Driving in Oman vs Samoa: Key Safety Differences
When exploring the roads of Oman and Samoa, drivers encounter notable contrasts that impact their journey. From the side of the road they navigate—right in Oman versus left in Samoa—to varying speed limits and traffic regulations, understanding these distinctions is vital for ensuring a safe and smooth ride. Stay informed to enhance your driving experience abroad!
Lanes
Oman | Samoa | |
---|---|---|
Driving Side | Right | Left |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the centerline on two-way roads. |
Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No |
Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Yes |
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | N/A |
Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | N/A |
Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | N/A |
Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | N/A |
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
oman:
Right
samoa:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
oman:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
samoa:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads.
Overtaking: On Left
oman:
Yes
samoa:
No
Overtaking: On Right
oman:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
samoa:
Yes
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
oman:
Use rightmost lane.
samoa:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
oman:
N/A
samoa:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
oman:
N/A
samoa:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
oman:
Yes
samoa:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
oman:
Exclusive for bicycles.
samoa:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
oman:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
samoa:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
oman:
N/A
samoa:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
oman:
N/A
samoa:
N/A
Speeds Limits
Oman | Samoa | |
---|---|---|
Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 25-40 km/h |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 20 km/h |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 55-80 km/h |
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 55-80 km/h |
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 55-80 km/h |
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 km/h | Not applicable |
Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | Not applicable |
Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 100 km/h | Not applicable |
Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Urban Areas: Standard
oman:
40-60 km/h
samoa:
25-40 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
oman:
40 km/h
samoa:
20 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
oman:
80-100 km/h
samoa:
55-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
oman:
80-100 km/h
samoa:
55-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
oman:
80 km/h
samoa:
55-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
oman:
120 km/h
samoa:
Not applicable
Highways: Buses And Vans
oman:
100 km/h
samoa:
Not applicable
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
oman:
100 km/h
samoa:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
oman:
N/A
samoa:
N/A
Signals
Oman | Samoa | |
---|---|---|
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Oman | Not used in Samoa |
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
Traffic Signs: Language | Arabic; symbols are standard | English and Samoan; symbols are standard |
Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
oman:
Not used in Oman
samoa:
Not used in Samoa
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
oman:
Unnecessary use discouraged
samoa:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
oman:
Arabic; symbols are standard
samoa:
English and Samoan; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
oman:
Triangle-shaped with red border
samoa:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
Oman | Samoa | |
---|---|---|
Right Turn On Red | Not typically allowed | Not allowed |
U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
oman:
Not typically allowed
samoa:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
oman:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
samoa:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
Oman | Samoa | |
---|---|---|
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with International Driving Permit | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with International Driving Permit | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Regular inspection required | Annual inspection required |
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
oman:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
samoa:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
oman:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
samoa:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
oman:
Regular inspection required
samoa:
Annual inspection required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
oman:
Mandatory
samoa:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
oman:
Recommended
samoa:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
Oman | Samoa | |
---|---|---|
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Use more frequent compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
oman:
Use more frequent compared to some countries
samoa:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
oman:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
samoa:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
Oman | Samoa | |
---|---|---|
Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.08% |
Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance |
Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines | Varies; can be substantial |
Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and heavy penalties | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
oman:
0.00%
samoa:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
oman:
0.00%
samoa:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
oman:
0.00%
samoa:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Fines
oman:
Substantial fines
samoa:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
oman:
Can result in license suspension and heavy penalties
samoa:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
Oman | Samoa | |
---|---|---|
Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
oman:
Signal right when preparing to exit
samoa:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
Oman | Samoa | |
---|---|---|
Contact: General Emergency | 9999 | 911 |
Contact: Traffic Police | 9999 | 685-22-222 |
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
oman:
9999
samoa:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
oman:
9999
samoa:
685-22-222
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
oman:
Mandatory
samoa:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
oman:
Recommended
samoa:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
Oman | Samoa | |
---|---|---|
Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can be substantial | Varies; ST$50 to ST$500, points on license |
Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines may apply | ST$100 to ST$200 |
Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines may apply | ST$50 to ST$300 |
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines can be substantial | ST$100 to ST$500, points on license |
Payment: On The Spot | Common | Yes; fines usually paid online or by mail afterwards |
Payment: Deadline | Varies; ensure timely payment | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
oman:
Varies; fines can be substantial
samoa:
Varies; ST$50 to ST$500, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
oman:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
samoa:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
oman:
Fines may apply
samoa:
ST$100 to ST$200
Common Fines: Phone Use
oman:
Fines may apply
samoa:
ST$50 to ST$300
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
oman:
Fines can be substantial
samoa:
ST$100 to ST$500, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
oman:
Common
samoa:
Yes; fines usually paid online or by mail afterwards
Payment: Deadline
oman:
Varies; ensure timely payment
samoa:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay