Oman attracts a steady stream of tourists and investors all year round. Once you arrive in Oman, one of the essential tasks is renting a car and hitting the road.
It’s crucial for every newcomer to be aware of the driving conditions and the process of obtaining a driver’s license.
Stick with us to learn about the prerequisites for securing a driver’s license in Oman, and make sure to stay tuned until the end of this video.
Driving license in Oman
For tourists, the combination of their home country’s driver’s license and an International Driving Permit (IDP) allows them to drive in Oman for a maximum of 90 days. After this duration expires, they must apply for an Omani driver’s license.
If your intention is to become a resident of Oman, you’ll need to obtain a certificate after obtaining a residence card. If you hail from a country outside of the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council, you’ll typically need to attend driving classes and pass a test. However, citizens of the UK, US, and several EU member states are exempt from taking the test. If you confirm with the Royal Oman Police that your country also qualifies for exemption from the in-person test, you should follow the procedure that applies to citizens of the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council countries, which we will further explain in the rest of this article.
Irrespective of gender, obtaining a driver’s license in Oman is open to individuals who are at least 18 years old and do not have any medical conditions that might impede safe driving.
The initial step in acquiring a driving license in Oman involves registering your personal details with the Royal Oman Police Department (ROP) and coordinating with a certified driving instructor. It’s important to note that all instructors are native Omanis. Furthermore, female learners who prefer female instructors have that option available. The ROP will provide a “green book” to the learner, which serves as a record of all driving test activities. This book also contains a compilation of traffic signs that the ‘Regulations Test’ will assess.
Omani Driving Examination: A Two-Phase Process for Success
In Oman, the driving examination consists of two distinct phases, which we will detail as follows:
Mastering the Omani Driving Test: Tips for Phase 1
The initial stage encompasses three tests conducted on the same day: the sign test, the parking test, and the slope-based car control test. With diligent preparation, especially for the sign test, and sufficient practice, passing all these tests in a single attempt should be achievable. Below, we provide some helpful tips for each of these tests:
Traffic Sign Assessment:
An ROP officer conducts a brief verbal examination known as the traffic sign evaluation to assess your familiarity with essential traffic signs. Typically, this examination lasts only a few minutes.
You can find a comprehensive compilation of traffic signs in your test booklet provided by the ROP. Likewise, within the examination premises at ROP offices, you will encounter displays featuring traffic sign diagrams.
Parking Evaluation:
The parking examination holds a pivotal role in the initial stage. Consequently, it is crucial to allocate sufficient practice time to master this test, ensuring a smooth pass.
Car Control Assessment:
As implied by its name, this assessment gauges your ability to maneuver your vehicle on an upward incline without any noise, instability, or uncontrolled backward movement after coming to a stop.
Mastering the Omani Driving Test: Tips for Phase 2
Upon successfully completing the stage 1 assessments, you become eligible to proceed to stage 2, which entails a practical test conducted under actual driving conditions.
Navigating Omani Driving Regulations: Key Rules and Requirements
To conclude, it’s essential to reiterate the key driving regulations in Oman.
Critical Omani Driving Regulations: From Seat Belts to Parking Etiquette
The legal age requirement for obtaining a driver’s license is 18 years old, and individuals must adhere to it.
Tourists in Oman can rent cars if they are over 21 years of age, but those below this age do not qualify to rent vehicles.
Disregarding a red traffic light constitutes a highly severe offense applicable to all individuals, whether they are citizens, immigrants, or visitors. If someone commits such an infraction, they will not only face a monetary penalty but will also be deemed culpable and subject to incarceration. In accordance with the requirements for acquiring a driver’s license in Oman, individuals with a history of imprisonment are restricted from exiting the country.
Failure to wear a seat belt is a crucial safety requirement, and any breach of this law is subject to stringent penalties.
Additionally, consuming food, beverages, or using mobile phones while driving is strictly prohibited and constitutes a serious violation.
In accordance with the prerequisites for obtaining a driver’s license in Oman, specific designated parking lots and areas have been designated for parking vehicles. Therefore, parking in public spaces such as in front of bus stops, taxi stands, office complexes, commercial buildings, and the like is prohibited. Failure to pay the parking fee in public parking areas will result in a fine of 10 rials.
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