Just got a nearmiss two days ago. Eyes on the road, hard braking and safe following distance saved me from otherwise a potential car accident of hitting a car in front of mine. Spaced nearly by one meter. Fortunately the guy at the back swerved his car to the right and I was relieved from being rear ended. It seems that one driver took an abrupt change and the following drivers had to apply sudden brake. I’ve seen many accidents of this type during my almost 7 years in Qatar (good examples could be those happened many times on a Al Gharafa Flyover). Really, I can emphasize enough the importance of safe following distance. The distances vary depending on what speed you are travelling, what conditions you are driving in and what type of vehicle you are driving. In most cases, a safe following distance is much greater than a car length. In general a driver in a car should drive at least two seconds behind the vehicle in front in ideal conditions. In poor conditions (dust, fog, rain) the distances should be increased. The thing here in Qatar is if you give a (two-second) space it is highly likely that somebody will fill in the spot. But for the sake of your own safety, ignore it and make another two-second space.
Category Archives: Driving
Even one is too many
I received sad news on my BBM group when I was about to go to a bed. One fellow Indonesian killed in a tragic car accident in a road stretch between Umm Birka R/A (commonly known as Fish R/A) and Qatargas R/A. Along with him is two other victims (Qatari nationals). They happen to be from the same section in one of the energy companies in Ras Laffan. The Indonesian was on the way home in Doha from his dayshift while the other two are on the way to Ras Laffan (Note: confirmation required)
Innalillahi wa innailaihi rojiun. My thoughts and prayers are with them and their bereaved family during this difficult time of grief and may the departed souls rest peacefully in God’s grace.
The road is basically a continuation road of Route 77 Ras Laffan Highway, a 12-km stretch of one-lane two-way poor and narrow road without lighting at night. Linking Ras Laffan to Al Shamal Road, the road is a favorite to Ras Laffaners. I occassionaly used the road during my rare self-driving commuting to Ras Laffan (most of the time I use bus) and I can tell you how at risk I am driving down the road. The road users must navigate rough road, with patchy asphalted road, share with slow-moving truck, and heavy traffic.
The road has claimed many lives. I can only urge authority to look into this road more seriously because….
Even one (death) is too many.
In a split second a traffic accident like this transforms forever the life of a family. Behind each statistic, there are fathers and mothers, sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, colleagues, classmates and friends. I think we all become too desensitized to road statistics and develop a sense of invulnerability, thinking road crashes happen only to others
I can only take deep breath, thinking of my family who is currently away. I promise myself to drive safely, to question the need of every trip, to obey traffic rules, to wear seatbelt, to not use phone or engaged in other distractions, to keep speed appropriate with road conditions, to allow 2-4 seconds safe distance, to not drive fatigued, to take rest breaks, to let other road users aware of my position and to keep vigilant of other road users action.
I will always drive safely, for me and utmostly for my family. This is a promise I make not to be broken.
Car Inspection in Al Wakrah
Today, I took my Outlander for inspection for annual istimarah renewal. Unlike before, this time I chose FAHES vehicle inspection point in Al Wakrah. No specific reason except that the inspection point is easy to find, and the inspection itself is well-known for its quickness.
The site is located at ground in front of Hamza bin Abdulmotaleb Mosque (a grand mosque you’ll see on your right when driving from Doha to Messaied on Wakrah – Messaied main road). The mosque is about 300m south of the famous Pearl Roundabout.
Knowing from other’s experience that inspection line can be long during Saturday morning, I made myself hit the road at 5.35am from home. Arrived there at 6.05am, you know what, I was already on the 21st spot, the best I can get. Not long after, line after me quickly filled up. By 7.05am when the inspection started, the queue was probably around 40 cars. (Note: some said that inspection during weekday or Saturday afternoon may be less crowded).
And yes, I had to wait for about an hour before the inspection started. Fortunately I came prepared with hot tea to beat cold winter, newspaper and Android tablet to kill the time, and a pack of snack – fearing that inspection is gonna take so long.
Snaking around the entrance, car-by-car was inspected very quickly. It took less than 5 minute per car to be inspected, which includes technical and legal checks. Prior to go to inspection bay, car owner must register his/her car in registration office (brown building), just next to inspection bay (blue building). Inspection fee is QR75 cash only.
