As the mum of 3 little ones, how would I cope without being able to drive in Doha? Is the liscence hard to get out there?
Do you have to drive everywhere?! Public transoprt links available? Do people have drivers? If so, how much?
Its a second hand story, but last year my secretary took her test here, with about 30 other ladies. ALL the Qatari ladies passed - even after knocking over bollards etc - and just 50% of the others ladies were passed. I would love to see some stats on whether these are normal - perhaps even "target" percentages
Hey Mandi, you seem very knowledgeable on the runnings in Qatar. I have a driving test on August 1st at 4:30am i have read many tips here on ql but haven't read anything on ladies doing the exams in Ramadan. Is the test done with a male or female examiner? Will they be more stern or strict with ladies? I witnessed an examiner reprimanding a man that he failed this morning when i went to make the appointment. He insisted that the man should go to the driving school next door. I am scared that they will just fail me for no reason and insist that i attend driving school next door. Please any insight or uplifting tips. :-
Take ur driving lessons from Mowasalat Driving School in Industrial Area. If there is someone to take care of your kids.
The travel time to this place during peak hours is 2hrs (to & fro). They provide transportation (but not doorstep) from any of their office in Doha. They are really good. Don't rely on public transport cos they are not frequent and not many. If you are planning to move to Qatar, i recommend you to take a license and a car of your own.
I would agree with Mandi unless you can exchange your driver's license for a Qatari one, getting a license here is a very painful experience. Lots of lessons required from driving schools who are generally very disinterested in you or your calls. It takes a whole lot of patience to go through everything to get a driver's license in this really hot country and then some. With 3 young ones, you'd probably need to hit the ground running. Would suggest that you either book in one of the serviced apartments in Doha if you can afford it (cos they can call taxis for you) or rent a place right next to a shopping mall or a petrol station. Petrol stations in Doha tend to be in a square lined with shops where you can buy food or cooked food, pharmacies, small grocery shops, bakery or two etc. Bear in mind walking in this heat will dehydrate you fast, people drive crazy here most of the time and public transport is negligible to non-existent in some areas. If you rent a house in a compound and make friends fast with neighbours who drive, they might help out a bit with shopping expeditions while you get your bearings. Some compounds have reception staff who can help you out in getting taxis, laundry done and you can buy cooked meals at their cafe (not during daytime in Ramadan though.
If you have a UK license, you can exchange it for a Qatar drivers' license. If you do not have previous driving experience I would not suggest you begin in Qatar. You will need a car, there is virtually no public transportation in Doha. A driver will cost you approx 2400 QR/month.
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Its a second hand story, but last year my secretary took her test here, with about 30 other ladies. ALL the Qatari ladies passed - even after knocking over bollards etc - and just 50% of the others ladies were passed. I would love to see some stats on whether these are normal - perhaps even "target" percentages
Hey Mandi, you seem very knowledgeable on the runnings in Qatar. I have a driving test on August 1st at 4:30am i have read many tips here on ql but haven't read anything on ladies doing the exams in Ramadan. Is the test done with a male or female examiner? Will they be more stern or strict with ladies? I witnessed an examiner reprimanding a man that he failed this morning when i went to make the appointment. He insisted that the man should go to the driving school next door. I am scared that they will just fail me for no reason and insist that i attend driving school next door. Please any insight or uplifting tips. :-
Take ur driving lessons from Mowasalat Driving School in Industrial Area. If there is someone to take care of your kids.
The travel time to this place during peak hours is 2hrs (to & fro). They provide transportation (but not doorstep) from any of their office in Doha. They are really good. Don't rely on public transport cos they are not frequent and not many. If you are planning to move to Qatar, i recommend you to take a license and a car of your own.
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I would agree with Mandi unless you can exchange your driver's license for a Qatari one, getting a license here is a very painful experience. Lots of lessons required from driving schools who are generally very disinterested in you or your calls. It takes a whole lot of patience to go through everything to get a driver's license in this really hot country and then some. With 3 young ones, you'd probably need to hit the ground running. Would suggest that you either book in one of the serviced apartments in Doha if you can afford it (cos they can call taxis for you) or rent a place right next to a shopping mall or a petrol station. Petrol stations in Doha tend to be in a square lined with shops where you can buy food or cooked food, pharmacies, small grocery shops, bakery or two etc. Bear in mind walking in this heat will dehydrate you fast, people drive crazy here most of the time and public transport is negligible to non-existent in some areas. If you rent a house in a compound and make friends fast with neighbours who drive, they might help out a bit with shopping expeditions while you get your bearings. Some compounds have reception staff who can help you out in getting taxis, laundry done and you can buy cooked meals at their cafe (not during daytime in Ramadan though.
If you have a UK license, you can exchange it for a Qatar drivers' license. If you do not have previous driving experience I would not suggest you begin in Qatar. You will need a car, there is virtually no public transportation in Doha. A driver will cost you approx 2400 QR/month.
Mandi