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Qatar’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry has announced new regulatory requirements aimed at protecting the rights of citizens and expatriate residents who enroll in driving schools across the country.

The measures seek to improve transparency between training providers and consumers, particularly regarding payments, agreed services and training schedules. Introduced in coordination with the relevant authorities, the requirements are based on Consumer Protection Law No. 8 of 2008 and apply to driving schools operating in Qatar and people seeking driving instruction.

Under the announced rules, driving schools must comply with three principal contractual requirements. First, they are prohibited from collecting fees from consumers unless a clear written contract has been concluded for the relevant training service. This requirement is designed to ensure that customers understand the service they are purchasing and have a written record of the agreed terms. It also provides a more transparent basis for addressing disputes arising from unclear arrangements, payments or expectations about the training offered.

The second requirement concerns the actual commencement of training. Driving schools must specify the date on which instruction will begin in the written contract, giving customers clearer information about the timing of the service. The third requirement is that consumers must be enabled to obtain the permit number issued by the General Directorate of Traffic. Together, these measures aim to strengthen accountability, reduce uncertainty and ensure that learners have access to essential information concerning their training arrangements.

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has granted driving schools a one-month grace period beginning on the date they are notified of the requirements. During this period, schools are expected to review their procedures, update contractual arrangements and ensure compliance with the announced conditions. Following the expiry of the applicable grace period, the ministry will conduct field inspections to assess whether training providers are meeting their obligations. Any violations identified may be dealt with under the relevant legal and regulatory procedures.

Citizens and expatriate residents planning to enroll in driving lessons are encouraged to review the written contract before making payments and ensure that it clearly identifies the service and actual training start date. They should also obtain the relevant permit number issued by the General Directorate of Traffic. Consumers wishing to report suspected violations can contact the Ministry of Commerce and Industry through its call centre at 16001 or its official social media accounts. The measures were announced on October 8, 2026, and the one-month compliance period runs from the date each school receives notification rather than necessarily from the public announcement date.

Source: Qatar Ministry of Commerce and Industry and Al Raya Newspaper.