Qatar will enforce a new rule starting September 1, 2024, prohibiting individuals from leaving the country if they have any outstanding traffic fines.
Qatar Imposes Travel Ban for Outstanding Traffic Fines
This measure is part of a series of traffic regulations introduced by Qatar’s Ministry of Interior to enhance compliance and road safety.
Brigadier Abdullah Khalifa Al Muftah, Director of Public Relations at the Ministry of Interior, announced that from September 1, 2024, any person with unpaid traffic fines will be barred from exiting Qatar through land, air, or sea borders. This initiative is aimed at ensuring that all traffic violations are settled before departure. Fines can be paid through the Metrash2 application, the Ministry of Interior website, traffic sections, or unified service centers.
Discount on Traffic Violations
To encourage the settlement of fines, the Ministry of Interior is offering a 50% discount on traffic violations from June 1, 2024, until August 31, 2024. This discount applies to violations recorded within the last three years. This period provides an opportunity for vehicle owners to clear their dues at a reduced rate before the stricter travel restrictions come into effect.
Starting May 22, 2024, vehicle owners must obtain a permit from the General Directorate of Traffic to take their vehicles out of Qatar. The permit requires that:
- The vehicle has no outstanding traffic violations.
- The final destination of the vehicle is specified.
- The permit applicant is the vehicle owner or has valid proof of authorization.
Certain vehicles, such as those bound for GCC countries or goods transport vehicles, are exempt from needing an exit permit, provided they meet specific conditions, such as having no outstanding fines and owner consent for the trip.
The Ministry also introduced rules regarding the return of vehicles with Qatari plates. Vehicles currently outside Qatar must return within 90 days from the announcement date unless a special permit is obtained for an extended stay abroad. Vehicles must be returned before the permit expires, although extensions can be requested.
Failure to comply with these rules will result in legal action, including the administrative impoundment of the vehicle for up to 90 days. Moreover, vehicles outside Qatar cannot renew their registration without undergoing a technical inspection in the country. If the registration is not renewed within 30 days of expiration, the license plates must be returned to the General Directorate of Traffic. Non-compliance will lead to legal penalties, including fines and possible imprisonment.
Further traffic regulations, effective May 22, 2024, include restrictions on bus, taxi, and limousine lanes. Buses with more than 25 passengers, taxis, and limousines are prohibited from using the left lane on multi-lane roads. Delivery motorcycle riders must use the right lane, with lane changes allowed only 300 meters before intersections.
Violators of these lane usage rules will face legal action and a potential referral to the Public Prosecution, according to Article 95 of Qatar’s Traffic Law.
Qatar’s new traffic regulations and exit restrictions aim to enforce stricter compliance with traffic laws and ensure the prompt settlement of fines. By linking the payment of traffic violations to travel permissions, Qatar's Ministry of Interior seeks to enhance road safety and accountability among vehicle owners and drivers in the country.
