Need to drive while living or working in Qatar? If you are staying for more than seven days, you will need to apply for a temporary or permanent driver’s license, depending on your visa status.
You may already have a driver’s license in your country, but it is still a good idea to familiarize yourself with the rules of the road in Qatar. For this reason, choosing the right driving school can be an important first step. Qatar is home to several established driving schools that offer training for different vehicle types and experience levels, so you can get personalized instruction.
This guide provides an overview of several well-known driving schools in Qatar, along with a few practical tips for choosing one. Contact details, course options, timings, and fees may change, so it is best to confirm current information directly with the school before enrolling.
Overview of Driving Schools in Qatar
Driving schools in Qatar are focused on preparing you to drive in local conditions. These may include extreme heat, dust storms, and heavy traffic at certain times of the year. Your driving school will also help you prepare for any tests you need to take to receive your license.
How to Choose a Driving School in Qatar
- Reputation: It’s a good idea to read online reviews and ask local friends, family, or colleagues for recommendations. You want a school with a solid local reputation and good, recent online feedback.
- Courses offered: Carefully study the types of instruction listed on the website to ensure they fit your needs.
- Instructors: Learn more about the instructors from their online profiles and history. Ideally, look for an instructor who is experienced and clearly explains the training process. Some instructors may also have online ratings and reviews that can offer insight into their temperaments and teaching styles.
- Vehicles: Ask to see some of the training vehicles. If they appear well-maintained, that’s a good sign of a quality school.
- Location and schedule: Choose a school that is convenient for your routine and class timing.
General Tips for Learners
- Practice regularly: Consistent practice usually makes learning easier. However, you should follow your instructor’s advice about practicing. In general, you should always have a licensed driver with you when practicing, and you should start in areas with little to no traffic.
- Follow instructions carefully: When learning, you should focus on your driving. Pay close attention to your instructor’s guidance during both theory and road sessions.
- Be patient: Learning to drive takes time, and mistakes are part of the process. This is why we recommend choosing an instructor carefully, as a patient teacher can make driving lessons much less stressful. However, a teacher with a poor temperament can make the process far more challenging.
- Stay calm during tests and training: We understand it can be hard to remain calm in stressful situations, but taking a few deep breaths and focusing on the task at hand can help. A calm approach often helps learners perform better.
Driving Schools in Qatar
Below is a general list of well-known driving schools in Qatar.
Contact details, course options, timings, and fees are subject to change. We recommend that you confirm current information directly with the school before enrolling.
| Driving School | Address | Contact Number | Website |
| Doha Driving Academy | Near North Gate, Al Kharaitiyat, Doha, Qatar | +974 4479 2263 / 4479 2264 | dohadrivingacademy.com |
| Karwa Driving School | Industrial Area Street 37, Gate 18, Doha, Qatar | +974 4458 8888 | karwadrivingschool.com |
| Al Khebra Driving Academy | Building 88, Zone 56, Street 695, Abu Hamour, Doha, Qatar | +974 4032 4444 | alkhebradriving.com |
| Dallah Driving Academy | Salwa Road, Abu Hamour Area, Doha, Qatar | +974 4487 1423 | dalladrivingacademy.com |
| Alijarah Driving Academy | Street 52, Industrial Area, Doha, Qatar | +974 4406 0111 | ada.com.qa |
| Gulf Driving School | Al Fadaill Street, Al Thumama, Doha, Qatar | +974 4465 2666 | gdsqatar.com.qa |
| United Driving School | Whole Sale Market, Doha, Qatar | +974 4468 1003 / 4468 1004 | udqatar.com |
| Qatar Driving Learning Institute | Muaither South, Doha, Qatar | +974 4414 1332 | qatar-driving.com |
| Al Hasba Driving School | Al-Khor, Al Khor, Qatar | +974 3131 5080 | |
| Al Rayah Driving School | Salwa Road, Doha, Qatar | +974 4487 7774 / 4487 7700 | alrayahdrivingschool.com |
Course fees and schedules should be confirmed directly with the school.
Doha Driving Academy (Doha)
Established: 1985
Services Offered: Light motor vehicle, heavy bus, motorcycle, forklift, and special courses for disabled drivers.
Courses: VIP Driving Course, Light Motor Vehicle Course, Motorcycle Course, Heavy Vehicle Course, Forklift Driving Course.
Course Duration: Varies by course.
Course Fees: Theory class costs QR 350. Practical training fees vary by vehicle type.
Contact: +974 44792263 / 44792264
Email: info@dohadrivingacademy.com
Website: dohadrivingacademy.com
Timings: 7 AM – 1 PM & 3 PM – 9 PM
Alijarah Driving Academy (Doha)
Established: Not specified
Services Offered: Defensive driving, light vehicle, and motorcycle training.
