Apparently, special rules apply to Americans trying to get a Driver's License in Qatar. I've been told it can take up to 3 months, and that only Americans are REQUIRED to take an actual driving test, after they pass a road sign identification test. I have since learned that drivers from a few other countries are also required to test.(?India?) I don't know how this applies to you if you are NOT an American citizen, but are trying to use/convert an American drivers license. International Driver's Licenses are worthless to Americans in Qatar. I paid extra and arranged to get one before I came here, and I shouldn't have bothered. Everyone with a valid license can drive in Qatar for their first week, then you have to get your license changed. People from some countries (my office mate from Portugal)can just walk in and get a license, other time frames apply for different nationalities. The story I heard was that someone from Qatar, with influence, was refused a driver's license in the USA, without testing. He returned to Qatar,and then it became a requirement that all Americans must test here. Don't know if this story is true. I've been waiting since Jan for RP, so I can then go test. Hopefully it will be soon.
Apparently, special rules apply to Americans trying to get a Driver's License in Qatar. I've been told it can take up to 3 months, and that only Americans are REQUIRED to take an actual driving test, after they pass a road sign identification test. I have since learned that drivers from a few other countries are also required to test.(?India?) I don't know how this applies to you if you are NOT an American citizen, but are trying to use/convert an American drivers license. International Driver's Licenses are worthless to Americans in Qatar. I paid extra and arranged to get one before I came here, and I shouldn't have bothered. Everyone with a valid license can drive in Qatar for their first week, then you have to get your license changed. People from some countries (my office mate from Portugal)can just walk in and get a license, other time frames apply for different nationalities. The story I heard was that someone from Qatar, with influence, was refused a driver's license in the USA, without testing. He returned to Qatar,and then it became a requirement that all Americans must test here. Don't know if this story is true. I've been waiting since Jan for RP, so I can then go test. Hopefully it will be soon.