Driving in Oman: Self-Drive Tips, Car Rental, Costs & Road Rules

We drove more than 900 kilometres in Oman, from the capital Muscat to the desert camps in Bidiyah and the ancient city of Nizwa. Here is all you need to know about driving in Oman as a tourist to stay safe and avoid fines as high as 50 rials.

🚙 Car Rentals

Types of cars

You can choose one of these two variants,

1. A 4 by 4 car – The engine supplies power to all 4 wheels, making it capable of traversing the mountainous regions of Jebel Akhdar and into deserts like the Wahiba Sands. It usually costs more than 30 rials per day.
2. A non 4 by 4 car – The engine supplies power to only the front 2 wheels so it is not permitted on certain mountain roads (such as Jebel Akhdar) and in desert regions. Rent per day starts at 10 rials.

If you go with a non 4×4 (like we did), you will need to park it outside the prohibited areas and hire a 4×4 to enter inside. Most cars in Oman run on petrol (gasoline). If you come from a country that drives on the opposite side, then choosing an automatic car makes driving much easier.

Where to rent from

We rented our car from Almashaher rent a car (+968 96999971) in Muscat. They were very friendly and the car was in excellent condition. Here are other car rentals you can contact via WhatsApp,

1. URdrive rent a car: +968 94959637
2. Tareq Al Maosm: +968 90481000
3. Mouj Muscat rent a car: +968 95855229

Rent cost per day

We were quoted these prices,

Discounts are usually offered for reservations lasting around a week. We got the Hyundai Elantra for 91 OMR for 7 days instead of 15 * 7 = 105 OMR.

Security deposits

Rentals take a deposit of 30 to 50 OMR or more to pay for potential fines and damages. This amount will be credited back to your bank account a few weeks after the car is returned.

Kilometres per day

Car rentals have quotas on the number of kilometres that can be driven per day. Exceeding this limit will incur additional charges. Make sure to check this even if it is not explicitly mentioned upfront. We got a quota of 200 kilometres per day.

Cleaning fee

They expect the car to be returned in the same condition in which it was delivered. Otherwise, a fee of 2 OMR or more will be charged.

International driving permits

We did not need an IDV to book a rental car. Our passport and driving licence were sufficient. For latest updates, check the Royal Oman Police guidelines. Always verify current rules before travel.

Airport pickup and drop

Most rentals offer a free pickup and drop to the Muscat International Airport.

🚦Traffic rules and signs

1. Oman follows right-hand traffic (RHT) and left-hand drive. This means the steering wheel is on the left, and on bidirectional roads, vehicles drive on the right.

2. Overtaking occurs on the left. On multilane roads, the leftmost lane functions as the fast/overtaking lane. Regular cruising should be in the second lane. Always signal when changing lanes.
3. The lane beyond the yellow line is reserved for emergencies and ambulances; avoid using it for regular driving.

4. Roundabouts operate anticlockwise, with vehicles already in the roundabout having priority. See these videos to learn more about conventions and lane switching on roundabouts, Roundabout rules for beginners and Passing a driving test in Oman.
5. Speed limits are strictly enforced by automated cameras. Violations typically incur a 10 OMR fine.
6. Seat belts are mandatory for all passengers in the car.
7. Familiarize yourself with common Omani traffic signs. Watch this video, Traffic signs of Oman.
8. Honking is limited to signalling hazards or urgent situations. If another driver honks at you, it usually indicates that you are obstructing traffic flow or making an incorrect manoeuvre.
9. Do not run red lights. Violations carry heavy penalties of up to 50 OMR and may include short detention.

🅿️ Parking

Parking spaces usually have a board indicating that it is paid. To pay for parking, send an SMS to 90091 with the car number and parking duration, for example: 4301 TB 60 to reserve the parking space for 60 minutes.

This fee gets deducted from the remaining balance on your SIM card, so top-up for a few rials (tourist packs come with 0 OMR). Usual rates are 200 baisa per hour.

⛽ Fuel stations

Fuel stations typically offer two types of petrol,

1. Mogas 91: Works for most cars; cheaper, around 0.229 OMR/litre.
2. Mogas 95: Preferred for performance or luxury vehicles; slightly more expensive, around 0.239 OMR/litre.

Filling is done by station staff; state the type and amount (full tank or specific value).

📍Navigation

Google Maps works great for most places. Download offline maps, especially for desert routes and mountain regions where mobile coverage can be patchy.