Driving in Oman vs. Spain: Key Differences for Safety
Exploring the driving regulations in Oman and Spain reveals significant contrasts that can impact safety on the road. While Oman allows overtaking on multi-lane highways, Spain restricts it on most streets. Moreover, speed limits and emergency contacts vary greatly, emphasizing the importance of understanding local rules for a secure journey abroad.
Lanes
| Oman | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Prohibited unless on a one-way street. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses and taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Minimum two or three occupants |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Overtaking: On Right
oman:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
spain:
Prohibited unless on a one-way street.
Bus Lanes: Presence
oman:
No
spain:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
oman:
N/A
spain:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
oman:
N/A
spain:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
oman:
No
spain:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
oman:
N/A
spain:
Minimum two or three occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
oman:
No
spain:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
oman:
N/A
spain:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Oman | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 20-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes, commonly used |
Urban Areas: Standard
oman:
40-60 km/h
spain:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
oman:
40 km/h
spain:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
oman:
80-100 km/h
spain:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
oman:
80-100 km/h
spain:
80-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
oman:
80 km/h
spain:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
oman:
100 km/h
spain:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
oman:
No
spain:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
oman:
N/A
spain:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
oman:
Yes
spain:
Yes, commonly used
Signals
| Oman | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Oman | Not used in Spain |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Arabic; symbols are standard | Spanish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Triangular with white background and red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
oman:
Not used in Oman
spain:
Not used in Spain
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
oman:
Unnecessary use discouraged
spain:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
oman:
Arabic; symbols are standard
spain:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
oman:
Triangle-shaped with red border
spain:
Triangular with white background and red border
Turns
| Oman | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not typically allowed | Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs. |
Right Turn On Red
oman:
Not typically allowed
spain:
Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise
U- Turns Allowed
oman:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
spain:
Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs.
Documentation
| Oman | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with International Driving Permit | Accepted; must carry license. |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with International Driving Permit | International Driving Permit recommended in conjunction with national license. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Regular inspection required | Yes, periodic inspections required. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on windshield in some areas. |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Mandatory. |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory. |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
oman:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
spain:
Accepted; must carry license.
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
oman:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
spain:
International Driving Permit recommended in conjunction with national license.
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
oman:
Regular inspection required
spain:
Yes, periodic inspections required.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
oman:
Displayed on windshield
spain:
Displayed on windshield in some areas.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
oman:
Mandatory
spain:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
oman:
Recommended
spain:
Mandatory.
Road Etiquette
| Oman | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Use more frequent compared to some countries | Used more frequently in urgent situations |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
oman:
Use more frequent compared to some countries
spain:
Used more frequently in urgent situations
Alcohol
| Oman | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common; checkpoints frequently used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines | Severe penalties, including high fines |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and heavy penalties | Can result in heavy fines and license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
oman:
0.00%
spain:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
oman:
0.00%
spain:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
oman:
0.00%
spain:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
oman:
Common
spain:
Common; checkpoints frequently used
Enforcement: Fines
oman:
Substantial fines
spain:
Severe penalties, including high fines
Test Refusal
oman:
Can result in license suspension and heavy penalties
spain:
Can result in heavy fines and license suspension
Emergency Services
| Oman | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 9999 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 9999 | Check with local authorities |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Contact your insurance provider or RACE |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
oman:
9999
spain:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
oman:
9999
spain:
Check with local authorities
Contact: Roadside Assistance
oman:
Check with your insurance provider
spain:
Contact your insurance provider or RACE
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
oman:
Recommended
spain:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Oman | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can be substantial | Varies; typically €100 to €600, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible jail time | Severe fines and potential imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines may apply | €200, mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines may apply | €200, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines can be substantial | €200, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common | Yes; discount if paid promptly. |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; ensure timely payment | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
oman:
Varies; fines can be substantial
spain:
Varies; typically €100 to €600, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
oman:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
spain:
Severe fines and potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
oman:
Fines may apply
spain:
€200, mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
oman:
Fines may apply
spain:
€200, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
oman:
Fines can be substantial
spain:
€200, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
oman:
Common
spain:
Yes; discount if paid promptly.
Payment: Deadline
oman:
Varies; ensure timely payment
spain:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay