People learning driving in schools will be required to successfully complete theory classes to be eligible to attend practical lessons. Trainers employed with driving schools will also have to undergo training and pass tests to carry on with their job, says the traffic department. “We have prepared a comprehensive theory curriculum which will be circulated to all driving schools,” the department has said. But it clarified that the schools have been given a year to comply with the by-laws and make the necessary changes. Traffic officials also say they now have the authority to monitor car rental companies as well after the executive regulations to interpret the traffic law enforced in late 2007 began to be implemented on August 28. The department earlier made it clear that the executive regulations or by-laws also empower it to closely monitor garages, automobile workshops, driving schools and car showrooms. The department, therefore, has the authority to oversee not only showrooms that sell new cars but also those offering used vehicles for sale. The idea is to make sure that all the above facilities, including outlets that sell automobile spare parts, abide by safety and security standards specified by the law. “We urge all these establishments (car rental firms included) to abide by the law so as not to get penalised …. They must correct their status and contact the technical affairs section of the Traffic Department (for help and clarification),” the director of the department, Brigadier Mohamed Saad Al Kharji, said. Quoting Al Kharji, a statement from the Ministry of Interior said yesterday: “There were some disputes over the clauses of some articles of the traffic law (of 2007), but the executive regulations now clearly interpret each clause of the articles of the legislation.” Al Kharji’s quotes are from the briefing he gave to the press on August 26 to explain the by-laws, the interior ministry statement clarified. Insurance companies must clear claims within 10 days irrespective of the value of a claim. http://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/qatar/125013-theory-classes-a-must-before-driving-lessons.html

Follow us on our social media channels: @ILQlive @ILQlive @ILoveQtr ILoveQatar