The General Directorate of Traffic has announced the implementation of new traffic regulations and procedures, effective from 22 May 2024, for vehicle exit permits, the mandatory payment of traffic fines before leaving the country, and the designation of specific lanes for high-capacity buses, taxis, limousines, and delivery motorcycles. These measures, based on the Traffic Law issued by Decree-Law No. (19) of 2007 and the Minister of Interior’s Decision No. (21) of 2024, aims to enhance road safety and improve traffic flow across Qatar.
FIRST
A permit must be obtained from the General Directorate of Traffic for motor vehicles to exit the country, as per the prescribed form and the following conditions:
SECOND
Rules for the return of vehicles with Qatari plates:
THIRD
In case of violating the rules above and procedures, legal actions will be taken, including the administrative impoundment of the vehicle for up to (90) days.
FOURTH
Effective from the date of this announcement, motor vehicles outside the country will not be allowed to renew their registration unless the vehicle undergoes a technical inspection inside the country. If the registration is not renewed within the legal period (30 days from the expiration date), the vehicle owner must return the license plates to the General Directorate of Traffic.
Failure to return the plates will result in referring the violator to the Public Prosecution for its procedures, according to Article (95) of the mentioned Traffic Law, which stipulates imprisonment for not less than one week and not more than one year, and a fine of not less than (3,000) Qatari Riyals and not more than (10,000) Qatari Riyals, or either of these penalties.
FIFTH
A 50% discount on the value of traffic violations for all motor vehicles will be applied from (01 June 2024) until (31 August 2024). The discount includes violations recorded within no more than three years.
SIXTH
Effective from 01 September 2024, traffic law violators will not be allowed to leave the country through any state borders (land, air, and sea) without paying the fines and dues through the (Metrash2) application, Ministry of Interior website, traffic sections, or unified service centers.
SEVENTH
Effective from 22 May 2024, as per the provisions of the Article No. 49 of the Traffic Law, buses with more than (25) passengers, taxis, and limousines are prohibited from using the left lane on road networks with three or more lanes in each direction. Delivery motorcycle riders must use the right lane on all roads, with lane changes allowed at least (300 meters) before intersections.
In case of non-compliance with the above, legal action will be taken against the violator, who will be subject to referral to the Public Prosecution for its procedures according to Article (95) of the Traffic mentioned above Law.