Third party vehicle insurance rates go up

Source : Gulf Times
Third party insurance premium for four-cylinder (ordinary) vehicles has been increased to QR400, while for six-cylinder four-wheel drive vehicles the amount has been raised to QR600, according to new traffic law by-rules.
The ministerial decision, which will come into effect on August 28, has also increased the fee for driving licence to QR250 for five years for expatriates and QR500 for 10 years for citizens (light and medium categories).
For heavy duty vehicles, it would be QR300 for expatriates for five years and QR600 for 10 years for citizens.
The driving licence for motorcycles has been fixed at QR150 for expatriates and QR300 for 10 years for citizens.
For eight-cylinder vehicles, the insurance premium will be QR600 (ordinary) and QR800 for four-wheel drive.
For commercial vehicles (four cylinders) upto one ton, the insurance premium will be QR500, and for vehicles above one ton, the premium will be QR600.
For vehicles with more than four cylinders, the amount will be QR600 (for vehicles upto one ton), while those above one ton will have to pay QR700.
For buses with a capacity of 45 passengers, the insurance premium has been fixed at QR1,000.
If it was found out that an accident for which a claim was availed of from the insurance company was caused by a driver who was drunk or was under the influence of drugs, the insurance company can demand the money back. It is applicable also if the accident was caused by any serious violation of the traffic law or its by-rules.
When the ownership of a car is changed, the insurance cover will automatically be transferred to the new owner, Article 97 stated.
The driving schools’ curriculum should include theory classes teaching trainees traffic rules and the basic mechanism of vehicles.
The teaching hours of the theory classes should not be less than 15 hours for light, medium and heavy vehicles.
The practical training hours should not be less than 35 hours, the new by-rules, issued on Sunday, said.
The new law has prohibited adding any device to an engine so as to increase the speed of the vehicle.
No car mechanic should undertake a repair work unless the owner of the vehicle produces a certificate to the effect from the Traffic Department.
Emergency vehicles like ambulances have been authorised to exceed the speed limit and use horns or special lights while on duty.
A vehicle approaching a main road from a service lane should wait and watch for the appropriate time to enter.
Motorists are allowed to reverse their cars on roads only when there is no traffic flow and the distance thus covered should not exceed 20m.
They should also not block traffic and cause any inconvenience to the public.
If a car is stopped in the middle of the road due to mechanical failure, the driver should try to move it to a service lane. If he is not able to do it himself, he should seek the help of the police.