting period for the peak time 6pm-7pm classes is at least four months.
Ahmad Munir, at Al-Rayyah Driving School, said the increase in the fees was due to “very high demand and to keep up with the inflation in Qatar”.
The average time on the wait list depends on what hour of the day it is. It is three months for 6am – 7am class and two months for 2pm – 3pm class. One would hope to be able to sign up for the 12pm – 1pm class, since businesses close for midday rest, but even the wait time for that slot is at least 1 ½ months.
In some cases, instructors at the driving schools work over-time and take classes even after 7pm. The customer usually ends up paying a little extra.
The driving school operated by the state-run transport monopoly Mowasalat charges the highest fee in the industry. The fee for a seven-day short course is QR1,055; for a 15-day course it is QR1,905 and for a 30-day course it is QR2,705.
The relatively new school has a fleet of certified training cars and qualified instructors. It was supposed to play more of a regulator’s role for other driving schools since its inception.
According to an insurance company, a large number of people driving in Qatar have no valid licence.
Driving schools jack up fees
Published: Thursday, 9 August, 2007, 12:27 AM Doha Time
THE five driving schools in Qatar have hiked their fees by QR300 in all three ‘crash course’, ‘half course’ and ‘full course’ categories. The move, coupled with the long waiting time, has made things very difficult for the public.
For peak time classes the average waiting period runs to more than a few months.
If a person holds a valid driver’s licence from a different country, a Qatari driving licence can be obtained by signing up for a 12-day ‘crash course’ - with an hour’s lesson everyday. The fee for the 12-day course is fixed at QR900 in all schools. Earlier it was QR600.
A full course of 40 hours with an hour’s class every day is charged QR2,100. In November 2006 the fee for a full course was QR1,800. For a ‘half course’ of 25 hours, the prospective driver has to shell out QR1,800 – an increase from QR1,500.
An official of Gulf Driving School made clear that the Traffic Department has sanctioned the fee hike which has come into effect since July 1st. She pointed out that the waiting period for the peak time 6pm-7pm classes is at least four months.
Ahmad Munir, at Al-Rayyah Driving School, said the increase in the fees was due to “very high demand and to keep up with the inflation in Qatar”.
The average time on the wait list depends on what hour of the day it is. It is three months for 6am – 7am class and two months for 2pm – 3pm class. One would hope to be able to sign up for the 12pm – 1pm class, since businesses close for midday rest, but even the wait time for that slot is at least 1 ½ months.
In some cases, instructors at the driving schools work over-time and take classes even after 7pm. The customer usually ends up paying a little extra.
The driving school operated by the state-run transport monopoly Mowasalat charges the highest fee in the industry. The fee for a seven-day short course is QR1,055; for a 15-day course it is QR1,905 and for a 30-day course it is QR2,705.
The relatively new school has a fleet of certified training cars and qualified instructors. It was supposed to play more of a regulator’s role for other driving schools since its inception.
According to an insurance company, a large number of people driving in Qatar have no valid licence.