Driving in Iceland vs. Oman: Key Differences Explained
When navigating the roads of Iceland and Oman, drivers will encounter notable contrasts in regulations and practices. From speed limits to the use of bus lanes, understanding these distinctions is essential for safe travel. This guide highlights key aspects of traffic norms in both countries, ensuring your driving experience abroad remains secure and informed.
Lanes
| Iceland | Oman | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 4 | List length: 5 |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses; usage by taxis is sometimes permitted. | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
iceland:
List length: 4
oman:
List length: 5
Bus Lanes: Presence
iceland:
Yes
oman:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
iceland:
Reserved for buses; usage by taxis is sometimes permitted.
oman:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
iceland:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
oman:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
iceland:
N/A
oman:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
iceland:
N/A
oman:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Iceland | Oman | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h on gravel roads | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h on paved roads | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h on paved roads | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Urban Areas: Standard
iceland:
50 km/h
oman:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
iceland:
30 km/h
oman:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
iceland:
80 km/h on gravel roads
oman:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
iceland:
90 km/h on paved roads
oman:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
iceland:
80 km/h on paved roads
oman:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
iceland:
90 km/h
oman:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
iceland:
90 km/h
oman:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
iceland:
80 km/h
oman:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
iceland:
N/A
oman:
N/A
Signals
| Iceland | Oman | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | N/A | Not used in Oman |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | N/A | Fines may apply for misuse |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | N/A | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Icelandic; symbols are standard | Arabic; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red borders | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
iceland:
N/A
oman:
Not used in Oman
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
iceland:
Signal when entering and exiting
oman:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
iceland:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
oman:
Unnecessary use discouraged
Horn Usage: Penalties
iceland:
N/A
oman:
Fines may apply for misuse
Hand Signals: Common Usage
iceland:
N/A
oman:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
iceland:
Icelandic; symbols are standard
oman:
Arabic; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
iceland:
Triangular with red borders
oman:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Iceland | Oman | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Not typically allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
iceland:
Not allowed
oman:
Not typically allowed
U- Turns Allowed
iceland:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs
oman:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Iceland | Oman | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required | Regular inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
iceland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
oman:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
iceland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
oman:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
iceland:
Annual inspection required
oman:
Regular inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
iceland:
Displayed on the windshield
oman:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
iceland:
Not mandatory
oman:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Iceland | Oman | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Use more frequent compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
iceland:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
oman:
Use more frequent compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Iceland | Oman | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% - zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial penalties can apply | Substantial fines |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and fine | Can result in license suspension and heavy penalties |
Limits: General Drivers
iceland:
0.05%
oman:
0.00%
Limits: Professional Drivers
iceland:
0.02%
oman:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
iceland:
0.00% - zero tolerance
oman:
0.00%
Enforcement: Fines
iceland:
Substantial penalties can apply
oman:
Substantial fines
Test Refusal
iceland:
Can result in license suspension and fine
oman:
Can result in license suspension and heavy penalties
Roundabouts
| Iceland | Oman | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Entering
iceland:
Signal when entering and exiting
oman:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
iceland:
Signal when preparing to exit
oman:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Iceland | Oman | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 9999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | National Police number 112 | 9999 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact local towing services or insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
iceland:
112
oman:
9999
Contact: Traffic Police
iceland:
National Police number 112
oman:
9999
Contact: Roadside Assistance
iceland:
Contact local towing services or insurance provider
oman:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
iceland:
Not mandatory
oman:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Iceland | Oman | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can be substantial depending on the offense | Varies; fines can be substantial |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory; fines apply | Fines may apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines if found using without hands-free | Fines may apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | Fines can be substantial |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines often need to be paid promptly | Common |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically must be paid within specific time frame | Varies; ensure timely payment |
Common Fines: Speeding
iceland:
Varies; fines can be substantial depending on the offense
oman:
Varies; fines can be substantial
Common Fines: Alcohol
iceland:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
oman:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
iceland:
Mandatory; fines apply
oman:
Fines may apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
iceland:
Fines if found using without hands-free
oman:
Fines may apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
iceland:
Fines and points on license
oman:
Fines can be substantial
Payment: On The Spot
iceland:
Possible; fines often need to be paid promptly
oman:
Common
Payment: Deadline
iceland:
Varies; typically must be paid within specific time frame
oman:
Varies; ensure timely payment