Destinations / Qatar
Driving in Qatar as a visitor
Usually yes. Qatar expects visiting drivers to carry an International Driving Permit alongside their national licence, and rental desks ask for one. It matters most when your licence is not printed in the Latin alphabet.
Standard delivery included. Need it sooner? Express lands by for $25 more.
Reviewed July 2026 · A translation of your own licence, carried with it. Not a government permit.
What Qatar expects
| Permit needed | Expected |
|---|---|
| Convention format | 1968 Vienna |
| Valid for | Up to 3 years |
| Drives on the | Right |
| Emergency number | 999 |
| Top speed limit | 120 km/h expressways |
What the rental desk will ask you for
| Your own licence | The original card. A photo of it, or a photocopy, gets turned away. |
|---|---|
| Licence translation | Expected. Hand it over with the licence, never instead of it. |
| Booklet format they know | 1968 Vienna |
| Minimum age | 18. Under 25 usually pays a young-driver surcharge. |
| Deposit | A credit card in the driver's name. The hold is taken in QAR. |
Rules that catch visitors out
| Alcohol | Zero-tolerance alcohol law while driving. |
|---|---|
| Speed | Extensive speed-radar enforcement. |
| Seatbelts | Seatbelts mandatory front and rear. |
On the road in Qatar
At the pump
WOQOD stations sell Super (98), Premium (95) and diesel, mostly attended; fuel is cheap and government-set at roughly QR 1-2 per litre, with cards widely accepted.
After a crash
Call 999 for police and ambulance and do not move the cars until an officer attends; a police report is mandatory for any insurance claim and rental return, and you can also log the incident via the Metrash2 app.
Sources: qatarvisaqvc.com · infinityrentacar.qa · dohaguides.com · dohaguides.com
Common questions
Do you need an International Driving Permit in Qatar?
Usually yes. Qatar expects visiting drivers to carry an International Driving Permit alongside their national licence, and rental desks ask for one. It matters most when your licence is not printed in the Latin alphabet.
Which IDP format does Qatar accept?
Qatar recognises the 1968 Vienna format. Your permit is prepared in that format.
Will a rental desk in Qatar ask for one?
Doha desks request an IDP for most non-GCC licences.
How fast can you get one?
Express orders are emailed within 5 minutes. The exact delivery moment is quoted before you pay and the order is refundable for 30 days.