Converting a foreign driving licence to a Qatar licence
Once your residence permit is issued you can no longer drive on a foreign or international licence (Art. 29; Karwa FAQ). Visitors may drive on a valid foreign licence but must present it to the Traffic Department within 15 days of entry for approval. Residents have three routes, depending on where the licence was issued.
Route 1. GCC licence: direct road test, no lessons
Holders of a valid licence from a GCC state can register with a driving school for a direct test: no theory course, no practical hours, straight to the road test. GCC citizens themselves may keep driving on their home licence and swap it for a Qatari one when it expires (Art. 29). An expired licence is not eligible. You fall back to a full or express course.
Route 2. Exchange with no test
Residents with a valid licence from certain countries can exchange it for a Qatar licence without a test at the Traffic Department in Madinat Khalifa. Reported eligible countries include EU states, the United Kingdom, Malaysia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, South Korea and Turkey. The MoI sets this list and can change it. Check before relying on it.
| Bring | Notes |
|---|---|
| Application form | In Arabic. Available at the Traffic Department |
| Valid foreign licence | Original; a translation may be requested |
| Passport and Qatar ID | Original and copies |
| Sponsor's QID / company trade licence | Copies |
| Eye test certificate | Approved clinic |
| Photos | Two colour passport-size |
| Fee | About QAR 250 at last check |
Route 3. Express course (all other countries)
If your licence is valid but not from a GCC or exchange country, driving schools offer an express course. It has roughly half the practical lessons of a beginner course, around 20 instead of 40. You then take the theory, parking and road tests. Bring your QID or passport with visa, eye test, valid home licence and photos.
Whichever route: know the Qatar-specific rules
Even experienced drivers fail the theory test on rules that differ from home: left-hand priority at roundabouts and uncontrolled junctions, the 20-metre reversing limit on highways, the 15-metre no-parking zone around junctions, children under 10 not allowed in the front seat, mandatory helmets for motorcycle passengers, and Qatar's black-points ladder. See the theory test guide and black points explained.
After conversion
A non-Qatari licence is valid for 5 years and must be renewed within 30 days of expiry; an eye test is needed for renewal of all but light-vehicle licences (Karwa FAQ). Keep your old licence. Some countries require it when you return.
Sources
Brush up before the test
Especially the priority rules. 480 questions, four languages, offline.
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