Finished with inspection, I went to registration office to get inspection result. My car failed in Tint/Film on Windshield Film a part of Legal Requirements. No worry though as I could seek waiver from a standby Police Officer, who don’t bother to check my car windshields. By 7.40am all was done. The rest is a formality for istimarah renewal with insurance and Traffic Dept.
25°10’26″N 51°36’21″E (click link to take you to Wikimapia)
Obtaining International Driving License in Qatar
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
——
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.
So I don’t need a company letter then ya?
Good move! Thanks! But I already have my driving license though 🙂
To be honest I just don’t like to obtain a company letter for any personal business like i.e. driving license application, buying a car. It seems to me that company is too intervening into personal life. Additionally I am feeling a bit of being scrutinized on personal businesses – why must company bother with I am buying a car?
I believe that more and more types of those practices will be abandoned as Qatar is under the spotlight now.
Next? Exit permit, then no NOC to move to another company….finger crossed 🙂
——
Driving licence rules to be eased
SANTHOSH CHANDRANDOHA
THERE is some good news for people seeking driving licence in Qatar.
The Traffic Department at the Ministry of Interior (MoI) is likely to relax the rules currently needed to apply for a driving licence.
At present, people seeking a driving licence need to go through a lengthy process.
They are required to provide a letter from the employer and a copy of sponsor’s Company Registration, among other documents, to their respective driving centres to apply for a licence.
However, the new rules would require the individual to furnish only the personal ID card and an eye-test certificate.
The Traffic Department is likely to announce the relaxation of rule this month.
According to a high-ranking official at Mowasalat’s Karwa Transportation Training & Development Centre (KTTDC), a large number of people have started enrolling their names in anticipation to the relaxation of the licence rule.
“The new regulation to apply for a driving licence will be announced shortly.
Anyone carrying a resident permit in the country will be allowed to enroll in the driving schools to learn driving,” he said.
“Earlier, one had to furnish documents such as letter from employer, copy of sponsor’s Company Registration (RC), along with other personal IDs to apply for a driving licence.
If the new rule comes into effect, it will become much easier for people who have difficulty in getting documents from their sponsors.
We are now waiting for a final confirmation from the MoI,” the source added.
Welcoming the possible change in rules, Rafeekh Ahamed, an Indian expatriate said, “Getting documents from employers, which is required to apply for a driving licence, is not easy at all.” Meanwhile, some people have already received messages from driving schools like AlKebra DS on the new application rule.
The message read, “No need of sponsor’s letter for driving licence.
Enroll your name with ID card, eye-test certificate and five photographs.” A Mowasalat official said that over 250 people had approached KTTDC on Wednesday to enroll their names.
Source: Qatar Tribune, 12 May 2011
Transfer of Vehicle Ownership
Just today I sold my car and completed the necessary procedure for transfer of vehicle ownership. The process is straightforward. Here is how.
From Hukoomi (Qatar E-Government):
When a vehicle is sold from one owner to another, the buyer and seller are required to complete the transfer of ownership. The procedure allows the buyer to become the new registered owner.
Follow these steps to transfer the ownership of a vehicle:
- Print and fill out the application form.
- Bring original vehicle registration, along with copies of ID from both seller and buyer.
- Supply insurance document under the buyer’s name.
- Produce a no objection letter from the seller, if he/she is not present.
- Submit all required documents to the Ministry of Interior’s Traffic Department.
- Pay appropriate fee.
Now let’s see how it is in practice.
Secured a deal with the potential buyer, I and the buyer went to nearest Traffic Police Station. We went to Al Khor Traffic Police as both of us working in Ras Laffan. We asked a typist at portacabin to complete the required application form. We presented to him: original vehicle registration and IDs. He asked us our mobile numbers to put into the application form. 10QR for this typing service.
We went then to traffic police office, presented her the application form, original istimarah and copies of ID. It turned out that we needed to also supply an insurance paper associated with the vehicle.That’s what worried me. I totally remember that when I renewed the istimarah, Al Khaleeji Insurance man at the satellite office in Rayyan Traffic Police didnot give me the paper. Sh**. I regretted my stupidity to accept his words that insurance paper was not required because it is clearly mentioned at the back of istimarah. It won’t cause you a problem, unless you need to sell the car.
