Looking for essential tips on driving in Oman as a foreigner? As a resident of Oman, I am giving you all the necessary information to navigate this part of your trip safely.
Driving in Oman may be an important part of your trip when visiting the country. I would recommend you hire a car because public transport is quite scarce and Muscat’s metro is still at a project level. After learning these 9 tips on driving in Oman, you will be extra prepared to face driving in this new context.
A traditional bus stop – not frequently used.
1) As a tourist, you don’t need to have an International Driving License to drive in Oman
You only need a valid driver’s license .The minimum driving age is 18 for Omanis and 21 years old if you are a foreigner. It is compulsory to wear a seat belt and using your phone while driving is forbidden.
2) Cars drive on the right and the speed limit is 120 km/hour on highways
On main roads, the limit is 100 km/hour or 80 km/hour.
When driving, keep checking the speed limit because it tends to change regularly. This is especially important as roads in Oman have speed cameras at very regular intervals (you have been warned!). These will appear as grey and black cylinders on the side of the road.
There is a grace speed limit (buffer) of 15 kilometres per hour over the maximum official speed limit. But I would not rely on this too much as it isn’t always applied.
3) The slow lane on Omani roads tends to be… the middle lane
It is not really the right lane (although officially, it is). While we have all witnessed these ‘slow-coach’ drivers who hog the central lane – and sworn secretly at them in our cars, the practice is pervasive here. Drivers are supposed to overtake on the left but are often compelled to drive around the ‘middle lane plodders’ by zig-zagging over to the left – and to the right – in some kind of acrobatic dance. You will discover quite quickly that while Omanis are generally calm and reserved in daily life, they can become fairly ‘energetic’ when behind a steering wheel.
4) Road rage is illegal and honking the horn should be used sparingly
Tailgating – sometimes fairly aggressive – is unfortunately common and may get your blood boiling. But do remember that hurling insults or showing explicit gestures to a fellow driver is not allowed. The other driver could report you to the police.
In certain cases, drivers resort to a discreet – and not so discreet – ‘tuuuuut’ but this is not a daily habit in Oman.
5) You can get fined for having a dirty car
In a country that is mostly made up of desert, cars get extremely dusty and at an alarming rate. On the rare occasions when it rains, cars are left covered with brown smudges as the rain drops get tainted with sandy mud. As a result, the ROP (Royal Omani Police force) are allowed to give out fines to drivers (10 OMR) whose cars are not clean. This deterrent pushes Omanis to diligently get their cars cleaned on a regular basis. This is also true because, as in other Gulf countries, Omanis frequently invest in new and expensive cars.
You will find car cleaners in the car parks of most malls and the rate is very reasonable (around 1.5 OMR). You can also opt for an automatic car wash and should find one near petrol stations (around 2 OMR).
6) Driving in Oman in summer is a ‘sizzling experience’
When entering your car in summer (with 45 to 50 degrees outside), you will feel like a roast chicken until the AC kicks in. What’s more, your hands will tend to become an integral part of the steering wheel as the skin starts to stick to the simmering plastic. A few years ago, I saw a picture on Omani social media of someone driving with oven gloves (for a similar photo, see this picture). In the photograph, the temperature showed 49 degrees. While this was no doubt a spoof, you may wish you had some if you visit Oman between June and September!
7) The price of petrol in Oman is still incredibly low
Locals will insist that the price of petrol is much higher now than it used to be a few years ago. However, with an average price of O.240 OMR per litre for unleaded 95 (0.62 dollars and 0.58 euros), this is still much cheaper than what you would pay in New York or Paris.
At petrol stations, an attendant will always serve you and you can pay in cash or by bank card. By the way, at petrol stations, you will generally find a shop selling drinks, food and basic necessities (including an array of perfume bottles to cater for local taste!). There are also basic toilet facilities which you can either access within the shop premises or at the back of the building.
8) Managing meandering road hazards
Outside of Muscat, it is not uncommon to see herds of goats crossing the road. This is also true of stray donkeys in Al Amarat (about 40 kilometres from Muscat) and camels in the governate of Dhofar. You should especially be watchful at night as this can lead to some heavy injuries for the animals and seriously damage your car.
9) You find speed bumps everywhere.
Seriously, Oman seems to have a ‘festival of speed bumps’ – legal and illegal ones installed by locals. You can even buy speed bump systems online! They are sometimes indicated with a sign on the side of the road and should – technically – be painted over in yellow stripes. But in practice, this is not always the case. At night, I have on occasion had to suddenly brake furiously while having an interesting ‘flying experience’ and hoping my car won’t break in two!
This post was all about driving in Oman to help you feel as prepared as possible. I do hope it has given you some idea of the ‘unspoken’ driving rules of the country. Enjoy your driving experience and discovering the amazing scenery around!
You may find the following useful when driving in Oman: