Professions Not Eligible For Driving License in Qatar (2023)

Doha Guides Team regularly reviews this article to ensure that the content is up-to-date and accurate. The last editorial review and update were on 3 September 2023.

If you are a new expatriate to start working in Qatar, you might want to apply for a driving license to make your commute easier. Unfortunately, many professions are not eligible for a driving license in Qatar.

In Qatar, Traffic Department is the authorised authority for issuing driving licenses. The Traffic Department has a long list of professions with categories of workers who are not eligible to get a driving license in the country. Usually, this list gets updated occasionally but is not published to the public.

The updated lists from the Ministry of Interior are only sent to recognised driving schools in Qatar. It is even more complicated for non-Arab expatriates to check as the profession on Qatar ID is only printed in Arabic.

The best solution is to call or visit a reputed driving school with your Qatar ID. Usually, the reception staff at driving schools can check your profession with their list and confirm your eligibility.

Professions Not Eligible for Driving License in Qatar

Here is an unofficial translation of a list of professions not eligible for a Driving License in Qatar. The list has been prepared in alphabetical order for your convenience.

This list was last verified through some driving schools in October 2022.

1. Agricultural Worker
2. Air Cargo Worker
3. Animal Caretaker
4. Assistant Builder
5. Bakery Worker
6. Baking Mixer
7. Bar Keeper
8. Barber
9. Beauty Saloon Worker
10. Blacksmith
11. Boat Carpenter
12. Bricks Builder
13. Builder
14. Butcher
15. Calligraphy Technician
16. Carrier
17. Cashier
18. Ceramic Worker
19. Coffee Boy
20. Communication Assistant
21. Computer Programmer
22. Concrete Blacksmith
23. Connections Technician
24. Construction Carpenter
25. Cook
26. Cook’s Assistant
27. Crusher Machine Operator
28. Curtain Installer
29. Curtain Upholstery Worker
30. Décor Carpenter
31. Decorator Assistant
32. Digger
33. Electric Welder
34. Embroider
35. Falafel Maker
36. Farmer
37. Financial Services Worker
38. Fisherman
39. Fishing Net Maker
40. Fodder Worker
41. Furniture Upholstery Worker
42. Gardener
43. Gate Guard
44. General Carpenter
45. General Electrician
46. General Equipment Mechanic
47. General Manufacturing Worker
48. General Typing
49. Glass Installer
50. Goldsmith
51. Grave Digger
52. Grocery Worker
53. Gypsum Worker
54. Health And Safety Technician
55. Henna Maker
56. Herdsman
57. Horse Hostler
58. Horse Trainer
59. Hotel Service Worker
60. House Manager
61. Ice Maker
62. Industrial Service Worker
63. Installation Electrician
64. Irrigation Worker
65. Jeweller
66. Juice Maker
67. Kebab Maker
68. Labourer
69. Land Shipment Worker
70. Lathing Worker
71. Laundry Worker
72. Lift Electrician
73. Lift Worker
74. Machine Operator
75. Manufacturing Worker
76. Massage Worker
77. Meat, Shawarma And Sandwich Griller
78. Milkman
79. Mining Technician
80. Mixer Operator
81. Nanny
82. Newspaper Sellers
83. Nutrition Worker
84. Oxygen Welder
85. Packing And Grinding Worker
86. Pagemaker
87. Painter
88. Paramedic
89. Pastry Maker
90. Pharmacy Assistant
91. Pipes Welder
92. Plaster Worker
93. Plumber
94. Plumber Assistant
95. Prayer Caller (Moazin)
96. Rescue Worker
97. Sailor
98. Sales Man
99. Sculptor
100. Sea Shipment Worker
101. Security Guard
102. Servant
103. Service Worker
104. Shipping Worker
105. Shoemaker
106. Stamp Maker
107. Sweets Maker
108. Tailor
109. Tailoring Worker
110. Technical Assistant
111. Telephone Central Electrician
112. Tents Tailor
113. Tiles Technician
114. Tiles Worker
115. Translator
116. Typist
117. Tyre Worker
118. Upholstery Worker
119. Vegetable Seller
120. Vinegar Maker
121. Waiter
122. Watchman
123. Welder
124. Whitesmith
125. Wood Cutter
126. Wood Seller

The above list is translated from Arabic and may be changed from time to time. There may be more professions that are banned from securing a driving license.

The above list applies to a four-wheeler license only. Most of these professions may be eligible for a two-wheeler license.

In March 2019, the General Directorate of Traffic announced that the profession of a technician is eligible to apply for a Qatar Driving licence. However, some categories of technicians are still ineligible.

Housewives sponsored by their husbands and students aged 18 years and above (under parent’s sponsorship) are eligible for driving licenses.

If you are unsure about your profession’s eligibility, please check with a driving school or the Traffic Department. Usually, driving schools would confirm before enrolling you for the driving lessons.

In some cases, the traffic department may allow exceptional approvals if there is a justified reason for a driving license.

Eligibility For Two Wheeler License

The above list is only valid for four-wheelers (light vehicles like cars). Most of the above-listed professions will be eligible for a two-wheeler (motorcycle / bike) license. Some of these are also eligible for a heavy vehicle license. Please check with a driving school for confirmation.

Driving Without a Licence

Driving without a valid licence is a criminal offence with harsh penalties for non-compliance. If you are involved in an accident, your insurance will be void, and you may face imprisonment and deportation. Make sure you plan in advance and are holding an appropriate, valid licence at all times.

Finding the Traffic Department

The Ministry of Interior Traffic Department handles all matters concerning licensing and traffic violations. The Traffic Department is located on Khalifa Street, Madinat Khalifa, and is open from 7 am to 11 am and 4 pm to 7 pm.

READ NEXT: How To Get Qatar Driving License

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