Destinations / Oman
Driving in Oman as a visitor
Usually yes. Oman expects visiting drivers to carry an International Driving Permit alongside their national licence, and rental desks ask for one. It matters most when your licence is not printed in the Latin alphabet.
Standard delivery included. Need it sooner? Express lands by for $25 more.
Reviewed July 2026 · A translation of your own licence, carried with it. Not a government permit.
What Oman expects
| Permit needed | Expected |
|---|---|
| Convention format | 1949 Geneva |
| Valid for | 1 year |
| Drives on the | Right |
| Emergency number | 9999 |
| Top speed limit | 120 km/h highways |
What the rental desk will ask you for
| Your own licence | The original card. A photo of it, or a photocopy, gets turned away. |
|---|---|
| Licence translation | Expected. Hand it over with the licence, never instead of it. |
| Booklet format they know | 1949 Geneva |
| Minimum age | 18. Under 25 usually pays a young-driver surcharge. |
| Deposit | A credit card in the driver's name. The hold is taken in OMR. |
Rules that catch visitors out
| Alcohol | Zero-tolerance alcohol law for driving. |
|---|---|
| Speed | Speed cameras and radar widespread. |
| Roads | 4x4 recommended for desert and wadi routes. |
On the road in Oman
At the pump
Stations sell M91 and M95 petrol plus diesel, are mostly attendant-served, and accept cards widely; fuel is cheap by global standards at roughly 230 baisa (about USD 0.60) per litre. Pumps are frequent on main roads but scarce in the desert interior, so refuel before remote stretches.
After a crash
Dial 9999 for police, ambulance or fire; for injury or disputed-fault crashes do not move the vehicles and wait for the Royal Oman Police, as moving can imply admission of guilt. For minor vehicle-only crashes where both agree on fault, you must move off the road and complete the ROP Simple/Minor Road Traffic Accident form (kept in the car) for insurance.
Sources: gulfnews.com · omanobserver.om · askexplorer.com · omanwanderlust.com
Common questions
Do you need an International Driving Permit in Oman?
Usually yes. Oman expects visiting drivers to carry an International Driving Permit alongside their national licence, and rental desks ask for one. It matters most when your licence is not printed in the Latin alphabet.
Which IDP format does Oman accept?
Oman recognises the 1949 Geneva format. Your permit is prepared in that format.
Will a rental desk in Oman ask for one?
Muscat desks request an IDP for most non-GCC licences.
How fast can you get one?
Express orders are emailed within 5 minutes. The exact delivery moment is quoted before you pay and the order is refundable for 30 days.