Exchanging UK driving license, not for wives????!!!!

I came on a tourist visa and have been driving on my international license. Just got my RP and Qatar ID today so will go and transfer my home license to Qatari license. I have been told to stop driving from today until this process has been completed. Apparently cannot use International license once RP granted. So back to using a driver for about a week I think. Only Americans have to do a driving test.

It is perfectly possible (if you have a UK driving licence) but you may want to apply for a temporary licence to start driving straight away. I've been here almost 4 weeks now and am sponsored by my husband. We are from the UK and I have a full UK driving licence. (Didn't have time to get our International Driving Permit, which would've made a HUGE difference). We both applied for our temporary Qatar driving licences at the same time. (He has not yet got his RP). We took his completed application form provided from his employer to the opticians for the eye test. Whilst there, I did my test too, and they had a blank application form there for me, which my husband signed as my sponsor. (I don't know if all opticians will provide these, so get a form first, just in case). We both needed 2 passport photos on a blue background (if you wear glasses for driving, you must be wearing them in the photo). We then took these to the Traffic Department at Madinat Khalifa (check opening times and ensure you arrive before 6.30pm if going in the evening) and they were processed. You need to pay 150QR each by credit or debit card. I also needed a letter in Arabic to say I was requesting a temporary licence and am sponsored by my husband. (We got this from one of the local printing/copying shops that have sprung up near the traffic office to meet demand). I was given my licence then, but it expires when my visit visa expires. When I extend my visit visa I must then return to renew my temporary driving licence. When eventually I get RP, I can have my temporary licence changed for a permanent one. I'm making this sound very straightforward, but I have learnt that the processes here are never simple and I must expect new rules or quirky little surprise rules to appear with no logic, rhyme or reason. (Or to be given incorrect information from an official source, which seems to have been your experience). We had to make 2 trips to the traffic office (almost 3, until we politely challenged a refusal) and it seems to depend who is processing the forms. Our friends have had similar experiences, with a wide range of differing reasons for acceptance or non-acceptance of applications. It's very difficult to get a clear answer about exactly what is needed, and quite unusual to get a licence issued on the first visit. Patience and a sense of humour are essential to the process! I must add however, that during the process, some of the staff were extremely friendly and helpful. Good luck with settling in and getting driving again!

It seems Americans have to take a test here not UK citizens

Definately not true ! once you have RP you can go to traffic department and get a Qatar Licence