Guides / Driving
Get a Qatar driving licence
Transfer your home licence if you can, or go through a driving school. Documents, tests and costs.
Last reviewed: 9 October 2026
- Time
- Days (transfer) to weeks (school)
- Cost
- ≈ QAR 400 transfer · ≈ QAR 4,000 school
- Where
- MOI Traffic / Licensing Affairs
There are two routes. If your licence is from a country on the MOI’s approved list and still valid, you may be able to transfer it. If not, you will go through a licensed driving school. Either way you end up with a 5-year licence.
Before you start
- Your valid QID
- Original home-country licence (must be in date)
- Eye test certificate from an approved optician
- Certified translation if your licence is not in Arabic or English
- Passport copy and photos
- No-objection letter from your sponsor, if asked
Step by step
Check the approved country list
Look up whether your country’s licence can be transferred on the MOI e-services portal or at Licensing Affairs before you collect documents. Since 2024 some GCC licence holders have also been asked to sit a road test.
Get an eye test
An approved optician will test you in a few minutes. It usually costs QAR 25–50.
Route A — transfer
Submit your documents to the Licensing Affairs Department (General Directorate of Traffic). If approved you pay the licence fee and receive a 5-year licence. Some applicants are asked to take a road test.
Route B — driving school
Register at a licensed driving school. Depending on your experience you’ll take a short course, a half course or a full course, followed by the signals and road tests.
Collect your licence
Once approved, pay the fee and collect it. Your traffic fines and renewals then appear in Metrash.
What it costs
| Eye test | QAR 25–50 |
| Licence fee (5 years) | QAR 250 |
| Translation | QAR 100–150 |
| Driving school (all-in, approx.) | QAR 3,800–4,300 |
| Temporary licence (3 months) | QAR 150 |
Official fees at the time of review. Fees change, so confirm before paying.
Common mistakes
- Letting your home licence expire — expired licences are not accepted for transfer.
- Paying for a full driving course before checking whether you qualify for a transfer.
- Driving on a home licence beyond what you are allowed as a resident.
Official sources
Always check the official source before acting. QatarSteps is independent and not a government website.