DOHA: A senior official of the Traffic Department has warned driving schools of stern action, including closure, if they fail to upgrade their services and facilities in line with the new regulations. All driving schools in the country had been given time until August 1 to fulfil the new requirements. The Traffic Department has intensified inspections at these schools to ensure that they comply with the rules. Brigadier Mohamed Marafi, head of Planning and Traffic Safety, who is also a member of the evaluation panel for driving schools, said the Traffic Department had come across several violations during the inspections. Some trainers in these schools were found to be working without a valid licence from the Traffic Department. Some cars used by the schools were more than five years old and not fit for training. Some schools have failed to provide sufficient space inside their premises, especially for heavy vehicle training. Most schools are required to increase the number of their cars by about 20 percent. They should also provide signals and roundabouts inside their premises for training. In one school, the hall used for theoretical classes was too small, said Marafi, in an interview with “Muroor,” the magazine of the Traffic Department. During the closure, the trainees will be shifted to other schools on the expense of the erring facility. The Peninsula

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