We inquire the matter to Al Khaleeji officer at the same portacabin only to be advised that we needed to go to its main office in Grand Hamad St. in Doha. His satellite office is not online (connected to main office). Aaaargh…
The same day on the evening, I went to Al Khaleeji satellite office in Rayyan Traffic Police. Just in case. The answer: no different. Okay. Now time to vent my exacerbation. I had a talk with the same old man; warned him that he and his insurance couldn’t just be simply not giving a copy to its customer since it causes headache when it comes to transfer. I can say this because the other insurance always gives the copy (Note: I took Islamic Insurance for my Mitsubishi and I had the copy). A new list added to my [you know that].
And then there was another twist. Seeing I came with the application form in copy not original, the man insisted me to make a new application using original as he said the traffic office may not accept a copy of application form. I convinced him that I just came from Al Khor Traffic and the form was provided by the typist, and it was okay except the missing insurance paper. “Paper that you didn’t give me last time….” I told him, again. May be he is right that Rayyan Office does not accept application form in copy, but the fact that he is working in a silo and doesn’t listen to me only justify my plan not to use his insurance in the future. Inuf!
Lesson Learned: Do make sure that you get a copy of insurance paper!
The following morning I went to Al Khaleeji Insurance Main Office, at Grand Hamad St, just beside Mashraf Al Rayyan. Fortunately it went very smooth. No queue, and no fee – contrary to what I have read. Feel bad for this good service due to the poor old man in the insurance’s satellite office in Rayyan. What to do…I am just a customer, and I have the right to choose 🙂
With the insurance paper completed, I went back to Al Khor Traffic Police (on the way back to work at Ras Laffan). And it also went very smooth. The – probably- same lady received my application and processed swiftly. Within minutes after I paid 100QR fee by card, the new istimarah is ready. Well done.
You may have heard that for buying a vehicle, an NOC from company is required. In our transfer case, my car buyer was never asked such document. Some people said that if you are working for Q company no NOC is required, but this was also not true as I was asked in Rayyan Office to provide the document (about 14months ago when I bought this car). E-Hukoomi doesn’t specify an NOC requirement although a poster in Al Khor Traffic Police Office does say so.
Testing the luck: 3 year-old car registration renewal
It seems exaggerated 🙂 but in fact it is true somewhat.
Per Qatari laws, vehicle older than 3 years is to pass yearly technical inspection for renewal of car registration. The thing is on the 3 years old definition. Is it from manufacturing date? from the first car registration? or from year model? Majority says it’s from year model. So if you bought a 2010 model car in Nov 2009 and first registered it on December 2009 it is as if you save one year for “no technical inspection”. But again it’s only personal opinion.
Take for an example my case. My car registration is due on 1 February 2011. My car was manufactured on July 2008. It is 2008 model but it’s first registered on 1st February 2009. Shall I need to go for technical inspection first prior to renew the car registration?
I googled the matter and found formal explanation from E-Hukoomi (which is an excellent e-government service of Qatar). This is how it’s explained:
Vehicle owners are required to renew their vehicle registrations every year. Applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Clear all traffic fines.
- Pass yearly technical inspection (for vehicles older than three years).
- Renew vehicle insurance
I then asked my friend who have done similar matter. And I’ve got various responses. Some said their car doesn’t need to go for inspection. Some said theirs does. Some said it depends on your luck? Luck?
Luck does play a part here, sometimes. The problem is no body can even control it. What works for someone doesn’t mean work for you.
I went to “A” Traffic Police for renewal. First thing is to go to Insurance Booth. Pay 620 QR (600 QR for 4×4 6 cylinders third party liability insurance, and 20QR for fee). Then I went to Registration/License counter. The friendly staff lady with her mafi-English tried to convey messages that I need to bring inspection report first. I – with my mafi-Arabic – tried to convince that my car is first registered in 2009 and that this is the second renewal. But the lady refused me with smile.
Consulted with some of my friends, many suggested me to go to B Traffic Police ( just another traffic police office) because they said it is easier there. So here I go. I went there just after Maghrib prayer (the office stays open till night). I went directly to counter and handed in old car registration and copy of insurance. With no conversation what so ever other than assalamualaikum.
“Bank card!”
Now I know this is gonna work!
And yes, the staff lady asked me to key in pin number for my ATM…. then khalas. Wait for about 5 minutes and I had with me a new car registration. No question. No inspection report required. Just luck!
