Driving in Oman vs South Africa: Key Differences Explained
When traversing the roads of Oman and South Africa, motorists encounter notable variations in regulations and road etiquette. Key differences include driving on the right in Oman versus the left in South Africa, contrasting speed limits, and distinct approaches to alcohol tolerance. Understanding these disparities is essential for ensuring a secure driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Oman | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the right edge on roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Used to demarcate lanes on certain roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | Allowed |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Prohibited unless turning. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
oman:
Right
south africa:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
oman:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
south africa:
Marks the right edge on roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
oman:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
south africa:
Used to demarcate lanes on certain roads.
Overtaking: On Left
oman:
Yes
south africa:
Allowed
Overtaking: On Right
oman:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
south africa:
Prohibited unless turning.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
oman:
Use rightmost lane.
south africa:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
oman:
No
south africa:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
oman:
N/A
south africa:
Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings.
Bus Lanes: Markings
oman:
N/A
south africa:
May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
oman:
N/A
south africa:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
oman:
N/A
south africa:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Oman | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes, common in South Africa |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
oman:
80-100 km/h
south africa:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
oman:
80-100 km/h
south africa:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
oman:
80 km/h
south africa:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
oman:
100 km/h
south africa:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
oman:
100 km/h
south africa:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
oman:
N/A
south africa:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
oman:
Yes
south africa:
Yes, common in South Africa
Signals
| Oman | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Oman | Not used in South Africa |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Arabic; symbols are standard | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Triangular shape with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
oman:
Not used in Oman
south africa:
Not used in South Africa
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
oman:
Unnecessary use discouraged
south africa:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
oman:
Arabic; symbols are standard
south africa:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
oman:
Triangle-shaped with red border
south africa:
Triangular shape with a red border
Turns
| Oman | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not typically allowed | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed at designated places; check for signs. |
Right Turn On Red
oman:
Not typically allowed
south africa:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
oman:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
south africa:
Allowed at designated places; check for signs.
Documentation
| Oman | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with International Driving Permit | Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with International Driving Permit | Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Regular inspection required | Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Not applicable |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
oman:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
oman:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
oman:
Regular inspection required
south africa:
Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
oman:
Displayed on windshield
south africa:
Not applicable
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
oman:
Recommended
south africa:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Oman | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
south africa:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
oman:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
south africa:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Oman | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common; roadblocks are used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines | Substantial; varies based on offense |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and heavy penalties | Can result in license suspension and additional fines |
Limits: General Drivers
oman:
0.00%
south africa:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
oman:
0.00%
south africa:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
oman:
Common
south africa:
Common; roadblocks are used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
oman:
Substantial fines
south africa:
Substantial; varies based on offense
Test Refusal
oman:
Can result in license suspension and heavy penalties
south africa:
Can result in license suspension and additional fines
Roundabouts
| Oman | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
oman:
Signal right when preparing to exit
south africa:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Oman | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 9999 | 112 or 10111 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 9999 | Call general emergency number |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or the Automobile Association of South Africa (AASA) |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
oman:
9999
south africa:
112 or 10111
Contact: Traffic Police
oman:
9999
south africa:
Call general emergency number
Contact: Roadside Assistance
oman:
Check with your insurance provider
south africa:
Check with your insurance provider or the Automobile Association of South Africa (AASA)
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
oman:
Recommended
south africa:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Oman | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can be substantial | Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines may apply | Common fine; mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines may apply | Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines can be substantial | Fines applicable |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common | Yes, common with road checkpoints |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; ensure timely payment | Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
oman:
Varies; fines can be substantial
south africa:
Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed
Common Fines: Alcohol
oman:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
south africa:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
oman:
Fines may apply
south africa:
Common fine; mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
oman:
Fines may apply
south africa:
Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
oman:
Fines can be substantial
south africa:
Fines applicable
Payment: On The Spot
oman:
Common
south africa:
Yes, common with road checkpoints
Payment: Deadline
oman:
Varies; ensure timely payment
south africa:
Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay