Let’s get straight to the purpose: if you happen to’re pondering of visiting Oman we’d advocate hiring a automotive to completely immerse yourselves on this unimaginable nation. However what’s driving in Oman like? On this put up I’m sharing what it is advisable know based mostly on our expertise dwelling right here.
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Throughout our first six months in Oman we drove within the cities, on rural highways, within the Hajar Mountains and within the desert.
We accomplished a seven day highway journey, drove from Muscat to Barr Al Hickman throughout salt flats and travelled Oman’s roads after tropical downpours and in the course of the 50°C warmth waves.
Even in any case this I’d not name us consultants. We’ve travelled with mates and guides when going off highway and would advise different individuals to do the identical.
We even have lots extra locations to see and issues to do in Oman. However if you happen to’re right here for per week or two this put up offers you perception into the foundations of the highway and what to anticipate.
Need assistance planning different facets of your journey?
Learn my Oman journey information.
Is driving in Oman simple?
Once we moved to Oman we have been warned that driving right here might be difficult. As UK drivers there’s not simply the change from the left facet to the precise facet of the highway to contemplate.
Till 40 years in the past there have been only a few roads in Oman, so they’re largely in good situation. However fast improvement of the highway community means a few of the layouts are spaghetti-like, significantly junctions alongside the city highways.
Most highway indicators are in Arabic and English so are simple to learn. However anticipate the spelling of place names to range between your map app/SAT NAV and indicators.
Generally the identical place might be spelt otherwise on indicators at a number of factors alongside the identical highway.
For navigation we have now discovered Waze to be the very best app. However you will have a value efficient information roaming package deal or a neighborhood SIM card. You may decide up a SIM from the Omantel kiosk simply after safety in Muscat Worldwide Airport.
Should you desire to be off grid, you possibly can obtain Google Maps however we’ve discovered even the dwell model isn’t that up-to-date.
High tip: Remember that in automotive cell phone holders are unlawful, even in case you are utilizing your cellphone for navigation. You’ll want navigator within the entrance passenger seat that can assist you route discover.
Is driving in Oman protected?
There are strict highway security guidelines in Oman and the variety of accidents on Oman’s roads has been lowering in response to authorities statistics.
Nevertheless, 434 individuals have been killed in collisions right here in 2021 in comparison with 1,558 within the UK in the identical yr. The inhabitants of Oman is lower than seven p.c of the UK’s, so there’s clearly further danger to driving in Oman.
From our expertise driving right here day by day, we have now discovered the Omani driving type might be erratic.
Count on different drivers to manoeuvre with out indicating. Automobiles will pull over on the facet of the freeway after which rejoin the carriageway with out checking their mirrors.
Tailgating is widespread, as is endeavor and cell phone use whereas driving. All these items have been made unlawful in recent times however in follow they nonetheless occur.
One thing you’re extraordinarily unlikely to see is highway rage. Omani’s solely honk their horns in excessive circumstances (it’s additionally unlawful to honk with out good motive). So, maintain calm and maintain your wits about you.
Hiring a automotive in Oman
Until you’re a household on a gradual journey journey you’re in all probability restricted for time. Because of this we advocate hiring a automotive in case you are visiting Oman with youngsters.
This offers you extra freedom and permit you to not be tied to timetables. You’ll additionally be capable of see extra of the nation and possibly even expertise wild tenting.
You may rent autos of all sizes from Europcar, Enterprise, Greenback, Finances and Alamo at Muscat Worldwide Airport and Salalah Worldwide Airport.
To rent a automotive you’ll want your UK or house nation drivers license, your passport, a bank card and your Oman Visa.
In case you are headed to the mountains you will have a 4×4, even if you happen to don’t intend to go off highway. The primary mountain roads are steep and windy, and there are police examine factors on the backside. They cease you to verify your car is match for the journey.
Rent vehicles gained’t essentially include sat nav, so be sure to have an alternate means to navigate whether or not that’s a paper map or a navigation app. However don’t overlook that cell phone holders are unlawful.
Evaluate automotive rent costs*
Are you able to drive in Oman with a UK license?
Sure. As a vacationer you possibly can drive in Oman for as much as three months in your UK license – that’s greater than sufficient for a seven or 10 day highway journey. You don’t require an Worldwide driving license for Oman.
Should you’re travelling from one other nation examine the necessities together with your Overseas Workplace.
Pace limits in Oman
Dashing is the primary reason behind accidents in Oman so that you’ll discover plenty of mechanisms in place to discourage drivers from being too heavy with their proper foot.
