To get an international driving license in Qatar, apply through the Qatar Automobile and Touring Club (QATC), either in person for same-day issuance or online through the QATC-authorized Asfary platform, which takes about two working days. The document itself is an International Driving Permit (IDP), a multilingual translation of your Qatari license rather than a separate credential, so you carry both together whenever you drive abroad.
Who Can Apply
You must be at least 18 years old and hold a valid Qatari driving license. Non-Qatari residents should have at least six months of validity remaining on their residency permit.
Documents You Need
- Valid Qatari driving license, with a clear copy or scan of both sides
- Passport biographical data page
- Valid Qatari ID card (original for in-person applications, copy for online)
- Two recent passport-sized photographs with a plain background; a digital version is uploaded for online applications
Unclear scans and photos with busy backgrounds are the most common cause of processing delays.1Asfary. International Driving Permit – IDP
Applying In Person at QATC
Walk into the QATC office with your original documents, completed application form, photographs, and payment. In-person applications are usually processed and issued the same day, often within minutes. Some authorized driving schools and travel agencies also accept applications on QATC’s behalf, but availability varies, so call the specific location first.
Applying Online Through Asfary
If you’d rather not visit an office, submit the application through the QATC-authorized Asfary platform. Upload your license scan (both sides), passport photo, and personal details, then choose your processing speed:
- Standard processing: about two working days
- Urgent processing: approval in roughly 15 minutes, working hours only
- Friday or Saturday issuance: available for an extra QAR 130
Online pricing starts from QAR 38.50 per person for the base application, with add-ons for urgent or weekend service. Applications submitted on a Thursday won’t be processed until Sunday evening or Monday morning under standard timelines, so plan around the Qatari weekend if you’re pressed for time. Once approved, Asfary issues an electronically endorsed PDF that you print yourself; printing instructions arrive with the approval.1Asfary. International Driving Permit – IDP
What Your IDP Covers
The IDP only covers the same vehicle categories that appear on your Qatari license. If your domestic license authorizes a standard passenger car but not a motorcycle, your IDP won’t grant motorcycle privileges abroad. The same logic applies to heavy vehicles and commercial categories.
Because Qatar is a party to the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic rather than the EU framework, some category definitions differ slightly. Motorcycle categories (A and A1) are restricted to two-wheeled vehicles only, and trailer-towing authorizations follow Convention weight limits rather than EU standards.2United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE). International Driving Permit Categories Any limits are printed on the permit under “Restrictive Conditions of Use,” so check the notations before renting a vehicle abroad that sits near the edge of your category.
Validity and Using It Abroad
A Qatar-issued IDP is valid for one year from the date of issuance, or until your underlying Qatari driving license expires, whichever comes first.3AAA. International Driving Permit Application It is never a standalone document. You must carry your Qatari license alongside it at all times when driving abroad, and both police and rental agencies will typically ask to see them together.
Qatar’s accession to the 1968 Vienna Convention in 2013 means the IDP is formally recognized across all signatory nations, covering most of Europe, much of the Middle East, and parts of Africa, Asia, and South America.4United Nations Treaty Collection. Vienna Convention on Road Traffic 1968 Many countries that follow the older 1949 Convention also honor Qatar-issued IDPs in practice, though Qatar is not a party to that treaty.3AAA. International Driving Permit Application A few countries have unique rules or do not accept any IDP, so verify with the destination country’s embassy or transport authority before you travel, especially if you plan to rent a car.
The IDP is not valid for driving within Qatar. Residents drive on their Qatari license at home.
Renewing Your IDP
There is no separate renewal process. When your IDP expires after one year, you apply again from scratch through QATC or Asfary, submitting the same documents and paying the same fee as a first-time applicant. Before reapplying, confirm that your Qatari driving license is still valid. Non-Qatari residents should also check that their residency permit has enough remaining validity, since an expired residency will block the new application. Starting the reapplication a few weeks before your current IDP expires prevents a gap if you have travel booked.
If You Are Visiting Qatar Rather Than Applying as a Resident
Different rules apply to visitors. On a business or tourist visa, you can drive on a valid foreign national license for seven days from your entry date. After that first week, you need either a temporary Qatari driving license or a valid IDP issued by your home country, which Qatar accepts for up to six months from the date of entry.5Al Meezan. Law No. 19 of 2007 Regarding the Traffic Law GCC nationals can generally drive in Qatar on their GCC-issued licenses without a time limit.
Qatar’s traffic law also requires visitors and tourists with non-Qatari licenses to submit those licenses to the Licensing Authority within 15 days of entering the country.5Al Meezan. Law No. 19 of 2007 Regarding the Traffic Law Do not assume a foreign license alone covers an extended stay.