How to get a Driving License in Qatar 2023

Hello! Welcome to Nima’s blog.

To get a driving license in Qatar, you must be a resident of Qatar and at least 18 years of age for a light vehicle or motorcycle license, or 21+ for a heavy vehicle license.

Specific professions are not eligible to get a Qatar driving license for Car & Heavy Vechiles. The Traffic Department justifies this as an approach to move and reduce traffic congestion on the roads. Hence, before applying for a driver’s license check if your profession allows you to obtain one.

  1. Meet the eligibility requirements. You must be at least 18 years old for a Light and Motor Bike License and for others, your age must be 21+.

    Eye Test is required from verified Centers for a license. You must also be physically and mentally fit to drive.
  2. Residency Requirement. You must have a valid Qatari residency permit (QID), or Valid Visa along with an original passport in case your Qatar ID has not been issued.
  3. Profession Requirement. Specific professions are not eligible to get a Qatar driving license. The Traffic Department justifies this as an approach to move and reduce traffic congestion on the roads. Hence, before applying for a driver’s license check if your profession allows you to obtain it or not.

    Mainly, Low skilled professionals such as labours, assistants, mechanics, etc .. kinds of professions are not allowed in Light and Heavy vehicles.

    But for Equipment (Shovels, Excavators, Forklifts) and Motor Bikes, any professionals are allowed to obtain a driving license.

    To check the proffesion eligiblity click here

    If you are under personal sponsors then any profession is allowed to have a Qatari Driving License.
  4. Choose Driving Schools or Traffic Department Headquarters If you own a driver’s license from another country (Western countries & GCC) then check whether your current driving license is valid for exchange or a direct test.

    The Direct test has no training course but you need to give a test for Signal & Road.

    For others, depending on which country the license was issued from, you may be eligible for a shorter training course- a Half course (20 classes practical + 5 Signal classes online ) or if beginner Full course (40 classes Practical + 5 Online Signal classes).

    List of Driving Schools:

    Dallah Driving Academy – Mesaimeer (Near Mesaimeer Cementry & Qatar Racing Club)
    Karwa Driving School – Mesaimeer
    Al Khebra Driving Academy – Al Mamoura
    Alijarah Driving Academy – Industrial Area 52
    Doha Driving Academy – Near Northgate Mall, Izghawa, Al Kharaitiyat
    Gulf Driving School – AL Thumama
    United Driving School – Wholesale Market
    Qatar Driving Learning – Aspire Zone
    Al-Hasba’a Driving School – Al Khor

    Types of Test
    Car: Signal, Road and Parking (L & P)
    Heavy: Signal, Parking and Road
    Equipment / Motor Bike: Signal & Final Test

    ** As per the Traffic rules there are only Two Road Attempts, if failed twice need to re-register again and the admission is valid of one years from the last test attempts.