All vehicles are fitted with an alarm that can beep at you if you happen to go over the utmost nationwide velocity restrict of 120 kmph. That is the restrict on main highways.
On city roads the restrict is often 50 kmph.
There are a great deal of velocity cameras on the freeway and site visitors gentle cameras on smaller roads.
Nevertheless, there’s solely minor penalties for rushing. Get caught and the superb is 20 OMR.
Site visitors lights
The site visitors gentle sequence in Oman is barely completely different to the UK. When the lights are inexperienced they’ll flash inexperienced earlier than going straight to crimson. Don’t be tempted to squeeze by on a flashing inexperienced gentle. There is no such thing as a amber earlier than crimson.
When stopped at site visitors lights the sequence will go from crimson to amber to inexperienced as you would possibly anticipate within the UK. Once more, don’t transfer off till the lights go inexperienced.
The timing of the site visitors lights may also range relying on the time of day and weight of site visitors.
Driving by a crimson site visitors gentle carries a penalty of as much as 500 OMR and as much as a yr in jail. There are cameras at virtually each set of site visitors lights.
Stealth velocity bumps
Pace bumps are widespread on smaller roads and so they can creep up on you with out warning.
They’ll range in measurement and there are hardly ever indicators to warn you about them. Usually the yellow stripes are utterly warn away making them very arduous to identify.
Should you’re actually fortunate you would possibly even come throughout double bumps.
So, maintain your eyes peeled.
Youngster automotive seats in Oman
Should you’re visiting Oman with youngsters underneath the age of 4 it’s a authorized requirement for them to have a automotive seat in personal and employed vehicles in addition to taxis.
In case you are hiring a automotive you possibly can examine with the rental firm whether or not they can provide a seat.
Nevertheless I’d strongly advise you to deliver your personal, particularly for youngsters over the age of 4. As these usually are not a authorized requirement in Oman they don’t seem to be broadly obtainable for older kids.
Airways will mean you can deliver a automotive seat per little one for no further cost. Purchase a automotive seat bag for some further safety.
We are able to advocate the Roam and Rove automotive seat bag*. It has ruck sack type shoulder straps so you possibly can carry your seat palms free on the airport.
Going off highway in Oman
Should you fancy an off highway journey in Oman it’s finest to organise these with a information or tour firm.
We booked a information to go off highway throughout the salt marshes to camp on the white sands of Barr Al Hickman.
You might end up in a dangerous scenario going off highway and getting caught within the desert or mountains. You may also discover your automotive rent firm prohibits you from off roading.
Goats, camels and pedestrians
You’ll discover all of them on Oman’s roads – the camels and goats extra so outdoors the cities. The goats are a daily characteristic at Wadi Shab.
In Muscat it’s widespread for pedestrians to cross roads in harmful locations, even six lane highways, relatively than stroll to the closest underpass or foot bridge. Be careful for them dodging between site visitors.
Parking
There’s plenty of free parking in Oman. You gained’t be charged at vacationer websites or within the buying malls.
Parking in industrial areas like Muttrah Corniche is free on Fridays and Saturdays however not within the working week, so maintain a watch out for indicators. You’ll have to pay by cellphone.
Gas costs in Oman
Let’s finish on a optimistic! Gas is less expensive in Oman than outdoors the Center East.
On the time of penning this information a litre of petrol was 0.229 OMR, which works out at about 46p per litre.
Gas costs don’t range between petrol stations so there’s no want to buy round.
This makes hiring a automotive in Oman a value efficient method to see the nation.
Petrol stations are properly signal posted and have pump attendants.
Closing ideas on driving in Oman
‘Defensive driving’ is a phrase usually used about driving in Oman. And I believe so long as you retain that in thoughts you’ll be superb.
The problem is value it for the liberty it offers you to discover a rustic that in any other case has fairly restricted public transport. The landscapes you’ll see alongside the way in which are unimaginable.
For route inspiration check out our Oman highway journey itinerary.
Should you’d like to search out out extra about holidaying on this a part of the Center East take a look at my Oman journey information. It contains tips about visiting with your loved ones, what to pack and locations to go to together with the very best wadis in Oman and Sultan Taboos Grand Mosque.
Disclosure: this put up comprises affiliate hyperlinks marked with *. Should you click on on one among these hyperlinks and make a purchase order I could earn some fee. This doesn’t have an effect on the worth you pay.