And for 3 years old car definition, I have no answer until now. Care to help me?
Disclaimer:
It is not my intention to look for a bypass for compliance to the law. At the end of the day, technical inspection is only QR75 cost and I am definitely sure that my car will pass due to its new condition. Therefore it is also not my intention to encourage you to ‘go around’ the system, or to go to particular traffic police for ” a luck”. I wish I knew the exact definition. It’s probably left to staff interpretation I guess?
Where to Buy Spareparts & to Service Jeep Cherokee
Spareparts:
– Original (Company) – Jeep United Cars Al Mana, Industrial Area St.23 (corner of St 23 & East Industrial Street). Coordinate: 25 12’11.31″N 51 26’49.22″E.
– Aftermarket/Third Party:
- Salamco Trading, Qatari bin Al Fujaah St., Fereej bin Mahmoud. Phone: 4426706
Open: Sat-Thu = 08:00 – 12:00, Sat-Fri = 15:00 – 18:30. Coordinate: 25 16’53.38″N 51 31’02.41″E. Driving Directions: Coming from Ramada to Jaidah Flyover (don’t take flyover), make U-turn on the Jaidah Roundabout, keep right, then turn right at the first opportunity, follow the road until trafic-lighted intersection, turn right. Follow the road with full of garages/auto shop. Salamco is on your left. - Al Faris, Al Khaleej St. Opposite Jaidah Chevrolet showroom. Telp: 44428010. Coordinate: 25 16’46.29″N 51 31’09.02″E. Driving Directions: Coming from Ramada to Jaidah Flyover (don’t take flyover), make a left turn on the Jaidah Roundabout, keep right, then look for parking spots. Al Faris is just on the corner of Jaidah Roundabout.
- Al Faris, Al Gharafa. Across diagonally to Landmark Mall. Telp: 44791900. Coordinate: 25 19’48.31″N 51 27’51.23″E. Driving Directions: Driving to the west passing/in front of Landmark Mall, continue crossing traffic-lighted intersection under Al Shamal Road, then keep left . Make a U-turn at the next traffic-lighted intersection. Keep right, take a slip road to the right. Follow the road until it is parallel to Al Shamal. The shop – along with other auto shops – is on your right, just beside Dubai Wheel.
Service:
1. American Tech Center. Barwa Village, Wakrah, Building 18 (the most rear-left building). Contact: Ahmed (Mobile: 55520678). Coordinate: 25°12’34.12″N 51°34’30.89″E. Driving Directions: drive Old Airport Road towards Wakrah, passing D-Ring Road intersection then E-RIng Road. Pass Petrol Station. 1.5 km from petrol station turn right. You can see a building complex. The building is on the rear-left most of the complex.
Major Faults: A Story about Car Inspection
Technical Evaluation: Failed. Major Fault. Legal Requirements: Failed. Major Fault.
Oh my God. Couldn’t believe that my car failed in an inspection for car registration (istimarah) renewal. And I skimmed through the 2-page inspection report: paint scratch, paint faded in legal requirements and rear brake weak, turning signal not sufficient brightness, engine noisy in technical evaluation. Hmmm a lot needs to be done.
Law in Qatar requires vehicles to be inspected if they are older than 3 years old. This shall happen at the same time as istimarah expiry date. The law also requires that car owner to ensure that his vehicle passes an inspection, has his car insurance renewed, in order to renew his car istimarah. Good news is you will have a month from expiry date for renewal before a penalty is imposed.
Inspection is done by “Woqod for Vehicle Inspection (FAHES)”.
Now let’s me describe how I went through inspection, re-inspection process.
0. Prepare your car for inspection: technically and legally. See below. Also It is suggested that you ensure your car is clean, jack-washed before heading to car inspection location.
1. First, you need to locate where you want to bring your car for inspection. There are several places: in Wakrah, in Al Khor, in Industrial Area, and in Abu Hamour area. See bottom page for locations.
2. Know the timing. Majority is open from 7 to 5pm but individual inspection place might have different timing. For example in Al Khor, Saturday, Sunday, Monday is reserved for light vehicle, and Tuesday to Thursday for heavy vehicles. Friday is a holiday. Also you need to bear in mind that although they are closed at 5pm registration may stop earlier.
