File photo used for representation only.
Doha, Qatar: The Ministry of Interior (MoI) will begin the installation of newly developed license plates for all newly registered private vehicles starting April 1, 2026, in accordance with the announcement issued in December last year.
This move marks the beginning of the second phase of the Vehicle Number Plate Replacement Project first unveiled by the Ministry on December 12, 2025 to strengthen the visual identity of vehicle plates and standardise them according to clearer and more precise criteria in order to enhance traffic systems by utilising advanced digital technologies.
Under the second phase, private vehicles registered for the first time in the vehicle licensing system will be assigned available letters within the numbering system, such as Q, T, or R, in accordance with the approved sequence. This is scheduled to be implemented on April 1, 2026.
The implementation of the Vehicle Number Plate Replacement Project is being rolled out in three phases to ensure a smooth transition for motorists in Qatar. The first phase was conducted on December 13 to 16, 2025 wherein owners who obtained special plate numbers through the Sooum application had been allocated the letter (Q).
Following the second phase in April, the third phase will eventually include all currently licensed private vehicles whose plates will be replaced by adding the letter (Q) to their existing numbers. The Ministry also noted that the timeline for the implementation of this stage will be announced at a later date.
Until the official announcement of these timelines, the Ministry confirmed that "existing vehicle plates will continue to be used for permit renewals or plate damage until the scheduled implementation of the replacement plan for currently registered vehicles begins."
