Registering a vehicle and renewing the Istimara

Who this is for

Owners of vehicles registered in Qatar, whether individuals or companies. You renew the registration when it has expired. A vehicle that is more than three years old must pass the technical inspection first.

Before you start

• Valid vehicle insurance. It should cover at least one year, or more than one year for a new vehicle. Renew the insurance before you renew the registration.
• A pass result from the Fahes technical inspection, if your vehicle was made more than three years ago.
• Your current vehicle registration card (Istimara).
• A smart QID card or a Metrash account to renew online.
• To register a car you bought: the seller's and buyer's IDs (copies), the original registration, and insurance in the buyer's name.

Steps

1. Renew the insurance

   Buy or renew insurance for the vehicle with an insurance company. The registration cannot be renewed without valid insurance.

2. Take the car to Fahes for inspection

   If the vehicle is more than three years old, drive it to a Fahes inspection station. Pay the inspection fee at the station's registration booth or in advance in the WOQOD app. Hand over your registration card and receipt at the lane. You receive the result by text message. This is the only step you must do in person.

3. Fix and re-inspect if the car fails

   If the car does not pass, have the faults repaired and book a re-inspection at Fahes. You can only renew after it passes.

4. Renew the registration online

   Renew in the Metrash app, or log in to the Ministry of Interior e-services portal with your smart card. On the portal, choose personal or company, then go to Traffic Services, then Vehicles, then Renew Vehicle Registration. Find and select your vehicle.

5. Choose delivery and pay

   Choose to collect the new card from the traffic department or a Fahes station, or have it sent by Qatar Post. Pay the fees and save the receipt.

6. Prefer in person? Renew at a counter

   You can also renew at a traffic counter in any permanent Fahes station, or at the General Directorate of Traffic or a traffic service centre. Bring the application form, the original registration, the inspection result and the insurance.

7. Bought a car? Transfer it to your name

   When you buy a used car, the registration must be moved into your name. The seller can do this on the portal (Traffic Services, then Vehicles, then Vehicle Ownership Transfer) or in Metrash, by entering the new owner's details. You can also do it at the traffic department with the paper form. The car needs insurance in the buyer's name first.

Good to know

• Fahes describes the inspection as a yearly legal requirement. It checks safety, roadworthiness and exhaust emissions.
• You can check a vehicle's inspection report online on the Fahes website.
• If you buy a mortgaged (financed) car, the ownership transfer needs the lender's approval first.
• Metrash can send you a text alert before your vehicle registration expires.
• If you lose your registration card or it is damaged, you can ask the traffic department for a replacement.