Number of learners at driving schools drops unusually during winter

Getting a driving license in Qatar is no easy task. You have to wait in queue for several months to just be able to get into a driving school. And winters are usually preferred season for new learners.

However, this winter seems to be different, with some driving schools reporting ‘unusual decrease’ in number of learners since November.

An instructor with one of Qatar’s biggest driving schools, speaking to Gulf Times, said they were seeing ‘several gaps’ in their training schedule. The number of new entrants has decreased notably since the end of Eid al-Fitr holidays.

“We’re more relaxed now and we’ve a lot of breaks. You’ll see that at least 60% of our cars are parked here at the training venue the whole day,” the instructor was quoted as saying.

This trend is unusual and there is usually a long waiting list while applying for light vehicle licenses.

The instructor felt that the low passing rate, around 3% of the 70 candidates who appear for a test each day, could be one of the reason for the trend reversal. At the most, it could go to 7% or four to five people passed a day.

Learners who fail the road test twice should register again for a full or half course, which can prove to be quite expensive (at least QR2,800). The high cost is pointed out as another reason for drivers opting out.

However, some companies have started offering discounts and flexible learning hours to attract new learners.

The biggest reason of all could be the ban on 240 categories of workers from obtaining a license.

All the best to all aspiring drivers out there.