Driving

Obtaining International Driving License in Qatar

51 Comments

UPDATE:

I’ve got another IDL for the second time; now directly from Qatar Automobiles & Touring Club (QATC). Unlike the previous one, the new IDL comes in a smaller size and more handy. The fee is 100QR and it takes only 5 minutes.  Requirements are still the same: Qatari Driving License & 2-passport size photos. I’m not sure about opening hours  but when I visited them on Saturday, 10:40am, they were open.

Location:

Opposite Doha Petrol Centre (petrol station) on C-Ring Road; between Gulf Cinema signal and Toyota Signal. QATC is located on the ground floor (end of corridor) of a building sharing with Aswan Trading & Contracting Co. If you pass QNB or Commercial Bank, you’ve driven too far. Taking parallel slip road is recommended.

Wikimapia Map

Coordinate: 25°15’51″N 51°32’45″E

New Qatar International Driving License
New Qatar International Driving License

QATC Building

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I just obtained an international driving license for the purpose of driving in a foreign country for this upcoming vacation. Obtaining one is not a hassle. While Qatar Automobiles & Touring Club (QATC) is the sole authority in Qatar to issue International Driving License, you can obtain the same from any major travel/car rental agents in Qatar (I read that it can be obtained at the following*: Al Muftah Rent A Car, Ali bin Ali Travel, Sulaiman Travel, Aamal Travel). *Note: Not an exhaustive list.

I obtained mine through Aamal Travel & Tourism in City Center. No specific reason except it is conveniently located at City Center (don’t tell me about the parking though:) ). I submitted a copy of Qatar driving license, two photographs (any color), and QR100. The license is ready the next day. Some said that it should have been ready within an hour.

The international driving license is valid for one year from the issuing date. the license contains information on personal identity, type of vehicle for which the license is issued, and driving license number.

International Driving License issued in Qatar

51 thoughts on “Obtaining International Driving License in Qatar”

  3. Thanks for this – I went yesterday (the hardest part was finding AAmal Services, as the map of City Centre doesn’t say it is outside!). I got my licence within a few hours.

    1. International Driving License (IDL) issued in Qatar is not valid in Qatar. IDL is not valid in the country it is issued. But if you have IDL issued by country other than Qatar than it is valid in Qatar as long as you don’t have Qatar RP (read: you are permanent resident of Qatar). It is legal requirement that once you have RP (and want to drive in Qatar) you need to secure Qatar Driving License

      3. Are you sire its One Year?

        Because I have read in multiple sources that an IDP is valid for use only for 6months in Qatar
        (even if the IDP validity is One Year)

      4. Sorry if i misunderstood. I thought the question was the validity of IDL obtained in Qatar.

      5. Sorry, my mistake 🙂
        The IDP obtained ‘from’ Qatar (or anywhere) is valid for one year (except in the country of issue) I believe.

  5. thanks for this… it’s such a great help. I was always worried how to get my IDL since I’m travelling to US 2 weeks from now… God Bless Y’all… 🙂

  8. Is this recognized in the USA (State of Massachusetts)? Does it have the list of countries where you can drive?

    1. No, it doesn’t list countries where you can drive with. But it is recognized in all over the world

  9. Thank you for your information regarding obtaining International driving license because next week I will be going to the USA.

  11. assalamualaikum
    mas mau nanya saya kebetulan lg d qatar dengan visa sbg visitor di bawah sponsor kakak ipar saya. yang ingin saya tanyakan apakah qatar meratifikasi convention on road traffic of 8 nov 1968 ato hanya meratifikasi konvensi yg 19 sep 1949 saja.. soalnya saya punya international motor traffic yg d keluarkan pemerintah kita indonesia yg nov 1968, sy udah nyoba ngurus eh,,malah d daftarin k driving school, padahal kan sy tidak punya RP, sy malah ikut tes, tp sayang gagal d tes parkingnya.. p

    1. waalaikumsalam.
      waduh mohon maaf saya kurang tahu mengenai convention dan ratifikasi. International Driving License dari Indonesia seharusnya diakui. Saya dulu juga punya IDL keluaran IMI. Mas Gea daftar buat dapat Qatari Driving License? aturannya memang harus ngambil kursus atau bisa aja langsung test kalo pede. Tapi Qatari Driving License hanya dikeluarkan setelah dapat RP.

  13. Pingback: Driving License Articles 1! |SA Learners License

    1. I don’t know if the price has risen but last time it was only QR100

  15. This is from http://www.usa.gov/Topics/Foreign-Visitors-Driving.shtml

    An International Driving Permit (IDP) translates information contained on your driver’s license into 10 languages so that officials in foreign countries are able to interpret your license. An IDP supplements a valid government-issued license–it does not serve as a replacement for a license. If you are stopped by law enforcement, you will most likely be asked to produce both your IDP and your official driver’s license. The United States does NOT issue International Driving Permits to foreign visitors, so you will need to obtain this document before traveling to the U.S.

