The Demo Site

On your arrival to Qatar, you are permitted to drive in the country if you hold any valid driving licence for 7 days only (which includes your day of arrival). For those who expect to remain in Qatar for longer than 6 months, it is necessary to apply for either a temporary or Permanent Qatari driving licence. If you are a resident of the G.C.C. countries, your Gulf license will be valid for 3 months from the date of your arrival in the country. If you are a resident of Qatar you must have a Permanant Qatari License.

A temporary licence allows you to drive rental cars, however you may not be insured to drive a privately owned car - (this is at the discretion of the insurance company and they should be contacted to ensure coverage). Once you get your residence permit you can convert a temporary licence into a permanent license. A permanent licence, which you can get only if you have a residence permit, is valid for 5 years.

If you do not have a licence
If you do not hold a valid driving licence from any country you will have to enroll yourself into a driving school. Depending on your driving skills, you may be required to take a full course (25 classes) or a half course (12 classes). The duration and timings are usually flexible. The instructor will decide whether you're ready to take the test. They may also provide transport to pick and drop you.