Driving in Oman vs. Tanzania: Key Differences Explained
When exploring the unique driving landscapes of Oman and Tanzania, travelers must grasp crucial distinctions for safe navigation. Oman adheres to right-side driving with strict alcohol limits, whereas Tanzania drives on the left with a higher permissible alcohol level. Understanding these variations is essential for a secure and enjoyable journey in both nations.
Lanes
| Oman | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the right edge on divided 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: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS' or 'DART'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and dedicated lanes. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
oman:
Right
tanzania:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
oman:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
tanzania:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Left
oman:
Yes
tanzania:
No
Overtaking: On Right
oman:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
tanzania:
Yes
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
oman:
Use rightmost lane.
tanzania:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
oman:
No
tanzania:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
oman:
N/A
tanzania:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
oman:
N/A
tanzania:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'DART'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
oman:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
tanzania:
Bicycle symbols and dedicated lanes.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
oman:
N/A
tanzania:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
oman:
N/A
tanzania:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Oman | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Urban Areas: Standard
oman:
40-60 km/h
tanzania:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
oman:
40 km/h
tanzania:
30-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
oman:
80-100 km/h
tanzania:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
oman:
80-100 km/h
tanzania:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
oman:
120 km/h
tanzania:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
oman:
100 km/h
tanzania:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
oman:
100 km/h
tanzania:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
oman:
N/A
tanzania:
N/A
Signals
| Oman | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Oman | Not used in Tanzania |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Arabic; symbols are standard | English and Swahili; 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
tanzania:
Not used in Tanzania
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
oman:
Unnecessary use discouraged
tanzania:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
oman:
Arabic; symbols are standard
tanzania:
English and Swahili; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
oman:
Triangle-shaped with red border
tanzania:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Oman | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not typically allowed | Not allowed |
Right Turn On Red
oman:
Not typically allowed
tanzania:
Not allowed
Documentation
| Oman | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with International Driving Permit | Accepted for short visits with an International Driving Permit |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with International Driving Permit | Accepted for short visits with an International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Regular inspection required | Required annually |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
oman:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
tanzania:
Accepted for short visits with an International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
oman:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
tanzania:
Accepted for short visits with an International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
oman:
Regular inspection required
tanzania:
Required annually
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
oman:
Recommended
tanzania:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Oman | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Use more frequent compared to some countries | Moderate usage 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
tanzania:
Moderate usage compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
oman:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
tanzania:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Oman | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines | Significant fines apply |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and heavy penalties | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
oman:
0.00%
tanzania:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
oman:
0.00%
tanzania:
0.05%
Enforcement: Fines
oman:
Substantial fines
tanzania:
Significant fines apply
Test Refusal
oman:
Can result in license suspension and heavy penalties
tanzania:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Oman | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 9999 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 9999 | 112 |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
oman:
9999
tanzania:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
oman:
9999
tanzania:
112
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
oman:
Recommended
tanzania:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Oman | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can be substantial | Varies; penalties can be severe |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines may apply | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines may apply | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines can be substantial | Penalties enforced |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; ensure timely payment | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
oman:
Varies; fines can be substantial
tanzania:
Varies; penalties can be severe
Common Fines: Seat Belts
oman:
Fines may apply
tanzania:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
oman:
Fines may apply
tanzania:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
oman:
Fines can be substantial
tanzania:
Penalties enforced
Payment: Deadline
oman:
Varies; ensure timely payment
tanzania:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay