Close
Saturday, June 21, 2025

Qatar threatens to restrict expat drivers

Subscribe

- Never miss a story with notifications

- Gain full access to our premium content

- Browse free from any location or device.

Media Packs

Expand Your Reach With Our Customized Solutions Empowering Your Campaigns To Maximize Your Reach & Drive Real Results!

– Access the Media Pack Now

– Book a Conference Call

– Leave Message for Us to Get Back

Related stories

DOMOTEX asia/CHINAFLOOR 2025 reaffirms its role as Asia’s leading international carpet and flooring tradeshow

Robust attendance, expansive international participation and forward-thinking innovation defined...

TiTE x IHT 2025 | Grand Launch on October 21 in Taichung Shui-Nan

Taiwan’s Largest Hardware Show Launches TEAM TAIWAN, Creating a...

Volvo Penta UK and Ireland appoints SMT as Industrial dealer in Great Britain

This joint initiative focuses on delivering long-term service value,...

Strong Exhibitor Demand for EISENWARENMESSE International Hardware Fair 2026

Early bird discount available until end of May Once again,...

Qatar is considering imposing restrictions on foreigners obtaining a driver’s licence as a solution to increasingly traffic congestion.

Authorities already have banned expats on temporary project visas from driving, in what is likely to be a headache for the growing number of construction companies seeking work in the rapidly expanding state.

A committee established to find solutions for the worsening traffic issues this week proposed limiting the number of expat workers who can apply for a driver’s licence, based on their profession.

It also suggested decentralising commercial activities from Doha, staggering working hours among government employees and building multi-storey parking lots.

The population of Qatar has almost doubled since 2006 to more than 1.8m people, due to an influx of expatriates taking advantage of the oil-rich state’s opportunities. About 85 percent of the residents are foreigners, it is estimated.

In 2010, Euromonitor estimated Qatar’s population would soar to 2.4m by 2030, an increase of 33 percent from 2010.

Immigration would account for about 74 percent of the net increase, the study said.

Since then Qatar has been awarded the 2022 soccer World Cup, which will require countless new hotels and at least five stadia, drawing in more foreign workers.

According to the Ministry of Interior the number of cars on Doha roads has reached about 876,000 per week day.

Fellow Gulf state Kuwait also imposes restrictions on foreigners seeking a driver’s licence. They must have a university degree and earn a minimum monthly salary of KD400 ($1,400).

Latest stories

Related stories

DOMOTEX asia/CHINAFLOOR 2025 reaffirms its role as Asia’s leading international carpet and flooring tradeshow

Robust attendance, expansive international participation and forward-thinking innovation defined...

TiTE x IHT 2025 | Grand Launch on October 21 in Taichung Shui-Nan

Taiwan’s Largest Hardware Show Launches TEAM TAIWAN, Creating a...

Volvo Penta UK and Ireland appoints SMT as Industrial dealer in Great Britain

This joint initiative focuses on delivering long-term service value,...

Strong Exhibitor Demand for EISENWARENMESSE International Hardware Fair 2026

Early bird discount available until end of May Once again,...

Subscribe

- Never miss a story with notifications

- Gain full access to our premium content

- Browse free from any location or device.

Media Packs

Expand Your Reach With Our Customized Solutions Empowering Your Campaigns To Maximize Your Reach & Drive Real Results!

– Access the Media Pack Now

– Book a Conference Call

– Leave Message for Us to Get Back