Driving the Wrong Way, Reversing and Stopping on a Highway in Qatar: The Rules and Penalties

Wrong-way driving and highway stops cause some of the worst accidents. This guide is based on the English text of the Traffic Law (Decree-Law No. 19 of 2007, amended by Law No. 5 of 2010) on Al Meezan, which we read in October 2026. The wording of some penalty lists in the English text is awkward, so check any figure with a lawyer before relying on it. It is general information, not legal advice.

Driving against the flow of traffic (Article 45)

Article 45 says driving in the opposite direction to the flow of traffic is not permitted. Article 94 lists this paragraph among offences punishable by one month to three years in prison or a fine of QR 10,000 to QR 50,000, and Article 98 says the penalty is at least doubled for a repeat within a year. Article 88 lets the Traffic Department impound a vehicle for up to 90 days for driving in the opposite direction, or for reversing or turning in the opposite direction to the flow of traffic.

Reversing (Article 45)

The second paragraph of Article 45 says reversing on a public highway is not permitted, except in an emergency, beyond a short distance not exceeding twenty metres, and after giving the necessary signal and making sure the road is empty. The driver may ask someone to guide them but may not enter a junction. This paragraph falls under the lower range in Article 95, one week to one year in prison or QR 3,000 to QR 10,000.

On a highway (Article 47)

Article 47 says that when driving on the highway, drivers may not stop the vehicle other than in the places designated for it, and may not reverse, turn left, make a U-turn or drive on the central reservation that separates the two directions. Article 94 lists Article 47 in the same top range as wrong-way driving. Article 1 defines a highway as a road specially designed for the passage of vehicles that does not serve the property directly beside it.

In plain terms, if you miss an exit on a highway, do not stop or reverse. Carry on to the next exit. If your car breaks down, use a designated place, and see what to do if your vehicle fails inspection for the technical side.

Lanes, signals and overtaking (Articles 43, 44, 46 and 64)

• **Keep right (Article 43):** drivers should keep near the right-hand side in listed cases, such as turning right, meeting oncoming traffic, being overtaken or in poor visibility. Buses, trucks, heavy machinery, tractors and vehicles towing a trailer must stay on the right and may not overtake. The second paragraph is in the top range in Article 94, and Article 88 allows impounding when these vehicles do not comply.
• **Lanes (Article 44):** drivers may be banned from crossing connected longitudinal lines, may not use the part of the road with opposite traffic, and should not change lane until certain it is safe.
• **Signalling (Article 46):** before leaving a lane, turning, reversing or making a U-turn, the driver must make sure it is safe, consider other users' position and speed, and signal clearly with indicators or a hand signal for the whole manoeuvre.
• **Overtaking (Article 64):** overtake from the left after signalling, and do not overtake on blind hills, sharp bends, bridges, roundabouts or where prohibited. Do not overtake in poor visibility, and do not overtake stationary school buses in residential areas.
• **Emergency vehicles (Article 64):** give way to police, internal security, civil defence and ambulances, and do not drive behind them, leaving at least 50 metres.

Other related offences

• **Racing (Article 50):** racing vehicles, bicycles or people on the road is banned without written permission, and Article 94 lists it in the top range.
• **Reckless driving (Article 57):** driving recklessly in a way that endangers life and property is in the top range, and Article 88 allows impounding.
• **Traffic lights (Article 72):** motorists must observe automatic traffic signals, and a traffic police officer's hand signals override other signals.

What to do

1. If you take a wrong turn, continue to a legal place to turn round.

2. Never reverse on a highway. If you must reverse elsewhere, stay within about twenty metres, signal and check.

3. If you break down on a highway, put on hazard lights and call for help. The law says to stop only in designated places, so follow police instructions.

4. If you have a fine or your car is impounded, see unpaid traffic fines and impounded vehicle in Qatar.

5. Points can add up. See the traffic violation points system.

What we could not verify

• The points and roadside fine amounts for each offence, since the tables were not available.
• The exact meaning of every paragraph reference in Articles 94 and 95, since the English list is compressed.
• How police treat an emergency stop on a highway in practice.
• The Executive Regulation, which may add rules for hard shoulders and breakdowns.