Qatar will ban individuals from leaving the country if they have numerous unpaid traffic fines.

This restriction will be enforced starting September 1 and is one of several traffic regulations established by the Ministry of Interior.

The Ministry of Interior in Qatar, through the General Directorate of Traffic, announced the regulations and procedures for obtaining vehicle exit permits to leave the country, along with paying off traffic fines before departure.

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Qatar travel ban:

Brigadier Abdullah Khalifa Al Muftah, Director of Public Relations at the Ministry of Interior, declared that starting September 1, 2024, individuals who violate traffic laws will be prohibited from exiting the country via any state borders (land, air, and sea) without settling fines and fees through the Metrash2 app, Ministry of Interior website, traffic section, or unified service centers.

He also announced a 50% discount on traffic violation fines for all motor vehicles will be applied from June 1, 2024, until August 31, 2024, which includes violations recorded within the past three years.

Furthermore, he declared that starting May 22, 2024, a permit from the General Directorate of Traffic is required for motor vehicles to exit the country, provided they meet certain conditions:

  • The vehicle must not have any outstanding traffic violations
  • The final destination (point of arrival) for the motor vehicle must be specified
  • The applicant for the permit must be the owner of the vehicle, or present proof of

He mentioned exceptions to the vehicle exit permit requirement include vehicles bound for GCC countries (point of arrival), provided they have no traffic violations and the driver is either the owner or has the owner’s consent, and goods transporting vehicles.

Additionally, rules for the return of vehicles with Qatari plates were unveiled by the Director of Public Relations Department at Qatar’s Ministry of Interior.

The rules stipulate “Return the vehicles that are outside the country before applying these rules and procedures, within 90 days from the date of this announcement, unless the owner obtains a permit from the licensing authority for the vehicle to remain abroad for a specified period or periods.”

They also state “Return the vehicle permitted to leave the country before the permit expires, with the possibility to renew the permit for a further period or periods.”

Brigadier Al Muftah said that in case of violating the aforementioned rules and procedures, legal actions will be taken, including the administrative impoundment of the vehicle for up to 90 days.

He emphasized that vehicles outside Qatar will not be able to renew their registration without undergoing technical inspection within the country. Failure to renew registration within the legal period (30 days from the expiration date) requires the vehicle owner to return the license plates to the General Directorate of Traffic.

He said that failure to return the plates will lead to referral to the Public Prosecution for its procedures, as per the Traffic Law, which includes imprisonment for no less than one week and no more than one year, and a fine of no less than QR3,000 ($823) and no more than QR10,000 ($2,744), or either of these penalties.

Moreover, Brigadier Al Muftah said that effective May 22, 2024, buses with more than 25 passengers, taxis, and limousines are barred from using the left lane on road networks with three or more lanes in each direction, as per provisions of the Traffic Law.

He emphasized that delivery motorcycle riders must utilize the right lane on all roads, with lane changes permitted at least 300 meters before intersections.

Non-compliance with these laws will result in legal consequences, including referral to the Public Prosecution for its procedures, according to Article 95 of Qatar’s Traffic Law, he said.