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
June 26, 2011 at 10:20 am
Hi,
Thankyou for such an valuable information.
Regards
June 26, 2011 at 6:21 pm
wonderful – thanks for sharing
July 4, 2011 at 8:50 am
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.
September 13, 2011 at 2:06 pm
but why does it says: “Not Valid in Qatar”?
September 13, 2011 at 2:16 pm
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
October 13, 2011 at 11:36 am
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…
December 25, 2011 at 1:34 pm
thanks so much for the info… its really a great help…
January 25, 2012 at 2:29 pm
Thanks a lot for the info!
February 16, 2012 at 8:20 pm
Is this recognized in the USA (State of Massachusetts)? Does it have the list of countries where you can drive?
February 25, 2012 at 1:21 pm
No, it doesn’t list countries where you can drive with. But it is recognized in all over the world
February 27, 2012 at 1:02 pm
Thank you for your information regarding obtaining International driving license because next week I will be going to the USA.
February 27, 2012 at 9:29 pm
You’re welcome Fabian. Good luck with your trip. Safe driving there!
March 3, 2012 at 5:57 pm
where is their location please?
March 17, 2012 at 11:02 pm
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
March 18, 2012 at 9:57 pm
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.
June 12, 2012 at 11:24 am
thanks for posting!great help!
June 12, 2012 at 8:34 pm
You’re welcome Allan…
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July 5, 2012 at 7:14 pm
I went to Al Muftah Rent a Car today, it cost me 250 QR for the licence. Am I ripped off?
July 8, 2012 at 6:52 pm
I don’t know if the price has risen but last time it was only QR100
July 6, 2012 at 8:43 am
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.
July 8, 2012 at 6:51 pm
Thanks Giang for clarification. Our Qatari driving license is indeed accecptable in most countries.
July 18, 2012 at 7:12 pm
is bahrain driving license is accepted in USA and to take USA DL need test or change of DL.
August 25, 2012 at 10:55 am
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.
February 5, 2013 at 3:50 pm
Thats a long stretch of road between those two landmarks,,,, could you be more acurate????
February 28, 2013 at 2:06 pm
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
September 25, 2012 at 11:16 am
tnk u dear friend
February 27, 2013 at 1:13 pm
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
April 4, 2013 at 2:40 pm
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.