Norway vs Oman: Driving Differences You Must Know
When navigating the roads of Norway and Oman, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that influence their travel experience. Key variances include speed limits, the use of bus lanes, and alcohol consumption laws. Understanding these crucial driving customs will help ensure a safe and enjoyable journey in either country.
Lanes
| Norway | Oman | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Used to separate traffic moving in opposite directions. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not standard in Norway. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Only permitted in specific situations, e.g., if the vehicle in front has signaled a left turn. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Minimum two or more occupants | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
norway:
Used to separate traffic moving in opposite directions.
oman:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
norway:
Not standard in Norway.
oman:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
norway:
Only permitted in specific situations, e.g., if the vehicle in front has signaled a left turn.
oman:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Presence
norway:
Yes
oman:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
norway:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
oman:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
norway:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
oman:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
norway:
Yes
oman:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
norway:
Minimum two or more occupants
oman:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
norway:
Yes
oman:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
norway:
Electronic signs display current limits.
oman:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Norway | Oman | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90-110 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | N/A |
Urban Areas: Standard
norway:
30-50 km/h
oman:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
norway:
30 km/h
oman:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
norway:
80 km/h
oman:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
norway:
80 km/h
oman:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
norway:
90-110 km/h
oman:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
norway:
90-100 km/h
oman:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
norway:
80 km/h
oman:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
norway:
Yes
oman:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
norway:
Electronic signs display current limits
oman:
N/A
Signals
| Norway | Oman | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Norway | Not used in Oman |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Norwegian; symbols are standard, with English in some places | Arabic; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with red border | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
norway:
Not used in Norway
oman:
Not used in Oman
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
norway:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
oman:
Unnecessary use discouraged
Traffic Signs: Language
norway:
Norwegian; symbols are standard, with English in some places
oman:
Arabic; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
norway:
Triangular-shaped with red border
oman:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Norway | Oman | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Not typically allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
norway:
Not allowed
oman:
Not typically allowed
U- Turns Allowed
norway:
Varies by locality; check for signs
oman:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Norway | Oman | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with a national driving license | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic inspection required | Regular inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | None | Displayed on windshield |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
norway:
Accepted with a national driving license
oman:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
norway:
International Driving Permit recommended
oman:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
norway:
Yes, periodic inspection required
oman:
Regular inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
norway:
None
oman:
Displayed on windshield
Road Etiquette
| Norway | 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
norway:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
oman:
Use more frequent compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Norway | Oman | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used frequently | Common |
| Enforcement: Fines | High fines and possible license revocation | Substantial fines |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and heavy penalties |
Limits: General Drivers
norway:
0.02%
oman:
0.00%
Limits: Professional Drivers
norway:
0.02%
oman:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
norway:
0.00%; zero tolerance
oman:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
norway:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
oman:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
norway:
High fines and possible license revocation
oman:
Substantial fines
Test Refusal
norway:
Can result in license suspension
oman:
Can result in license suspension and heavy penalties
Emergency Services
| Norway | Oman | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 9999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 02800 | 9999 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or NAF | Check with your insurance provider |
Contact: General Emergency
norway:
112
oman:
9999
Contact: Traffic Police
norway:
02800
oman:
9999
Contact: Roadside Assistance
norway:
Check with your insurance provider or NAF
oman:
Check with your insurance provider
Penalties And Fines
| Norway | Oman | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines and possible points on license | Varies; fines can be substantial |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment | Substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | 1500 NOK | Fines may apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | 1700 NOK | Fines may apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; substantial fines | Fines can be substantial |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, typically required | Common |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; ensure timely payment |
Common Fines: Speeding
norway:
Varies; substantial fines and possible points on license
oman:
Varies; fines can be substantial
Common Fines: Alcohol
norway:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
oman:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
norway:
1500 NOK
oman:
Fines may apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
norway:
1700 NOK
oman:
Fines may apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
norway:
Varies; substantial fines
oman:
Fines can be substantial
Payment: On The Spot
norway:
Yes, typically required
oman:
Common
Payment: Deadline
norway:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
oman:
Varies; ensure timely payment