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Registering a car in Qatar: istimara and ownership transfer

Every car in Qatar needs a valid istimara — the registration card. Here's how registration and ownership transfer work when you buy a used car.

Editor: Amman Abbasi · GCC Car Deals

What the istimara is

The istimara is the vehicle registration issued by the General Directorate of Traffic. It ties the car to its owner and is renewed every year (a brand-new car's first registration can run longer). When you buy used, the aim is to have it transferred cleanly into your name.

Insurance and a valid registration first

A transfer needs insurance in the new owner's name and a registration that is still valid — for a car three or more years old, that means it passed its annual Fahes inspection at the last renewal. Arrange the insurance and check the istimara's expiry date before your transfer appointment so nothing stalls on the day.

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Transferring ownership

Ownership transfer is done at the Traffic Department, with both parties present, or in the Ministry of Interior's Metrash app, where the seller starts the request and the buyer approves it in their own app. Any traffic fines against the car must be cleared first, and a financed car needs its bank's release, so check both before you pay.

Check before you buy

Confirm the istimara details match the car and the seller, that there's no outstanding finance on the vehicle, and that fines are clear. A car you can't register cleanly into your name is not a car you should be paying for yet.

Annual renewal

After the transfer you renew registration each year with current insurance and, when it falls due, a fresh inspection. Renewals can be handled in the Metrash app, so keep your insurance dates and inspection in sync to avoid driving on an expired istimara.

Keep the handover safe

Never pay in full before the istimara is in your name and the transfer is confirmed. Doing it properly protects you from inheriting someone else's fines, finance or accident liability along with the car.

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