The need for driving in Muscat

The inability of spouses to drive will considerably restrict family mobility since walking to shops, school or the PDO Recreation Club is not practical with such high temperatures. There is a limited public transport system. On the other hand, there are plenty of taxis or you could arrange transport with a driver.

Obtaining an Omani drivers lisence

Expatriates on employment visas should have an Omani driving licence, according to the job classification list of Ministry of Social Affairs, Labour and Vocational Training.

If you hold a transferable driving licence you can drive for up to three months from your arrival date using your home country licence.

If you hold a non transferable driving licence you are not able to drive in Oman until a test has been taken and an Omani Driving Licence has been obtained.

The following driving licences are transferable in Oman without taking a driving test.  If your original licence was issued in one of these countries and is at least one year old, you can apply to transfer it to an Omani licence, subject to an eye test.

All Gulf Cooperation Countries (GCC) – Australia – Austria – Belgium – Brunei (driving license must be one year old) – Canada – Denmark – Egypt – Finland – France – Iran – Ireland – Italy – Japan (after translation) – Jordan – Lebanon – Luxemburg – Monaco – Morocco – the Netherlands – New Zealand – Norway – South Africa – Spain – Sweden– Switzerland – Syria – Tunis – Turkey – United Kingdom – United States of America – Germany.

 

Transport on arrival

PDO Transport

If you hold a non transferable driving licence (see above) you are not allowed to drive any car until your have passed a driving test in Oman and obtained an Omani Driving license.  PDO has arranged for several drivers to be available to assist new arrivals to bridge the period between arrival and obtaining an Omani license.

PDO pool cars

As a new arrival, if you hold a recognised transferable license (see above) it is possible to use a pool car from PDO.  The length of time that you can have a pool car depends on your individual contract. It may be possible to then extend for up to a maximum of 30 days for your own account at a cost of RO7 per day.

Taxis

Please find below a list of taxi companies operating in the Muscat area.

  • City taxi 24602211 (not metered so check rates for the journey beforehand)
  • Hello Taxi 24607012 (metered)
  • Swift taxi 80077779 (metered).  Swift taxi has female taxi drivers.

When using a taxi ladies should sit in the back seat of the car. 

Car Hire

Most major hire car firms are represented in Muscat.

Avis 24519176 Seeb Airport

Budget 24510816 Seeb Airport

Hertz 24521187 Seeb Airport

Thrifty 24521189 Seeb Airport

There are also smaller local firms:

Mark Rent a Car 24562 444

Al Maskery 24595241 www.almaskeryrentacar.com

Global Rent a Car 24697140