Parking Rules in Qatar: Where You Cannot Park and What Happens If You Do

Parking fines are among the most common in Qatar, and most drivers never read the rule behind them. This guide uses 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 law sets ranges for courts. The usual ticket amounts sit in a table we could not read, so we do not give them. It is general information, not legal advice.

The basic rule (Article 77)

Article 77 says parking and waiting of motor vehicles shall only be in the areas designated by the Licensing Authority. Article 1 defines stopping as parking the vehicle for a period involving picking up or dropping off people or loading and unloading goods, and parking as the presence of the vehicle in a place for a specified or indefinite period.

Where you cannot park or wait (Article 78)

Article 78 bans parking or waiting in these places or circumstances:

1. pedestrian crossings and pavements;

2. bridges, tunnels and elevated carriageways, unless there are places dedicated to parking;

3. near the brow of a hill or a bend;

4. less than fifteen metres from junctions, field gateways, roundabouts, pedestrian crossings, stations and bus stops;

5. next to no-crossing lines;

6. places where the car may block traffic signals or road signs, or other drivers' view;

7. in front of the entrances and exits of homes, garages, petrol stations, hospitals, ambulance and fire stations, police and military areas and educational establishments, unless there is permission;

8. places where it would block other parked vehicles;

9. next to another vehicle close to the carriageway (double parking);

10. places not authorized for parking and waiting;

11. places for people with special needs and others;

12. chargeable car parks, without paying the fee;

13. overstaying the period shown on the parking meter.

Article 78 bis, added in 2010, bans trucks, tractors, trailers and semi-trailers from parking in places other than those authorized by ministerial decision. Article 88 allows impounding for this.

Meters, keys and obstruction

• **Meters (Article 79):** parking meter areas may not be damaged, and congestion may not be caused there.
• **Leaving the vehicle (Article 80):** a driver may not leave a vehicle on the road without taking the necessary steps to avoid an accident, making sure it does not obstruct traffic, and taking steps to prevent illegal use by others. The article also bans leaving the vehicle with the key inside.
• **Obstruction (Article 81):** a person responsible for a vehicle may not keep it parked on a road in a way likely to obstruct traffic or expose road users to risk. If they do not remove it within a reasonable time, the Licensing Authority may remove it and the owner pays the cost.
• **Things on the road (Article 82):** vehicles, animals or objects may not be left on the road in a way that endangers life or property or impedes traffic. The authority may remove the item at the offender's expense.

Night parking away from lights (Article 71)

Article 71 says that a driver who parks on a carriageway without public lighting at night, or in poor visibility, should park away from the main road with a red light or reflector at the rear.

The penalty range

Articles 77 to 82 are listed in Article 95, with a court range of one week to one year in prison or a fine of QR 3,000 to QR 10,000. Article 95 bis, added in 2010, sets a higher range of up to one month in prison or a fine of QR 15,000 to QR 30,000 for violations of an article that the English text names only as Article 78. We cannot tell whether this refers to Article 78 or 78 bis, so we do not apply it to ordinary parking. Most parking tickets are settled by paying a table amount under Article 105, which we could not read.

What to do

1. Pay the meter or app fee before you leave, and watch the time limit.

2. Never park on a pavement, a crossing or within 15 metres of a junction or bus stop.

3. Keep clear of bays for people with special needs.

4. Take your key with you.

5. If you have a ticket, pay it within 60 days. See unpaid traffic fines.

6. If you think the ticket is wrong, see how to dispute a traffic fine.

7. If your car was moved or impounded, see impounded vehicle in Qatar.

What we could not verify

• The ticket amount for each parking offence, which is in the compounding table.
• Whether the 15-metre rule is measured exactly as written in local practice.
• Which paid parking operators and apps apply in each area. See shopping malls in Qatar for mall parking, which has its own rules.
• The scope of Article 95 bis and any later amendments.