3. Plan your inspection schedule. Get there early in the morning for short queue or later in the afternoon. But I can’t give you a hint what time is the best. Just try your luck. Typically in weekend is more crowded than in weekdays.
I am not sure if prior booking does work for this technical inspection. Never tried. Tell me if it does.
4. Prepare your energy. If you are lucky enough you may need to wait for less than an hour. But in many cases you need to wait much longer. My case for example I need to wait up more than 3 hours before I am being served. Pack enough drink or light meal. Seriously.
5. Have yourself – in a car – in a queue. And by the way, bring your car istimarah. Inspection can be delegated however.
6. An inspection staff will approach you as you get nearer to inspection gate/lane for registration. He will give you a queue number slip
7. Leave your car, go to Registration Office. Prepare to pay 75QR – cash. You will get two slips, one for customer, one for inspection staff.
8. Back to queue, ready for directed to inspection lane. Most places have only one inspection bay, making inspection quite time wasting. In average one car requires 10-15 minutes.
9. When it’s your turn, drive to inspection bay. Present inspection slip to the inspection staff. You will be asked to: turn on wiper, headlights, turning light (front and rear), brake light, reverse light Legal requirements items will be inspected: paint, tinted window, stickers, tires, spare tire, fire extinguisher, body condition, car plate condition, seat belt, etc. The staff will drag a light test console: measure your car light brightness and appropriate height level of headlight beam. You will need to open car hood: check for engine noise, battery condition, overall engine condition. The staff will affix emission probe to your car exhaust for emission test. Then your car will be driven by the staff to a steel ramp to test you car brake system.
I heard that inspection in Abu Hamour is more sophisticated than in other locations.
10. You will be asked to go to Registration Office to obtain inspection result. Prepare for heart attack, no kidding.
11. Here is the clue and quite common unwritten practice. It is technical evaluation that matters. So if you have failed in meeting legal requirement you can have ‘approval’ from the captain (or police) in the inspection location (note that the police is not available all the time. In Al Khor for example he is not available on Saturday) provided that it is minor or not due to an accident. With his signature and stamp you can proceed with istimarah renewal provided that you pass technical evaluation.
12. Re-inspection. Suppose you failed in technical evaluation. At the back of payment/registration slip you will read that:
a. This report is valid for 30 days to complete the procedure for the traffic department
b. If a vehicle fails (Technical) during paid inspection it can undergo one free of charge re-inspection within 30 days
c. For re-inspection purpose please bring your inspection report.
d. If a vehicle does not pass the inspections within 30 days from the first inspection the vehicle has to undergo a full new inspection
e. For re-inspection purpose do not use sealant on the repaired parts
f. Defective parts under the chassis and tires will be marked with yellow paint. The leakages will not be marked with paint
g. For re-inspection of the brake system a full brake test will be carried out
h. For re-inspection of emission, the exhaust system will be checked for any leakage and for (black, blue white) smoke
i.
j. We strongly advise you to have any fault repaired by qualified mechanics in accordance with the recommendations of vehicle manufacturers.
k.l.m. Disclaimers
For re-inspection, follow the same process, bring previous inspection report. The inspection staff will only inspect failed items.
As for my car, I bring my Cherokee to American Tech Center, present the mechanics with the inspection reports and come back three days later to collect my car with Technical inspection passed! (This American Tech Center offers services for taking your car to Tech Inspection – so that you don’t waste your time)
As for legal requirements, I bring the re-inspection report (with Technical Evaluation Passed) to Police in Al Khor Inspection [no need to queue; just show your report and drive your car close to Police office] and have him to ‘waive’ and approve legal requirements. “Paint OK?” he asked. “Yes, as you can see”. He signed the paper, and took a stamp from his pocket. Stamped!
Now with this all technical evaluation and legal requirements passed, I bring the inspection report and renewed insurance to Traffice Office for istimarah renewal. Done!
Inspection Location:
1. Abu Hamour. Access through the road opposite Medical Commission. Near storage tank farm. Coordinate: 25°14’2″N 51°30’51″E. Open everyday except Friday, from 07.00-12.00 and 12.30 – 16.00.
