Driving Differences: Oman vs United Kingdom Explained
When exploring the roads of Oman and the United Kingdom, drivers encounter distinct regulations that shape their travel experiences. Key variations include driving on the right in Oman versus the left in the UK, differing speed limits, and unique road markings. Understanding these disparities is essential for navigating safely and confidently in each country.
Lanes
| Oman | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid White Line | No crossing or lane changes allowed. | Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle). |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions. |
| Markings: Double Solid White Line | No crossing in either direction. | Do not cross or straddle in either direction. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4] | Railroad crossings | Near schools |
| 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, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Mostly exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
oman:
Right
united kingdom:
Left
Markings: Solid White Line
oman:
No crossing or lane changes allowed.
united kingdom:
Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle).
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
oman:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions.
Markings: Double Solid White Line
oman:
No crossing in either direction.
united kingdom:
Do not cross or straddle in either direction.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
oman:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK.
Overtaking: On Right
oman:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
united kingdom:
Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4]
oman:
Railroad crossings
united kingdom:
Near schools
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
oman:
Use rightmost lane.
united kingdom:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
oman:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
oman:
N/A
united kingdom:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
oman:
N/A
united kingdom:
Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
oman:
Exclusive for bicycles.
united kingdom:
Mostly exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
oman:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
united kingdom:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
oman:
No
united kingdom:
No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
oman:
N/A
united kingdom:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
oman:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
oman:
N/A
united kingdom:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Oman | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 30 mph |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 20 mph in some areas |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 60 mph |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 50 mph |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 50 mph |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 km/h | 70 mph |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 60 mph |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 100 km/h | 60 mph |
| Speed Units | km/h | mph |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Not typically used; fines are usually mailed |
Urban Areas: Standard
oman:
40-60 km/h
united kingdom:
30 mph
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
oman:
40 km/h
united kingdom:
20 mph in some areas
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
oman:
80-100 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
oman:
80-100 km/h
united kingdom:
50 mph
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
oman:
80 km/h
united kingdom:
50 mph
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
oman:
120 km/h
united kingdom:
70 mph
Highways: Buses And Vans
oman:
100 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
oman:
100 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Speed Units
oman:
km/h
united kingdom:
mph
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
oman:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
oman:
N/A
united kingdom:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
oman:
Yes
united kingdom:
Not typically used; fines are usually mailed
Signals
| Oman | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Oman | Prepare to go, not used in the USA |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| 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-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
oman:
Not used in Oman
united kingdom:
Prepare to go, not used in the USA
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
oman:
Signal when exiting
united kingdom:
Signal when entering and exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
oman:
Unnecessary use discouraged
united kingdom:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
oman:
Arabic; symbols are standard
united kingdom:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
oman:
Triangle-shaped with red border
united kingdom:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Oman | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not typically allowed | Not permitted in the UK |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Left turns permitted; use caution |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left | Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed except where prohibited by signage |
Right Turn On Red
oman:
Not typically allowed
united kingdom:
Not permitted in the UK
Left Turn: General
oman:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
united kingdom:
Left turns permitted; use caution
Left Turn: At Intersections
oman:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
united kingdom:
Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic.
U- Turns Allowed
oman:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
united kingdom:
Allowed except where prohibited by signage
Documentation
| Oman | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with International Driving Permit | Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with International Driving Permit | International Driving Permit often required alongside national license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Regular inspection required | MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Not displayed; records are electronic |
| 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
united kingdom:
Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
oman:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
united kingdom:
International Driving Permit often required alongside national license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
oman:
Regular inspection required
united kingdom:
MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
oman:
Displayed on windshield
united kingdom:
Not displayed; records are electronic
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
oman:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
oman:
Recommended
united kingdom:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Oman | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 side and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
oman:
Use more frequent compared to some countries
united kingdom:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
oman:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
united kingdom:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Oman | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines | Substantial fines apply |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and heavy penalties | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
oman:
0.00%
united kingdom:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
oman:
0.00%
united kingdom:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
oman:
0.00%
united kingdom:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
oman:
Common
united kingdom:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
oman:
Substantial fines
united kingdom:
Substantial fines apply
Test Refusal
oman:
Can result in license suspension and heavy penalties
united kingdom:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Oman | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for first exit |
Signaling: Entering
oman:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
united kingdom:
Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight
Lane Usage: Right
oman:
Use for first exit or straight
united kingdom:
Use for first exit
Emergency Services
| Oman | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 9999 | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 9999 | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
oman:
9999
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Traffic Police
oman:
9999
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
oman:
Check with your insurance provider
united kingdom:
Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
oman:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
oman:
Recommended
united kingdom:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Oman | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can be substantial | Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines may apply | £100 fine |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines may apply | £200 and 6 penalty points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines can be substantial | £100 fine and 3 penalty points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; ensure timely payment | Varies; typically 28 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
oman:
Varies; fines can be substantial
united kingdom:
Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points
Common Fines: Alcohol
oman:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
united kingdom:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
oman:
Fines may apply
united kingdom:
£100 fine
Common Fines: Phone Use
oman:
Fines may apply
united kingdom:
£200 and 6 penalty points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
oman:
Fines can be substantial
united kingdom:
£100 fine and 3 penalty points
Payment: On The Spot
oman:
Common
united kingdom:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
oman:
Varies; ensure timely payment
united kingdom:
Varies; typically 28 days to pay