Driving in Cuba vs. Oman: Key Safety Differences
Explore the fascinating contrasts in road regulations between Cuba and Oman. While both nations have unique driving customs, key highlights include Cuba’s flexible overtaking rules and Oman’s strict speed limits and zero tolerance for alcohol. Understanding these distinctions is vital for ensuring a safe and enjoyable journey abroad.
Lanes
| Cuba | Oman | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Not typical; follow local rules and signs. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 4 | List length: 5 |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use the rightmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Rare | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Bicycles may share the road with motor vehicles. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Road signs or painted indicators where applicable. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
Overtaking: On Right
cuba:
Not typical; follow local rules and signs.
oman:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
cuba:
List length: 4
oman:
List length: 5
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
cuba:
Use the rightmost lane.
oman:
Use rightmost lane.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
cuba:
Rare
oman:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
cuba:
Bicycles may share the road with motor vehicles.
oman:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
cuba:
Road signs or painted indicators where applicable.
oman:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Speeds Limits
| Cuba | Oman | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-40 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 50-70 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90-100 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Rare | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; enforced by traffic police | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
cuba:
40-50 km/h
oman:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
cuba:
30-40 km/h
oman:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
cuba:
60-80 km/h
oman:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
cuba:
60-80 km/h
oman:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
cuba:
50-70 km/h
oman:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
cuba:
90-100 km/h
oman:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
cuba:
90-100 km/h
oman:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
cuba:
80-90 km/h
oman:
100 km/h
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
cuba:
Rare
oman:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
cuba:
Common; enforced by traffic police
oman:
Yes
Signals
| Cuba | Oman | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Cuba | Not used in Oman |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | Arabic; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
cuba:
Not used in Cuba
oman:
Not used in Oman
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
cuba:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
oman:
Unnecessary use discouraged
Traffic Signs: Language
cuba:
Spanish; symbols are standard
oman:
Arabic; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
cuba:
Triangular with red border
oman:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Cuba | Oman | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Not typically allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by area, check for local signs | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
cuba:
Not allowed
oman:
Not typically allowed
U- Turns Allowed
cuba:
Varies by area, check for local signs
oman:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Cuba | Oman | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required | Regular inspection required |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
cuba:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
oman:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
cuba:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
oman:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
cuba:
Annual inspection required
oman:
Regular inspection required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
cuba:
Not mandatory
oman:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
cuba:
Not mandatory
oman:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Cuba | Oman | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | More frequent use than in some countries | Use more frequent compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
cuba:
More frequent use than in some countries
oman:
Use more frequent compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Cuba | Oman | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas | Common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Substantial fines |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and heavy penalties |
Limits: General Drivers
cuba:
0.05%
oman:
0.00%
Limits: Professional Drivers
cuba:
0.02%
oman:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
cuba:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
oman:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
cuba:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
oman:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
cuba:
Varies; can be substantial
oman:
Substantial fines
Test Refusal
cuba:
Can result in license suspension
oman:
Can result in license suspension and heavy penalties
Emergency Services
| Cuba | Oman | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 106 | 9999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 106 | 9999 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Varies by provider; national lines may apply | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
cuba:
106
oman:
9999
Contact: Traffic Police
cuba:
106
oman:
9999
Contact: Roadside Assistance
cuba:
Varies by provider; national lines may apply
oman:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
cuba:
Not mandatory, but recommended
oman:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
cuba:
Not mandatory, but recommended
oman:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Cuba | Oman | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; typically $10 to $100 equivalent, local currency | Varies; fines can be substantial |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fine equivalent varies, local currency | Fines may apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fine equivalent varies, local currency | Fines may apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fine equivalent varies, local currency | Fines can be substantial |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; usually paid directly to officers | Common |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically a few weeks to pay | Varies; ensure timely payment |
Common Fines: Speeding
cuba:
Varies; typically $10 to $100 equivalent, local currency
oman:
Varies; fines can be substantial
Common Fines: Alcohol
cuba:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
oman:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
cuba:
Fine equivalent varies, local currency
oman:
Fines may apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
cuba:
Fine equivalent varies, local currency
oman:
Fines may apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
cuba:
Fine equivalent varies, local currency
oman:
Fines can be substantial
Payment: On The Spot
cuba:
Common; usually paid directly to officers
oman:
Common
Payment: Deadline
cuba:
Varies; typically a few weeks to pay
oman:
Varies; ensure timely payment