How To Do Istimara Renewal Online in Qatar (2025 Guide)

Istimara

The Istimara is an important document in Qatar that allows a vehicle’s owner to legally drive their vehicle on the road. The owner must renew the Istimara before it expires to avoid fines or legal issues. The renewal process is simple, convenient, and straightforward. This process can be completed online or at the Traffic Department.

Renewing the Istimara is essential for proving vehicle’s ownership and ensuring the vehicle meets safety standards.  The istimara renewal process has become easier than ever with the online services provided by the Ministry of Interior (MOI) Qatar. This guide will help to understand the complete process through the steps, needed to renew the Istimara on time.

What is Istimara in Qatar?

In the Arabic language, the word Istimara is commonly used for registration of vehicles. It is a vehicle license (vehicle registration card), but no one should confuse it with a driving license. The Ministry of Interior Qatar issues istimara to the vehicle owner.

IIn Qatar, every driver must have a driving license as well as a vehicle license (Istimara/vehicle registration card). The authorities penalize all those drivers who do not have both of them.

Understanding the Istimara Renewal Process in Qatar

The Istimara is a vehicle license, which is an essential requirement for every vehicle. The Ministry of Interior has set up a streamlined process for Istimara. In this guide, we will explain the whole process of renewing the istimara, which makes every vehicle legally registered.  

Importance of Istimara Renewal 

A valid istimara is very important for every vehicle in Qatar. The Qatari government ensures the safety of citizens by registering every vehicle. If a driver is caught without or having an invalid vehicle registration, he will face legal consequences in case of fines and vehicle impoundment.


Istimara Contents

Istimara Front Side

The front side of the Istimara will have

The registration type.

Avoid going off-road, unless they are well prepared.

The QID number.

The nationality.

The renewal date.

The expiry date.

The expiry date.

The date of first registration.

The date of first registration.

The special legal permission (tinted glass, stickers, etc.)

Istimara Back Side

The back side of the Istimara have technical details like

The vehicle’s make..

The model.

The year of manufacturing.

The type, is chassis.

The vehicle’s plate number..

How To Check Vehicle’s Istimara Validity in Qatar

The validity date of Istimara is printed on the front side. The validity of Istimara can also be checked through the Ministry of Interior Qatar website (MOI Qatar).

Visit the Qatar official website or MOI Qatar.

Click on the option of Traffic Inquiries.

Click on the Traffic Violation.

Enter your vehicle number, country, type of vehicle, your vehicle’s plate number and press the submit button. You will find your istimara validity and traffic violation.

Conditions for the Istimara Renewal Qatar? 

There are a few conditions before istimara renewal appointment which are as follow :

The vehicle must not have any traffic fine and penalties.

The vehicle must have valid insurance.

The vehicle must pass a technical inspection.

When to Renew Your Istimara 

The istimara (vehicle registration) is renewed every year in Qatar. The driver should not wait until the last minute to renew it. It may lead to fines or penalties. The renewal process should be start three months before the expiration date. 

Istimara Renewal Qatar Grace Period

The government of Qatar provides a grace period to its citizens for istimara renewal ( renewal of vehicle registration). The time period of this grace period is 30 days. The vehicle owners must renew the istimara ( vehicle registration) in this time period, other wise they will face fines and penalties.

Who can get or renew Istimara?

Anyone who owns a vehicle in Qatar can apply for an Istimara. However, the vehicle must meet certain conditions and pass a vehicle inspection before issuing an Istimara.
Anyone with a vehicle can get the istimara. The application and renewal of vehicle registration depend upon certain conditions. If those conditions are met, the istimara is renewed.

How to do Istimara Renewal In Qatar?

Istimara can be renewed online or in person by visiting the Traffic Department office.

Istimara Renewal Qatar Online By Visiting MOI Website

The Istimara can be renewed online through MOI website. the process is very simple and easy.

Istimara Renewal Qatar Online  using Metrash2 Application

To renew vehicle registration using Metrash2, it is necessary to complete the Fahes vehicle registration, which is required after three years of first registration.

Follow the following simple steps on Metrash2 mobile application to renew your istimara:

Open the Metrash2 mobile application, click on traffic services and then on vehicle services. Tab on ”Renew Vehicle Registration”. Enter your plate number and select the vehicle type. You might enter your mobile number as well. Enter all these details and click on next.

On the next screen the Fahes test details and your insurance will be seen. If Fahes test is cleared and the insurance is valid then you will see a green circle. If it is not cleared you will see red circle. Red circle shows that you can not proceed for the renewal process.

There are two options to collect the Istimara Card. You can collect it my using Qpost option as well as from traffic department ofice. For Q post you need to provide your address.