Courses: Full and half courses for light vehicles and motorcycles.
Course Duration: Typically 30-45 days, depending on the course.
Course fees: Contact the academy directly for current pricing.
Contact: +974 4406 0111
Email: Not available online
Website: ada.com.qa
Timings: 8 AM – 6 PM
Karwa Driving School (Doha)
Established: 2006
Services Offered: General driving licenses, motorcycle licenses, heavy vehicle training.
Courses: Heavy Bus, Taxi Driver, Defensive Driving, Forklift, and more.
Course Duration: Varies significantly depending on the course.
Course Fees: Fees vary by course; contact for specific details.
Email: Not available online
Phone Number: +974 4458 8888
Website: karwadrivingschool.com
Timings: 7 AM – 7 PM
Gulf Driving School (Doha)
Established: Not specified
Services Offered: Training for light and heavy vehicles, motorcycles.
Courses: General driving courses for light and heavy vehicles.
Course Duration: Typically 4-8 weeks.
Course Fees: Contact the academy for specific fees.
Contact: +974 4465 2666
Email: Not Available
Website: gdsqatar.com.qa
Timings: 8 AM – 5 PM
Al Hasba Driving School – Al Khor, Qatar
Al Hasba Driving School may be a convenient option for residents who live or work in Al Khor.Prospective students should confirm current course options and availability directly with the school.
Al Hasba Driving School Timings
The school operates six days a week with a split schedule that suits both morning and evening learners:
- Sunday to Thursday: 6:00 AM – 12:00 PM and 4:00 PM – 11:00 PM
- Friday and Saturday: Closed
These flexible hours allow learners to choose a training time that fits their personal or work schedule.
Al Hasba Driving School Contact Number & Location
You can reach the school at +974 3131 5080 for inquiries or course registration. The school is located in Al Khor and is easily accessible for residents of Zone 74 – Industrial Area.
Google Maps Plus Code: PG53+7G6, Al Khor and Al Thakhira
Website (Facebook Page): Al Hasba Driving School Facebook
Driving School Course Fees
Course fees may vary depending on the type of course, number of hours, and any current offers. It is best to confirm pricing directly with the school.
Services Offered by Driving Schools
Most driving schools offer light-vehicle training and other basic support, but course types and availability should be confirmed directly with the school. If you need specialized training for heavy or industrial vehicles, the school might have limited time slots due to instructor availability. For example, some schools may have only one instructor who can teach forklift or heavy-vehicle driving.
Required Documents for Enrollment
Before enrolling, you may be asked for documents such as the following, depending on the course and current requirements:
- A copy of your Qatar ID (applicants should confirm any current eligibility requirements before enrolling)
- One passport-size photograph
- An eye test report from any authorized clinic
Common FAQs About Driving in Qatar
How much does it cost to learn to drive in Qatar?
Course fees can vary by school, course type, vehicle type, and any current offers, so we recommend checking the latest pricing directly with the school.
How long does it take to complete a full driving course?
Many driving courses can be completed within 2-3 months, but course length and training hours can vary by school and course type. Some schools also offer “expedited” or shorter courses for students who are already licensed in another country. For these reasons, learners should confirm the current schedule directly with the school.
Is automatic driving easier for beginners?
Many beginners find automatic vehicles easier to learn in, but there are a number of factors to consider. Automatic vehicles are better for city traffic, as they adjust well to stop-and-go driving. Some students also find them less complicated because they don’t require learning clutch control.
On the other hand, some drivers feel they have more control in a manual vehicle, while others find manual vehicles less expensive to maintain.
You should also consider the types of vehicles you may need to drive in the future, especially if you will have to drive for work. If you might be driving a manual vehicle, it’s a good idea to learn both options.
Is the Qatar driving test difficult?
The Qatar driving test has three stages:
- The theory test. This test is taken online and assesses your knowledge of Qatar’s driving rules and regulations. If you have studied carefully, it should not be difficult.
- The parking test. This takes place at a designated MOI facility, with a traffic department officer present. You’ll need to demonstrate your ability to park correctly.
- The driving road test. The traffic officer will ask you to drive a short route so they can observe how you follow traffic rules and drive safely. Most people who have graduated from driving school do not find the parking and road tests to be especially challenging.
Final Thoughts
Qatar has several established driving schools offering different course types and schedules. When choosing a school, you should consider your location, training needs, preferred schedule, and budget, from basic driving lessons to specialized vehicle training. Selecting a suitable school, confirming current course details, and practicing consistently can make the learning process more manageable. Because fees, timings, and course options can change, you should always confirm current details directly with the school.