Qatar's Driving rules for Visitors & Residents

Do you love driving on the roads of Qatar? Nevertheless, before you get behind the wheel, you should read the whole guide to driving in Qatar with a foreign driver’s license or applying for a Qatar driver’s license.

How can visitors drive in Qatar?

A few countries allow visitors with visit visas, business visas, and tourist visas to drive in Qatar with conditions. These options depend on the duration of your stay:

Driving with another country’s license

On approved licenses from some countries, visitors can drive for a week. To verify the validity of your license, visit the Traffic Department at Madinat Khalifa. Qatar permits citizens of GCC countries to drive for an unlimited period with their GCC driving license. However, expatriates with GCC licenses can only drive for one week.

Temporary Driving License

Those who wish to drive more than a week can apply for a 3-month Temporary License. Licenses can be extended when they expire.

How do I apply for a temporary driving license in Qatar?

Within a week of your arrival in Qatar, you must submit the application form along with the following documents:

License from an approved country.
Original passport and copies.
3-color passport photo with white background. You must wear glasses while driving if you need them.
The fee for the card is QR 10, and for applying it is QR 150.

International Driving License

If you enter the country with a valid international driving license, you can use it for up to six months. The state of Qatar recognizes only driving licenses issued by your country of origin. This is also required if you wish to use an international driving permit.

How residents can drive in Qatar?

Qatar requires all citizens and expatriates to possess a full and valid Qatari driving license.

Getting a Qatar driving license

Eligibility- 18 years for light vehicles and 21 years for heavy vehicles.

Some expatriates (mostly blue-collar workers) are not eligible to apply for a driving license.

Fee- QR 500 valid for 10 years for residents; and QR 250 valid for 5 years for non-Qataris. There are additional fees for driving courses, tests, and vision exams.

Qatar Traffic Department

All licensing and traffic violations are handled by the traffic department of the Ministry of Interior. The Traffic Department is located on Khalifa Street in Madinat Khalifa, and it is open from 7 AM to 11 AM and 4 PM to 7 PM.

Traffic Violations

The Qatari government is committed to reducing traffic violations and road accidents. Traffic violations include:

Unregistered vehicle.
Driving without a valid license.
Mobile phone usage while driving.
Exceeding the speed limit.
Driving without a seatbelt.
Running red lights.
Driving on the wrong side of the road.
Allowing children under 10 to ride in the front seat.
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Not keeping a distance of at least 50 meters from emergency vehicles.
Not adjusting a vehicle’s load for safety.
More people are being transported in a vehicle than there are available seat belts for.
Obstructing taxi lanes or disabled parking spaces.
Running away from an accident.
Illegally parking.

Qatari traffic fines range from QR 300- to QR 6,000.

Driving without a license

Unlicensed driving is a criminal offense with harsh penalties for non-compliance. You may be imprisoned and deported if you are involved in a car accident. Be sure to plan and have a valid license at all times.

Traffic Points

For each offense, drivers may accumulate points. If a driver accumulates 14 points, their license is suspended.

Qatar prohibits driving for three months during the suspension period. In repeat cases, points thresholds are lowered, suspensions are longer, and in the end, driving privileges are permanently revoked.