Driving Test in Qatar

Today is my Driving Test day. I woke up early at 4am, and had an early breakfast since it's going to be a long day out there.

I reached the United Driving School at 4.45am, performed my Subuh prayers and then went straight to the Test Office. There's quite a commotion as people trying to do last minute revision of the road signs on the notice board outside the office. I've done my memorising for the past week. The weather is cold and windy. Thru out the whole morning, i went to the toilet around 10 times in total...

Around 5.15am, the 2 personnels from the Traffic Police Dept arrived and went straight to the Test Office where we will be tested the road signs. Around 5:25am, the Road Sign Test commences. The police officer pointed to me around 6 signs and i managed to answer them all correctly. One hurdle over.

Around 6am, after all have taken the Road Sign Test (they were 50 of us there), the Test Officer announced the names who've passed. Around 5 people failed so they have to repeat the test (only after 1 month later). Those who passed including me get into the cars parked in a queue for the L-Parking. I managed to get thru the L-Parking with ease and straight went for the Pocket Parking. This is the hardest one but with concentration and tips from my instructor, i managed to pass both the parking tests.

By around 7:30am all have taken their turns and we waited for the results. After getting the results, 20 of us make it thru for the Road Test. 9 of us get into a van while 1 will be in the test car in front with the police officer. During my turn i was told 2 go into 3 round abouts...and alhamdulillahi think i manage to take each turn calmly. Around 8:30 we all finished taking our turns and we're back at the Test Office waiting for the final results...i was waiting anxiously with my instructor calming me down...The results were announced at 9am...I passed. 10 of us passed that day. So u can see that the success rate is kind of 20% each day.

Finally the anxiety is overcome by excitement. I thanked my instructor for all the tips and tricks...I called my wife, my mum, my friends and colleagues to announce my victorious pass...After that i went home walking as a symbol of sacrifice and self-fulfilling...The 3km walk does not seems long as i was smiling thru out the walk....

It's only if you've taken the driving test here in Doha, then only you'll understand the meaning of this truly sweet success and how much pain we've to go thru trying to get a driving license. So now planning to rent a car...emm