Istimara Renewal by Metrash2

Istimara Renewal Qatar In-Person Method

You can also renew your istimara by visiting the traffic department. The staff will guide you completely about the whole process of istimara renewal. Do not forget to take old istimara card, debit/credit card, and Qatar ID along with you.

Documents Needed for Istimara Renewal

Here is the list of documents required for car registration renewal in Qatar:  

An original Istimara card.

A valid Qatari ID (QID).

Valid vehicle insurance documents

Updated insurance documents are required.

Valid technical certificate issued by either Fahes or Woqod.

All traffic fines should be cleared.

Documents like utility bills or a rental agreement are also required.

Benefits of Timely Istimara Renewal

There are multiple benefits to timely renewal of Istimara.

It helps to avoid fines and penalties.

It shows that the vehicle follows Qatari traffic laws.

When istimara is valid, vehicle insurance is valid. When istimara is invalid, the vehicle’s owner cannot claim the insurance.

Istimara Renewal Fee in Qatar? 

The Istimara renewal fee totally depends upon the type of vehicle. We are giving a table below about the Istimara fee based on vehicle type. 

Private light vehicles

QR 100

Bikes

QR 100

Private transport vehicle for passengers (Bus)

QR 150

Taxi car/ limousine

QR 200

Constructional, Agricultural, and Industrial Vehicles

QR 250

Credit or debit card can be used to pay istimara renewal fee online. After payment save or print the receipt.

What to Do If Istimara is Lost 

If Istimara (the vehicle registration card) is lost, the vehicle’s owner must go to the traffic department office to apply for a new one. Don’t forget to bring your Qatar ID card and bank card with you. The bank card will be used for payment. The vehicle’s owner will be charged some amount, and a new Istimara will be issued.

Types of Istimara

The Qatari government issues different types of Istimara. Each Istimara has its requirements and purposes. Some Istimaras are as follows:

Private Vehicle Istimara

This type of Istimara is issued to privately owned bikes and cars.

Heavy Equipment Istimara

This type of Istimara is issued to industrial activities and construction purposes; such as excavators, bulldozers, and cranes.

Commercial Vehicle Istimara

This type of Istimara is issued to commercial vehicles; such as buses and trucks.

Which data is available on the Istimara card?

The Istimara card contains following information:

Type of fuel used by the vehicle.

Number of cylinders in the vehicle’s engine.

The gross weight of the vehicle.

Engine and chassis number.

The expiry date of the Istimara.

Colour of the vehicle.

Date of the vehicle’s first registration.

Vehicle make, model, and year..

Owner’s name and ID number.

Vehicle registration number.

Every vehicle’s owner should have an updated Istimara. The Qatari government takes very strict actions against all the vehicle’s owners for having invalid Istimara. They face heavy fines and penalties.

What are the common mistakes to avoid when renewing Istimara?

There are some common mistakes that should be avoided while renewing Istimara. These mistakes are as follows:

The Istimara should be renewed before it expires. Delay in this process leads to unnecessary fines, penalties, and stress.

The vehicle’s owner should clear all the fines and penalties before renewing the Istimara.

The vehicle should be inspected by authorities before renewing the istimara. If it is not inspected the process of Istimara delays.

The vehicle’s owner should have complete vehicle documents. The documents The The vehicle’s owner should have complete vehicle documents. The documents included are the vehicle’s registration, owner’s driving license, and Qatari ID.

Emergency Extensions and Waivers

The vehicle’s owner can apply for an extension and waivers to renew Istimara, but there are some conditions for it. 

If the vehicle owner is facing some emergency, then he can file for an extension or waiver in the traffic department.

He has to provide proof of emergency to the authorities. 

The authorities will investigate and will provide an additional period to renew Istimara.

How can I update my information on the Istimara?

The vehicle’s owner should visit the traffic department office to update the information on Istimara.

Conclusion

The Istimara is an important document that proves a vehicle is legally registered in Qatar. Every vehicle owner must renew it before it expires to avoid fines and other legal issues. The renewal process is easy and can be done online or by visiting the Traffic Department. It is necessary to clear any traffic fines, have valid insurance, and pass a vehicle inspection. By renewing the Istimara on time, you ensure that your vehicle meets the legal requirements and stays on the road without problems.

Istimara is a vehicle registration card issued by the Ministry of Interior in Qatar. It serves as proof of legal vehicle ownership and is separate from a driving license.

You should renew your Istimara every year before its expiration. It is recommended to start the renewal process three months prior to avoid fines.

You will need your original Istimara card, valid Qatari ID, vehicle insurance, a technical inspection certificate, and proof that all traffic fines are cleared.

Yes, you can renew your Istimara online via the Ministry of Interior website or the Metrash2 app. The process is convenient and straightforward.

If you lose your Istimara, you need to visit the Traffic Department with your Qatari ID and bank card to apply for a replacement. A fee will be charged for the new Istimara.