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It should be noted that after reviewing your inquiry and legal scrutiny we would like to inform you that

With a temporary license you can drive rental cars, although you may not be insured to drive a privately owned car (as this is decided by the insurance company, and they should be contacted for more details). On obtaining a residence permit, the temporary license can be converted into a permanent one. But, the permanent license will be given only if you possess a residence permit, and have five-year validity.

To apply for a temporary license:

• Fill in the requisite application form collected from the traffic department, and submit it with the following documents attached to the Traffic Department.
• Original license from an approved country
• Original and copies of your passport
• Three colour photos - passport size, white background. Kindly note that if you need to wear glasses while driving, you should be wearing it in the photos as well.

International Driving License (6 months validity)

If you have a valid international driving license, it can be used for up to six months from the date of your arrival in Qatar. Generally, temporary and international license holders are allowed to drive only rental vehicles, as insurance companies require that drivers of privately-owned vehicles possess a permanent driving license.

The International Driving License can be obtained from Qatar Automobile and Touring Club (Ph: +974 4441 5718) or few Travel Agencies. To do so, you will need to bring along the following:

• Valid Qatar Driving License
• Passport-size photos - 2 nos.
• Passport
• Process fee (varies)

Permanent Driving License

To apply for Permanent Driving License:

• Download the fill in the application form from the website https://portal.www.gov.qa/wps/portal
• Submit the form, along with the required documents therein to the Medinat Khalifa Traffic Department. The documents to be submitted are:
• Copy of your ID
• Three latest personal photographs
• Copies of passport and the employer’s ID (for residents, employers are required to sign the application form for the new license, specifying its type).
• Complete the required tests
• Pay the appropriate fee.

The fee for a new private vehicle driving license for Qataris is QR500 with a validity of 10 years, QR250 for non-Qataris with validity for 5 years.  Additional fee may be applicable for driving and vision tests.

Note: A vision test is mandatory for all applicants, and can be completed at the Traffic Department of Interior Ministry or through a private hospital, clinic or any licensed professional.

Requirements

For those visiting Qatar from western countries including the Canada and the UK for work purposes can just change their home country driving license for a Qatari one at the Medinat Khalifat Traffic Department, without taking a driving test.

The documents required to be produced are

• Passport or ID Card
• Original driving license
• Sponsor’s ID
• The sponsor need to sign a form and may have to provide a letter
• Three photos

Residents of other nationalities will have to undergo a driving test to obtain their local driving license. It is compulsory that these applicants have a residence permit so as to be able to apply for a Qatari driving license. In order to issue a local driving license, the usual procedure includes an eye test and a written test.

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