If You Want a DRIVING LICENSE in Qatar, Be Ready to Take THIS Test

DRIVING LICENSE in Qatar

Last month Qatar Government tightened the requirements for driving license and it made it harder for numerous European and Australian expats to get the driving permit.

According to Doha news now these expats needs to take a driver's test or driving classes to get a license, while initially they just needed to show the license they held in their nations of origin and take an eye test. The change was in place from Jan. 1, however was not formally announced. 

Authorities from the British, French, Dutch, Australian and German embassies have confirmed that the guidelines for their nationals have changed. These residents are now required to clear a theory and practical driving test to fit the bill for a Qatar driving permit. 

The new guidelines just apply to individuals who don't yet have Qatar driver's licenses. Individuals who are applying for the renewal of their existing licenses don't appear to be affected. 

Reasons behind the amendments in the rule are not yet disclosed however, the move comes in the midst of a few different efforts aimed to decrease the number of drivers on Qatar's streets. Previously, GCC citizens were also able to exchange their licenses without a test in Qatar, and it stays unclear whether this new rule is applicable to them. 

Qatar's populace has dramatically increased in the previous 10 years, putting a strain on its infrastructure and bringing on peak time traffic congestions. Authorities have tried many ways to handle this issue. For instance, expats working in some 240 professions were barred by the government from getting licenses including pharmacy assistants, assistants to photographers, accounting technicians, sailors and skilled tradesman like plasterers and electricians.

A year ago, authorities announced that expats who held licenses issued in other GCC nations would no longer be able to exchange them in Qatar. 

Additionally, in 2016 nationals from numerous African and Asian nations were required to take driving lessons before sitting for a driver's test. 

These endeavors taken by the government have shown some effects according to the statistics released by the government lately. There were about 30 percent fewer new vehicles enlisted in Qatar in December 2016 than in December 2015, while the second-hand car market – were down a little more than 4 percent year-on-year.