Who Can Register or Drive a Taxi, Limousine or Truck in Qatar? What the Traffic Law Says

People searching for taxi, limousine and truck driver jobs in Qatar often ask whether a foreigner can drive one, and who can own one. The Traffic Law answers part of this. 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. We did not find a current official page on recruitment for Karwa or other operators, and the Executive Regulation and later decisions were not read. It is general information, not legal advice.

The vehicle types in the law

Article 1 defines these vehicle types:

• **Taxi:** a private vehicle for carrying passengers for a fare, with up to 7 passengers excluding the driver.
• **Rental car:** a private car hired out without a driver for an agreed period.
• **Limousine:** a private car hired out with a driver for an agreed period.
• **Public transport vehicle (minibus):** carries passengers for a fixed fee per passenger on a specific route, with up to 8 passengers excluding the driver.
• **Public truck and private truck:** carrying goods, animals and other items for a fare (public) or for private use only (private).
• **Vehicle for private use:** a vehicle with special specifications used only for its designated purpose.

Registering a taxi, limousine, minibus or truck (Article 3)

Article 3 says non-Qatari nationals shall not be granted permission to register taxis, hire cars, limousines, public minibuses, trucks or cars for private use. The last category appears to mean the special-specification "vehicle for private use" in Article 1 rather than an ordinary family car, since non-Qataris can register ordinary cars (see vehicle registration renewal problems). The English text does not say how this applies to companies, so we do not know the position of a company with foreign owners. In practice it means the registered owner of a taxi or truck is a Qatari or a Qatari entity.

Who can hold a public vehicle licence (Article 32)

Article 32 sets these conditions on top of the normal licence conditions in Article 31 (a medical fitness certificate and passing the driving test):

1. The applicant must be a Qatari citizen.

2. They must not have been convicted of an offence involving dishonesty or of driving under the influence of drugs or intoxicating substances.

3. They must have held a valid driving licence for at least two years.

4. They must know the important facilities and geographical locations in the State.

**Exception for employed drivers:** notwithstanding the Qatari condition, a licence may be issued to non-Qataris who are employed as drivers on a full-time basis, as determined by the Licensing Authority and under the terms of the Regulations. This is the route through which foreign drivers hold public vehicle licences, usually through an employer.

Age, licence types and validity

• **Types (Article 30):** the public vehicle licence authorises driving taxis, limousines, passenger transport or public transport vehicles, heavy machinery or equipment. Heavy goods vehicles have their own licence type.
• **Minimum age (Article 31):** 21 for heavy goods, heavy machinery and public vehicle licences. Under 21 is not allowed for those types, and 18 is the minimum for motorcycles and light vehicles.
• **Validity (Article 35):** public vehicle driving licences are valid for one year from issue, shorter than the five years for other non-Qataris and ten years for Qataris. They are renewable on payment of the fee, and Article 36 says to renew within thirty days of the expiry date.

Passenger limits and conduct

Article 84 says drivers of buses, taxis, hire cars and limousines may not carry more than the number of passengers on the registration certificate, may not talk with a passenger while the vehicle is moving, and may not let anyone sit or stand beside the driver. Article 41 requires car hire companies and offices to hold a licence from the Licensing Authority, and allows closure of an unlicensed business for up to one month for a first offence and three months for a later one. See car rental companies in Qatar.

If you are applying for a driver job

These points are our advice.

1. Ask the employer which licence type you need and who arranges the public vehicle licence.

2. Check that the employer is registered and the contract is real. See fake Qatar job offers and the work visa process.

3. Keep your own licence valid, and avoid a conviction for driving under the influence, which blocks a public licence. See reckless driving, racing and drunk driving.

4. Check who pays vehicle rental, fuel and fines. See unpaid traffic fines.

5. Read the minimum wage rules for employees. See minimum wage in Qatar.

What we could not verify

• Current requirements and pay for Karwa and other taxi operators, which we did not find on an official page.
• The Regulations and ministerial decisions that set the full-time employed driver exception.
• How Article 3 applies to companies and franchise operators.
• Any amendment to Articles 3, 32 and 35 after the 2010 version.