2. Wakrah. Coordinate: 25°10’25.89″N 51°36’21.76″E. From Doha, pass second roundabout , look for big mosque on the right side. Inspection is in front of the mosque
3. Al Khor. Coordinate: 25°14’20.13″N 51°29’43.47″E. Behind Al Khor Fire Station (Green-yellowish building). Open everyday except Friday from 7am to 5.30pm. Saturday to Monday for light vehicle. Tuesday to Thursday for heavy vehicle. Police is not available on Saturday.
4. Industrial Area. Open from 6.00am to 5.30pm
Check maps at http://www.fahes.com
Lost Qatar ID & Driving License? Here is next
UPDATE:
A reader shared his latest experiences and I copy paste his story below.
I would like to share also regarding this matter. Nowadays they make more simple for replacement of missing ID card. I lost mine last week.
~First of all you need non objection letter from your sponsor to replace your ID with new one. I went there to Immigration Dept and inquired what is the requirement.
~Police report is not required,I went there also and they said no need,straight away to Immigration Dept.
~Go to Immigration Dept Madinat Khalifa,gate number two anyway the security there will tell you.
~Once you enter gate number 2 go straight then enter separate room on your right side there are 2 Staffs, give your paper to the right side man (Noc from your sponsor,copy of your RP in passport and original pasport). He will give you an application form you have to sign only no need to fill anything. Then take the queu number from the left side man.
~Take your number and wait for your turn on counter “L”
~Submit your paper and you need to pay 200 Riyal for your new card plus 10 Riyal, I believe for application paper.You will get your new card less than an hour. They will ask your credit card for all payment
–original post–
You won’t expect it to happen but when it happened it happened. I lost both my Qatar ID and Driving License. Here is next steps based on my experiences. It may not be exactly the same steps as you will go through.
– Replacement of Lost Qatar ID
- If you lost the ID abroad, Obtain lost report/police report from any Police Station where you lost your ID.
- Have a letter from your company (a kind of NOC with additional info on request for replacement). It is in Arabic so I am not sure what is written there. Your company immigration officer knows how to do it.
- Go to the nearest Police Station and look for Lost & Found Section. Ask for Lost Report. Bring along company letter and if applicable, lost report from Police Station where the ID was lost. In my case, I went to Al Khor North Security. I asked the lady there for Police Lost Report and handed her a company letter, supporting lost report, and copy of ID. I paid 12 QR (cost for 2 @5QR stamp; not sure what’s the case for additional 2 QR)
- With the lost report, go to Immigration Office. Get a replacement ID for QR200 through credit card/debit card
– Replacement of Driving License
- This is my personal experience and may not be generalized.
- I went to Traffic Police in Rayyan (near Aspire). Ask the officer for replacement. The lady – knowing that I work for Qatargas (part of Q Company) – did not require a company letter or lost report.
- The lady gave me a letter with Return Date (two weeks from the day of report). I believe this is to give enough time if somebody by chance found my license.
- On the return date I went to the same Traffic Police and ask for replacement by handing her the letter, copy of my license and my ID. [If you return before the day you will find yourself waste your time, as the system has locked this return date to your driving license issuance. I tested it]
- The license is ready within minutes for QR250 by credit card/debit card
Anybody got different experience?
Lesson Learned: It is always a good idea to scan your ID, license, car registration, and print them some! Just in case!
Reference:
In Qatarliving, a QLer writes different steps though they are almost the same:
If your Qatar ID is lost,
1) Go to capital police station in crazy signal. Fill out lost ID form, Pay 10 QAR with either credit car or e-cash (no cash accepted). They will give you a report in 5 mins.
2)Go to immigration department in Madinat Khalifa (you may check exact location on maps.google.com by writing immigration department on the search box)
3)When you enter the immigration department, go to portacabins first and ask typewriter to write your application for you. (3 QAR cash. Typewriter doesn’t accept ATM, credit car etc. 🙂 )
4)Bring this application to your company, you need company stamp on the application and sponsor’s signature (sometimes, immigration can give your ID without sponsor’s signature too. But stamp is necessary)
5)Bring the police report you got in 1st step, application form to same immigration department.
6) Enter the door,number 1 and inside go directly to counter 2. No need to get number for queue.
7)Pay 200 Qar with Credit card or e-cash. Your ID will be ready in 10 mins.
A friend of mine reported that police officer in Madinat Khalifa told him that we should report the case to any branch offices not main office in Madinat Khalifa. He was also told to bring a company letter and 1 passport-sized photograph.
CGK-DOH 