Qatar Traffic Violations Guide: Metrash2 Inquiries, Demerit Points & Settlement Protocols
Enforcement Authority: General Directorate of Traffic | Supervisory Ministry: Ministry of Interior (MOI) | Governing Statute: Decree-Law No. 19 of 2007 (The Traffic Law)
Road traffic regulation in the State of Qatar is governed by Decree-Law No. 19 of 2007 and enforced by the General Directorate of Traffic under the Ministry of Interior (MOI). Qatar enforces a unified national demerit point system alongside an advanced automated radar surveillance network monitoring speeding, seatbelt compliance, and mobile phone usage. While the state offers a statutory 50% settlement discount for early payment on eligible infractions, severe violations remain strictly non-discountable and can lead to direct court referrals, vehicle impoundment, or driver license suspension.
| Enforcement Dimension | Statutory Standard & Legal Provision |
|---|---|
| Online Inquiry Portals | MOI E-Services portal (portal.moi.gov.qa) and Metrash2 mobile app |
| 50% Prompt Settlement Discount | 50% reduction applies to eligible violations (e.g., standard speeding, seatbelt) settled within 30 calendar days of recording |
| Zero-Discount Serious Offences | Fixed penalties: Handheld phone use (QAR 500 fixed), red-light crossing (QAR 6,000), and driving against traffic |
| First Suspension Threshold | Accumulating 14 demerit points triggers a mandatory 3-month driving license suspension |
| Violation Objection Period | Electronic appeals must be lodged via Metrash2 within 14 days of notification (prior to fine payment) |
1. Statutory 50% Settlement Discount Rules
Under Article 103 of Decree-Law No. 19 of 2007, motorists are granted a statutory concession incentivizing rapid compliance:
Discount Qualification Framework
- • 30-Day Window: A 50% fine reduction is automatically applied if settlement is made within 30 calendar days from the date the violation is registered in the MOI database.
- • Full Fine Reversion: If unpaid after the 30-day window expires, the fine reverts to 100% of the statutory value and cannot be discounted.
- • Excluded Offences: Red-light crossings, driving under the influence, vehicle impoundment orders, and major speed infractions exceeding 50 km/h over the posted limit do not qualify for discounts.
2. The Cumulative Demerit Point Suspension Tiers
The General Directorate of Traffic records demerit points against the offender’s driver license. Progressive point accumulation within a single calendar year triggers escalating statutory suspensions:
| Point Threshold | Administrative Penalty & License Action | Reinstatement Condition |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Instance (14 Points) | Mandatory 3-month suspension of driving license. | Expiration of term + fee clearance |
| 2nd Instance (12 Points) | Mandatory 6-month suspension of driving license. | Expiration of term + fee clearance |
| 3rd Instance (10 Points) | Mandatory 9-month suspension of driving license. | Expiration of term + fee clearance |
| 4th Instance (8 Points) | Mandatory 1-year suspension of driving license. | Expiration of term + fee clearance |
| 5th Instance (6 Points) | Permanent cancellation of driving license. | Must retrain and retest as a new learner after 1 year |
3. Common Violations, Penalties & Demerit Tariffs
The following table provides the statutory penalties and assigned demerit points for standard traffic infractions: