Costly Traffic Violations You Should Avoid

By Rithika Thomas - January 26, 2023

Traffic Violation

Qatar Traffic Violations

If you are a Qatar resident who already has a driver’s licence or is planning to get one, you might have an idea of the different, common traffic violations. Some of these would not dent your bank account, however, there are some that cost a hefty fine. Below is a list of the costly violations along with the penalty amount and demerit points associated with them.

But first, what is the Traffic Violation Point System?

Along with the penalty associated with the violation, Qatar traffic law has appointed a demerit points system to flag the drivers that could potentially pose a threat to others. These are also called black points which are added to the driver’s licence upon committing a serious traffic violation.

If the number of demerit points crosses a certain amount, the driver’s licence would be suspended or cancelled depending on the case.

Read the table below to understand the serious offences and their corresponding penalties and points:

NO.	Type of Violation	Fine Amt. (QR)	Demerit Points
1.	Exceeding the posted speed by 60km/h.	1000	4
2.	If the motorist does not move his vehicle to the nearest service road in case of an accident that did not involve any injuries while the vehicle can be moved (driveable) or if the motorist does not inform the police immediately.	1000	3
3.	Fixing of sign plates or advertisements or devices similar to the traffic signs or devices which lessen the clarity or the effect of the original signs by the traffic department or which may cause confusion to other road users.	1000	1
4.	Using any method to tint the glasses of the vehicle without permission from licensing authority.	1000	Nil
5.	Fixing or using horns, light systems, or devices similar to those prescribed only for police, civil defence, or ambulance vehicles without written permission from the licensing authority.	1000	1
6.	To drive a vehicle between sunset and sunrise on the road or when the vision is poor due to weather conditions during the daytime without considering the following lights: Should not have any red light in front of the vehicle. The white light in normal conditions and the yellow light in foggy situations are sufficient.	1000	Nil
7.	Not putting clear red signs on the sides of the load to alert others.	1000	1
8.	Making extensions on load boxes of transport vehicles and trucks to carry more than the dimensions and specifications by width, length or height.	1000	1
9.	Not writing down the gross weight and number of passengers on the body of the vehicle, that its load capacity (net weight) is 3 tons or more.	1000	1
10.	Reversing the vehicle on the main road except in an emergency or reversing the vehicle at intersections.	1500	3
11.	Driving a vehicle without renewing the driving licence.	1500	Nil
12.	Driving a vehicle on the road without renewing its licence (Istimara).	1500	Nil
13.	Driving a vehicle with a licence while it has been suspended on the basis of a legal or administrative decision.	1500	3
14.	Making unauthorised changes of colour or shape of the number plates or altering the details or loaning or exchanging it.	1500	3
15.	Putting the load on the vehicle without organizing, arranging and fixing it properly in a condition that will allow the loaded materials to move or fall while the vehicle is moving.	1500	1
16.	Not considering the following factors when the load is placed on the vehicle: ???To not endanger persons or to not cause any risk for public or private property. ???To not make noise or fly or leak anything that may affect public health or the environment or may harass pedestrians. ???To not obstruct the vision of the vehicle driver or to not hide automatic or manual traffic signals, side signs, vehicle lights, reflectors, or number plates. ???To not affect vehicle balance or not cause danger for driving.	1500	1
17.	If the drivers of transport vehicles (buses of all types) and trucks, goods vehicles, trailers or semi-trailers do not keep to the right side of the road or overtake the vehicles.	3000	1
18.	Driving a vehicle with a driving licence while it has been suspended on the basis of a legal or administrative decision.	3000	3
19.	Driving a non-registered vehicle.	3000	2
20.	Driving a vehicle without number plates.	3000	3
21.	To make changes in the use of the vehicle in any way or altering any major part in it that entails tampering with the registration particulars of the vehicle without written permission from licensing authority.	3000	3
22.	To use the vehicle for purposes other than what is mentioned in the vehicle licence or registration certificate or to allow somebody to do so.	3000	3
23.	Driving a vehicle that makes noisy sounds or dense fume or causing bad smoke or leaks inflammable materials or harms the public health or environment, damages the road or driving a vehicle without an appropriate silencer.	3000	3
24.	To drive tippers, earthmovers, bulldozers, etc., on roads not assigned for such vehicles.	3000	3
25.	Exceeding the height of a load on the vehicle or things appearing from the load for more than 4.2 meters from the road level without written permission from the concerned authority.	3000	1
26.	Exceeding width of the vehicle, including load or things appearing from it for more than 2.6 meters without written permission from concerned authority.	3000	1
27.	???To exceed the vehicle's gross weight on a single axle by 13 tons. ???To exceed the maximum permitted weight of the vehicle on a double axle without written permission from licensing authority. To exceed the gross weight of a vehicle than the permitted load limit without written permission from licensing authority.	3000	1
28.	Load extension to the front side of the vehicle for more than one meter or to the back side for more than 2 meters from the body without the licensing authority's written permission.	3000	1
29.	Not holding written permission from the licensing authority to transport materials which cannot be parted while its length will be more than permitted.	3000	1
30.	Car rental offices and companies or car selling and buying showrooms or car decoration shops, or car automobile workshops undertake their business before obtaining a trade licence from the licensing authority.	3000	Nil
31.	Setting up or running a driving school or conducting driving classes without permission from the licensing authority.	3000	Nil
32.	Driving the vehicle in the opposite direction.	6000	6
33.	If the driver of a vehicle parks the vehicle on the expressway in an undesignated area to reverse or turn to the left or to u-turn to drive it on the traffic island.	6000	3
34.	If the motorist does not abide by the automatic traffic signals (crossing red light).	6000	7
35.	If the motorist does not abide by the manual signals activated by the traffic police.	6000	7

The legal action that will be taken once certain points are accumulated are listed below:

NO.	Points Accumulated	Legal Action
1.	A total of 14 points for the first time	Licence suspended for 3 months
2.	A total of 12 points for the second time	Licence suspended for 6 months
3.	A total of 10 points for the third time	Licence suspended for 9 months
4.	A total of 8 points for the fourth time	Licence suspended for 1 year
5.	A total of 6 points for the fifth time	Licence cancelled

Demerit points will be removed automatically if:

The licence is cancelled according to the above-mentioned points system OR
The driver did not commit any other traffic violation within one year from the date of the last violation.

Keep in mind that certain traffic violations can land you in jail. For more information and to check your traffic violations, or to pay your fines, visit MOI or check the Metrash app.