Al-Rayah Driving School/Facebook Photo for illustrative purposes only. Al-Rayah Driving School/Facebook Many European and Australian residents are finding it harder to get a driver’s license in Qatar after the government tightened requirements last month. These expats must now take a driver’s test and/or classes to get a license, according to several embassies that spoke to Doha News. Previously, they only had to present the license they held in their home countries and take an eye test. The change took effect on Jan. 1, but was not officially announced. Who’s affected However, officials from the British, French, Dutch, Australian and German embassies have confirmed to Doha News that the rules for their nationals have changed.
If you do not hold a valid driving license from your country of origin or home country, you will have to enrol yourself in a driving school in Qatar. Based on your driving skills, you may be required to take a full course (25 classes) or a half course (12 classes).
These residents are now required to pass a theory and practical driving test to qualify for a Qatar driving license. Gulf Driving School Photo for illustrative purposes only. Gulf Driving School A spokesperson from the British Embassy told Doha News that it was “liaising with local authorities to establish the reasons for the change.” She added: “We understand the new requirements apply to all nationalities previously able to exchange without a test, however license-holders should check with the Traffic Department.” In the past, GCC citizens were also able to exchange their licenses without a test in Qatar, and it remains unclear whether this new ruling applies to them.
The UAE Embassy has not yet responded to a request for comment. License restrictions Qatar’s population has more than doubled in the past 10 years, putting a strain on its infrastructure and causing traffic congestion at peak hours. Authorities have tackled this problem in a variety of ways. Muhammad Kamran Qureshi/Flickr Photo for illustrative purposes only. Muhammad Kamran Qureshi/Flickr For example, the government has barred expats from obtaining licenses.
These include pharmacy assistants, accounting technicians, photographer’s assistants, sailors and skilled tradesmen such as plasterers and electricians. And last year, that expats who held licenses issued in other GCC countries would no longer be able to directly exchange them in Qatar. Also in 2016, the government nationals from many African and Asian countries would now need to take driving lessons before sitting for a driver’s test.
For new residents of UAE, the rules, regulations and fees to get a driving licence can get confusing, especially as all Emirates have their own processes for this. Note: Contact at 8009090 for all your individual queries. This is only an informative guide.
Here are the various scenarios that expats usually face and what the procedures are for each. No Valid Licence If you are a beginner, you will need to register with a driving institute or school in Dubai and attend a minimum of 40 classes. You can then attempt the school's driving tests and the RTA final tests. The total cost to obtain a licence, given the applicant passes all tests in the first attempt, is approximately Dh5,500 (including all classes and tests; taken as an average from different schools and their fees).
Required documents - Emirates ID (Original and copy) - Passport (Photocopy of personal details and relevant visa page) - Passport size photographs (8 or more) - NOC (No Objection Certificate) from sponsor – Depends on individual cases, so call ahead and confirm - Eye test results for preferred category (Can be arranged by preferred driving school) For valid driving licence holders, the country from which your licence was issued and your citizenship determine the transfer of licence to a UAE licence. Transferred licences 32 countries are listed by the RTA for transferrable licenses in Dubai including GCC countries and other co-operative countries. Transfer fee and new driving file costs start at Dh360.
32 countries listed by RTA for transferrable licences Saudi Arabia Spain Switzerland Bahrain Germany Denmark Kuwait France United Kingdom Oman Ireland Poland Qatar Norway Romania South Africa Turkey Finland Canada Italy Portugal United States of America Sweden Cyprus Austria Australia Netherlands Belgium Greece South Korea Japan New Zealand.The ones in green (except Canada) require translation of the existing licence into Arabic and/or English by the relevant embassy or legally approved translation agents. Canadian licence holders need a letter from the Canadian Consulate in Dubai to prove that the licence is genuine. For transfer of licence, there are two scenarios; Exempt country: Licence and Citizenship If you are a citizen of one of the above countries, and also have a licence from one of these countries (same or different), the process is very simple. For example, if you are a Japanese citizen with a valid Japanese driving licence or a Japanese citizen with a Saudi driving licence, you can go straight to RTA and get your UAE licence in less than 20 minutes if all your required documents are in order. Required documents - Passport copy and original - Residence visa copy - Original licence and copy - Translation or consulate letter as required - Passport photos - Eye test certificate (from DHA approved test centres only) - No objection letter from sponsor (Call 8009090 to confirm if there are other documents required for your individual licence) Different country: Licence vs. Citizenship If you are not a citizen of one of the above countries but have a valid licence from a country from the list; for example, if you are an Indian citizen with a valid driving licence issued in Saudi Arabia, you need to register with a school for your licence procedures.
Enrol in a driving school in Dubai and register for the RTA test procedures. Carry your required documents with you and you can directly schedule an appointment for your RTA tests. Combined with the school’s registration fees and the RTA fees, the total cost can come up to Dh2,200. This may differ based on your preferred institute. If you fail your final test, you will have to attend a minimum of eight classes to retake the test.
Required documents - Original licence and copy - Passport copy with relevant visa page copy - Emirates ID original and copy - NOC (No Objection Certificate) from sponsor – Depends on individual cases, so call ahead and confirm - Passport size photos (8 or more) - Eye test results for preferred category (Can be arranged by preferred driving school) Licence from countries not included in RTA list If you have a licence from a country not included in the list, it cannot be transferred to a UAE licence. However, depending on the validity of your existing licence, the number of classes you are required to take will differ. If your existing home-country licence has been valid for a period of more than five years, you can get your UAE licence after completing a minimum of 20 classes before your tests. If your licence has been valid for two to five years, the minimum required is 30 classes, while licences which have been valid for less than two years require you to take a minimum of 40 classes. Required documents - Existing licence and copy - Emirates ID (Original and copy) - Passport (Photocopy of personal details and relevant visa page) - Passport size photographs (8 or more) - NOC (No Objection Certificate) from sponsor – Depends on individual cases, so call ahead and confirm - Eye test results for preferred category (Can be arranged by preferred driving school) The fees depend on your preferred institute and the validity of your license.This guide pertains to Dubai only.