DOHA: The Ministry of Interior (MoI) in a social media post on Saturday reminded the public of the procedures for returning vehicles with Qatari plates that have been permitted to leave the country and for settling traffic violations before leaving the country.
It also said the 50 percent discount on traffic fines for all vehicles remains valid until August 31.
"Vehicles permitted to leave Qatar must be returned within six months from the departure date. The permit can be extended for additional period or periods. Vehicles located in GCC countries are exempt from this requirement, provided they undergo a technical inspection in Qatar," the ministry said.
"Vehicles that have been outside the country since before the implementation of these regulations on 22 May 2024 must be returned unless the owner obtains a permit allowing the vehicle to remain abroad for an extended period or multiple periods."
As per the ruling in May, effective from September 1, 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 centres.
In May, the Ministry of Interior, represented by the General Directorate of Traffic, announced the rules and procedures for vehicle exit permits to leave the country, and the payment of traffic fines before leaving the country.
Director of Public Relations Department at the Ministry of Interior Brigadier Abdullah Khalifa Al Muftah announced that a 50 percent discount on the value of traffic violations for all motor vehicles will be applied from June 1, 2024 until August 31, 2024. The discount includes violations recorded within no more than three years.
Al Muftah said effective from May 22, 2024, 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: The vehicle must not have any outstanding traffic violations. The final destination (point of arrival) for the motor vehicle must be specified; and the applicant for the permit must be the owner of the vehicle, or present proof of.
He pointed out that the following vehicles are exempted from the requirement for a vehicle exit permit: Vehicles bound for the GCC countries (point of arrival) provided they have no traffic violations, and the driver is either the owner or has the owner’s consent; and Goods transporting vehicles.
He also unveiled rules for the return of vehicles with Qatari plates.
The rules stipulated "Return the vehicles that are outside the country before applying these rules and procedures, within 90 days from the date of this announcement, unless the owner obtains a permit from the licensing authority for the vehicle to remain abroad for a specified period or periods.”
They also stipulated "Return the vehicle permitted to leave the country before the permit expires, with the possibility to renew the permit for a further period or periods.”
In case of violations of the aforementioned rules and procedures, legal actions will be taken, including the administration impoundingthe vehicle for up to 90 days, said Brigadier Al Muftah.
He noted that motor vehicles outside the country will not be allowed to renew their registration unless the vehicle undergoes a technical inspection inside the country, adding 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.
He said that failure to return the plates will result in referring the violator to the Public Prosecution for its procedures, according to the Traffic Law, which stipulates imprisonment for not less than one week and not more than one year, and a fine of not less than (QR3,000) and not more than (QR10,000), or either of these penalties.
Brigadier Al Muftah said that effective from May 22, 2024, as per the provisions 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.
He stressed that delivery motorcycle riders must use the right lane on all roads, with lane changes allowed at least 300 metres 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 Law, he said.