Qatar driving schools push for rate hike

The implementation of new regulations has required driving schools to increase the instruction requirements to 15 hours of theory classes and 35 hours of practical training By Ross Jackson Staff Reporter A forum of driving school managers and operators is expected to gather soon to discuss raising fees in order to pay for facility upgrades and expense increases, according to the official of a Doha driving school. Adil Salem,  manager at Al Rayah Driving School, said that new government requirements had significantly lengthened the period required to complete a course, resulting in higher costs to pay for instructors. Driving simulation equipment has also been installed in schools across Qatar, with a number of them having had to build or refurbish  lecture halls. The implementation of government regulations has required driving schools to increase the instruction requirements to 15 hours of  theory classes and 35 hours of practical training. Traffic Department officials are authorised to shut down schools that don’t comply with these regulations for one month for the first violation, and three months for repeated violations. The learners will be sent to a competing school at the violator’s expense. After meeting to discuss their needs, representatives from driving schools will bring their fee proposal to the Traffic Department which has the final say on any rate increase. A few school managers have, however,  rejected the idea of fee increases. Driving schools have also benefited from the new regulations as they have seen a surge in applications following the implementation of laws allowing Qatar residents to learn to drive without a “no-objection certificate” from their sponsor. A spokesperson for Khebra Driving School said  the waiting period for applicants wanting instruction in Indian languages such as Malayalam had jumped from 10 days to 45 days in recent weeks. English and Arabic speakers need to wait for 20-25 days. Salem said his  school saw a 60%  jump in new applicants in the days after the law was implemented, which dropped to around 30%  in the following weeks, and currently maintains a 10% higher rate of new applicants. Students wishing to take their lessons in the afternoons have a waiting period of up to three weeks. Other driving schools confirmed  the increase in the number of  applications. The increase in applications will put a strain on some schools where students must already wait in long lines to practice driving manoeuvres. One student estimated that he spent up to 45 minutes during his one-hour driving lesson waiting in line  to practice reverse parking. Al Rayah has driving simulators up and running for students to use, which may ease some of the strain on its jam-packed training ground, but a spurt in applications will certainly complicate matters. Some other driving schools may have to expand their grounds further to accommodate more students. The student surge  at driving schools signals that there will soon be an increase in newly-licensed drivers on the roads in Qatar. Courses and fees The following are the fees quoted by two of the driving schools: Al Khebra - Full 35-day course: QR2,270, 25-day course for candidates with prior experience QR1,970. No shorter course offered. Doha Driving Centre - Full 40-day course: QR2,500 ( Ramadan offer: QR2,050), 25-day course: QR2,100 (promotion rate: QR1,800), 12day course, recommended for license holders of other countries: QR1,400 (promotion rate QR1,050). lNew government regulations  require driving schools to have 15 hours of  theory classes and 35 hours of practical training.