Qatar's black points system, explained
Every serious traffic offence adds "black points" to your driving record on top of the fine. Points are what suspend your licence. Paying the fine does not remove them. This is a frequent theory-test topic, and the numbers are fixed in law.
Suspension ladder (Art. 92)
| Occurrence | Points that trigger it | Suspension |
|---|---|---|
| 1st time | 14 | 3 months |
| 2nd time | 12 | 6 months |
| 3rd time | 10 | 9 months |
| 4th time | 8 | 1 year |
| 5th time | 6 | Permanent. A new licence is possible only after passing the test again and waiting at least one year. |
Notice the threshold drops each time: repeat offenders lose their licence for fewer points.
When points disappear (Art. 93)
Points are erased automatically when your licence is suspended under the ladder above, or when you go one full year without any new offence. A new offence restarts that year.
Points per offence (annex to the law)
| Offence | Points |
|---|---|
| Passing a red light or a police stop signal | 7 |
| Driving against traffic on highways or ring roads | 6 |
| Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs | 6 |
| Speeding more than 30 / 40 / 50 / 60 km/h over the limit | 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 |
| Reckless driving endangering people or property | 4 |
| Driving with defective or no brakes | 4 |
| Driving on a licence not valid for the vehicle, or a suspended licence | 3 |
| Driving an unlicensed vehicle, or with no / altered plates | 3 |
| Driving on the hard shoulder | 3 |
| U-turn, reversing or turning against the traffic direction | 3 |
| Heavy smoke, irritating noise, dangerous or falling loads | 3 |
| Parking in a bay for people with disabilities | 3 |
| Handing your vehicle to an unlicensed driver | 2 |
| Unclear or illegible plates | 2 |
| Refusing to show licence or permit to police | 1 |
| Ignoring road markings or traffic signs | 1 |
Fines and the 50% discount
Fines for most offences come from a conciliation table and can change by ministerial decision. Check the current amount in Metrash or on the MoI portal. The fixed fine is QAR 6,000 for running a red light, driving against traffic, or making a U-turn or left turn on a highway. The authority may waive up to half of a fine paid within 30 days (Art. 105). Unpaid fines block licence and registration renewal, add QAR 1 per day, and can trigger a travel ban (Art. 90).