    1. Thanks Giang for clarification. Our Qatari driving license is indeed accecptable in most countries.

  16. is bahrain driving license is accepted in USA and to take USA DL need test or change of DL.

  17. Hi,
    This post is very useful and acurate for those who are applying for International (Qatari) D/L.
    I would advise all to go directly to Qatar Automobile & Touring Club located at C Ring Rd (Between Gulf Cinema signal and Toyota signal). They carge only QR: 100 but other travel agents might charge upto 250 or more. You need to carry Qatar D/L and 2 PP size photos.

    2. thanks Shuaib….
      your information is accurate. i visited the QATC office in C ring road today….Got my INTL LICENCE in 10 min. paid QAR 100 only….

      your info was of great help…i am travelling to US in May …Insha Allah..

      regards

  19. Asslamu alaikum…thanks for the info brother.

    i will go to City center and contact Aamal travels…Insha Allah i will be travelling to US in May 13.
    thanks for your clear and nice guidelines..
    Jazakkallahu khairan..

    Nizam

  20. Thank you everybody here on valuable remarks and tips. After looking aroun´d, I found a little Automobile Club who did issue the license in 5 minutes for 150 QR only, asking for Qatari drivers licence an 2 Photos. When you go Salwa road in the direction of the Souq and drive over the bridge crossing B Ring Road , turn richt on the upcoming traffic light ! After turning it is the first building on the right hand side. IDL is valid for one year only . Cioa , C.

  21. Hi,

    Can anyone tell me if i can get an international licence in Qatar with a UK drivers licence or a temporary qatari licence? Thanks

  22. Thanks for this useful info. You can call Qatar Automobile and Touring Club
    Tel: +974 44413265
    Address: PO Box 18

    Qatar Automobiles & Touring Club (QATC) are located opposite the petrol station which is between Gulf Cinema signal and Toyota signal. They charge QR100.

  23. UPDATE:
    I’ve got another IDL for the second time; now directly from Qatar Automobiles & Touring Club (QATC). Unlike the previous one, the new IDL comes in a smaller size and more handy. The fee is 100QR and it takes only 5 minutes. Requirements are still the same: Qatari Driving License & 2-passport size photos. I’m not sure about opening hours but when I visited them on Saturday, 10:40am, they were open.

    Location:

    Opposite Doha Petrol Centre (petrol station) on C-Ring Road; between Gulf Cinema signal and Toyota Signal. QATC is located on the ground floor (end of corridor) of a building sharing with Aswan Trading & Contracting Co. If you pass QNB or Commercial Bank, you’ve driven too far. Taking parallel slip road is recommended.

    Coordinate: 25°15’51″N 51°32’45″E

  24. Thank you Wahyu. I was there today at the C Ring location, took only 5 minutes for 100QR just like you said 🙂

    Awesome post 🙂

  25. Thanks for the post, especially the picture. It was most helpful. Just went today (9 Jan, 2014). Got my Intl. driving permit in about 3 minutes for QR100.

  26. THANK YOU FOR THE VALUABLE INFORMATION.Can we transfer the IDL of Qatar to a U.A.E driving licence without test?

  30. Assalamualaikum

    Mas Wahyu, mau tanya nih, saya datang ke qatar dengan visa kerja, udah 1 1/2 bulan ini nungguin Qatar ID yang lg diurus perusahaan. Qatar ID ama RP sama kan yah? dan Paspor masih dalam proses di tempel visanya.

    saya rencana mau buat international driving license di Jakarta pakai biro yang nantinya dikirim lewat pos ke Qatar. yang mau saya tanyakan apakah kalau saya udah dapet IDL dari jakarta, apakah saya bisa langsung pake mobil ( rencana nyewa mobil punya temen di qatar) . tolong donk infonya Mas Wahyu , soalnya nunggu RP lama juga, dan saya males naik taksi karena nembak harga mulu.

  31. Hi,

    I have an IDP (International Driving PErmit) issued from India.
    The dates are from
    Issued: 22/4/2014
    Valid Upto: 21/04/2015

    Can I drive a car in Qatar with it?
    Do I need to get it translated to Arabic?
    Should I take it to QATC for any Formalities?
    Can I rent a car with the IDP?

    I am on a business visit visa.

    1. Yes you can use the IDP in Qatar. It’s always recommended to bring along your original driving license to complement the IDP. Regards.

  33. I have got original DL of qatar, as this info is great that iam planning to take the IDL from here, but i have a small doubt tat, iam planning to visit india – goa so for how long i can drive there the vehicle, is there any limited time frame to drive in India?

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