Qatar - Convert or Exchange Foreign Driver License

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Procedure

Motorists are required to hold a valid driving license in order to drive in Qatar. New visitor and tourists may use an international driving permit for up to six months, after which they are required to obtain a Qatari driving license.

Some foreign driving licenses are recognized in Qatar, and can be converted into a valid Qatari driving license without any additional driving tests. First-time drivers should enroll in driving school ahead of time.

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

For those whose country are eligible for their driver’s license to be converted to Qatar driver’s license you can apply in person at the traffic department.

Apply In-Person:

1. Visit the Madinat Khalifa Traffic Department at Khalifa Street you can you use Goole map or their address provided below in office and address section.
   
2. You must fill out an application form, which must be typed in Arabic and signed by the sponsor. Translation typing services are available on site for a small fee. The form can be downloaded in advance, but needs to be filled out at the Traffic Department.
3. 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
     
4. Proceed to the reception at the traffic department office and present your application form with the required documents attached.
   
5. After verification, you will be required to do a vision test
   
6. Pay the appropriate fee for your license and additional fee may be required for the vision test. Pay fee using a pay card.
   
7. The license should be available for collection on the next working day, and is valid for five years. The vehicle entitlement will be the same as for the original license, but a separate license must be obtained for driving HGVs and buses.

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Required Documents

• Original license from one of the countries listed above
• A letter of no objection/permission from the sponsor, written in Arabic
• A copy of the trade license of the sponsoring company
• A copy of the sponsors ID
• Passport (original and copies)
• Three passport photos
• Qatar ID card

Office Locations & Contacts

Licensing Affairs Department - Head Office
General Directorate of Traffic
Ministry of Interior
Address: Doha, Qatar
Phone: +974 2367111
Phone: 2366666
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:MOI Website

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Eligibility

• Currently, drivers holding license from Very few countries (UK, France, South Korea, Romania, Hungary, Portugal, Malaysia,UAE, Turkey) are able to automatically convert to full Qatari license while some other countries can go directly to a road test (after passing a theoretical test): Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, San Marino, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, USA and Vatican City.
  

Fees

• QR500 for Qataris (ten years), apart from QR20 delivery fee (if applicable)
• QR250 for residents (five years), apart from QR20 delivery fee (if applicable)

Validity

Valid for 5 years for permanent licence

Documents to Use

Application for Driver License

Sample Documents

Please attach sample completed documents that would help other people.

Processing Time

One working day

Related Videos

Videos explaining the procedure or to fill the applications. 
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Please remove the "&" inside the tags during implementation.
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sevenload, viddler, vimeo, youku, youtube
width = 560, height = 340, Video ID = Can be obtained from the URL of webpage where the video is displayed.
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Instructions

Please provide other instructions related to the certificate/documents.
e.g. The state office holds birth records since january 1908.

Required Information

• Names of the applicant
• Passport or I.D. number
• Nationality
• Gender
• Driver license type
• Date of expiry

Need for the Document

A valid diver’s license is the only document that prove you are eligible to drive, driving in Qatar without a valid driver’s license recognised by Qatar government is a serious offence punishable by law and can lead to imprisonment.

Information which might help

A valid driving license is a legal requirement to drive in Qatar. The Traffic Department is the authorized authority for issuing driving licenses. Visitors can drive for a week (7 days from the date of their arrival in Qatar) using approved licenses from certain countries.To check the validity of your home country license, you can visit the Traffic Department at Madinat Khalifa.

But,for individuals planning to reside in Qatar for more than six months, it is necessary to apply for a temporary or permanent Qatari Driving License.For GCC residents, the Gulf license will remain valid for 3 months from date of arrival in the country. But, if you are a resident of Qatar, then you need to hold a Permanent Qatari License.

Other uses of the Document/Certificate

Please explain what are other uses of obtaining this document/certificate.
e.g. Birth Certificate can be used as proof of identity.

External Links

Hukoomi
Ministry of Interior
Online Qatar

Others

More information which might help people.