The ongoing traffic awareness campaign initiated by the Ministry of Interior (MOI), ‘Accident-Free Summer’ entered its fourth week, this time focused on driving without a license. The campaign earlier highlighted common traffic violations such as stopping within the yellow box, using mobile phones while driving, and negligence of wearing seatbelts.
The campaign this week highlights the dangers of ‘driving without a license’ because of its risk to road users, paedestrians and passengers.
Captain Khalid Mubarak Al Khulaifi, Head of Traffic at Dukhan, said that based on Article 29 of the Traffic Law for 2007, no motor vehicle shall be driven on the road unless the driver has obtained a driving license.
Persons belonging to any of the following categories are exempted from these provisions:
- Holders of driving licenses issued by the armed forces, police and other security agencies for driving agency vehicles only;
- Citizens of the Gulf Cooperation Community states holding valid driving licenses issued by the authorities of their respective states;
- Visitors and tourists holding non-Qatari valid driving licenses and who undertake to submit such licenses to the Licensing Authority within fifteen days from their date of entry to the country;
- Visitors and tourists holding valid international driving licenses.
He said that the Law also criminalises a person for letting another person without a driving license drive a car.
Captain Al Khulaifi said that the traffic patrols continue with their campaign on a daily basis, to confirm that no one violates this law. He also emphasises that they will show no tolerance for violators because of its severe risks. He said that during the first half of 2018, a total of 143 violations were recorded for individuals driving without license.
He also said that a person holding a license for any of light, heavy or equipment vehicles is not permitted to drive other vehicles.
Juveniles caught driving without license will be transferred to the Juvenile Police Department, they will take the necessary measures against the violators. The patrol and traffic investigation department has been carrying out a two-week campaign for direct stopping campaign, focusing on these violations – driving without license, using mobile phones while driving, and not wearing seat belts.
The General Directorate of Traffic urges all road users to abide by traffic rules and regulations, and to avoid any risky behaviour while driving.
For updates and more information about the ongoing Accident-Free Summer campaign, visit the MOI website at portal.moi.gov.qa.
