Driving Differences: New Zealand vs Oman Safety Tips
Explore the intriguing contrasts in road regulations and practices between New Zealand and Oman. While Kiwis drive on the left and enforce a 50 km/h speed limit in urban areas, Omanis navigate on the right, with varying speed limits up to 120 km/h on highways. Understanding these disparities is crucial for ensuring a secure driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| New zealand | Oman | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the right edge on divided roads. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses during certain hours. | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and green pavement. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Driving Side
new zealand:
Left
oman:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
new zealand:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
oman:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Right
new zealand:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right.
oman:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
new zealand:
Use leftmost lane.
oman:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
new zealand:
Yes
oman:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
new zealand:
Reserved for buses during certain hours.
oman:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
new zealand:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
oman:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
new zealand:
Bicycle symbols and green pavement.
oman:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
new zealand:
Not applicable
oman:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
new zealand:
Yes
oman:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
new zealand:
Electronic signs display current limits.
oman:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| New zealand | Oman | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | No; fines are usually mailed after citation | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
new zealand:
50 km/h
oman:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
new zealand:
50 km/h
oman:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
new zealand:
100 km/h
oman:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
new zealand:
100 km/h
oman:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
new zealand:
90 km/h
oman:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
new zealand:
100 km/h
oman:
120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
new zealand:
90 km/h
oman:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
new zealand:
Yes
oman:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
new zealand:
Electronic signs display current limits
oman:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
new zealand:
No; fines are usually mailed after citation
oman:
Yes
Signals
| New zealand | Oman | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in New Zealand | 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 |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | Arabic; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
new zealand:
Not used in New Zealand
oman:
Not used in Oman
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
new zealand:
Signal when entering and exiting
oman:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
new zealand:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
oman:
Unnecessary use discouraged
Traffic Signs: Language
new zealand:
English; symbols are standard
oman:
Arabic; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
new zealand:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
oman:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| New zealand | Oman | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Not typically allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless prohibited by a sign | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
new zealand:
Not allowed
oman:
Not typically allowed
U- Turns Allowed
new zealand:
Permitted unless prohibited by a sign
oman:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| New zealand | 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 | Regular inspection required; proof may be required | Regular inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
new zealand:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
oman:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
new zealand:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
oman:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
new zealand:
Regular inspection required; proof may be required
oman:
Regular inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
new zealand:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
oman:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
new zealand:
Not mandatory
oman:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
new zealand:
Not mandatory
oman:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| New zealand | Oman | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Use more frequent compared to some countries |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at marked crossings | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Move to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
new zealand:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
oman:
Use more frequent compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
new zealand:
Pedestrians have right of way at marked crossings
oman:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
new zealand:
Move to the left and stop if necessary
oman:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| New zealand | Oman | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used regularly | Common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines, can vary widely | Substantial fines |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and other penalties | Can result in license suspension and heavy penalties |
Limits: General Drivers
new zealand:
0.05%
oman:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
new zealand:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
oman:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
new zealand:
Substantial fines, can vary widely
oman:
Substantial fines
Test Refusal
new zealand:
Can result in license suspension and other penalties
oman:
Can result in license suspension and heavy penalties
Roundabouts
| New zealand | Oman | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal left if making an immediate left turn upon entry | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
Signaling: Entering
new zealand:
Signal left if making an immediate left turn upon entry
oman:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Emergency Services
| New zealand | Oman | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 111 | 9999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 111 | 9999 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 0800 500 222 for AA (Automobile Association) | 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
new zealand:
111
oman:
9999
Contact: Traffic Police
new zealand:
111
oman:
9999
Contact: Roadside Assistance
new zealand:
0800 500 222 for AA (Automobile Association)
oman:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
new zealand:
Not mandatory, but recommended
oman:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
new zealand:
Not mandatory, but recommended
oman:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| New zealand | Oman | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $30 to $630, points on license | Varies; fines can be substantial |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | $150, points may also apply | Fines may apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | $80 to $150, points in some circumstances | Fines may apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $150, points on license | Fines can be substantial |
| Payment: On The Spot | No; fines usually paid online or by mail | Common |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 28 days to pay | Varies; ensure timely payment |
Common Fines: Speeding
new zealand:
Varies; $30 to $630, points on license
oman:
Varies; fines can be substantial
Common Fines: Alcohol
new zealand:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
oman:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
new zealand:
$150, points may also apply
oman:
Fines may apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
new zealand:
$80 to $150, points in some circumstances
oman:
Fines may apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
new zealand:
$150, points on license
oman:
Fines can be substantial
Payment: On The Spot
new zealand:
No; fines usually paid online or by mail
oman:
Common
Payment: Deadline
new zealand:
Varies; typically 28 days to pay
oman:
Varies; ensure timely payment