Job Discussion Forums

[NQTabroad]

Had a previous post that included driving.

Heres the good news. I recently passed my test and am now the proud owner of a UK full license hurrah!

Despite this I ve heard you must own a license one year before you can exchange it for an Omani one. Im so surprised they d be that strict about having it for a year as in the UAE let Irish people drive on provisonnal licenses . Don t think the police even understood the difference between a full and provisionnal license so my colleagues had a blast renting big 4x4

Im a little bit concerned about the car thing as it would mean legally I can t buy a car til after Christmas. Everyone keeps saying its so terrible without a car.Though I could always rent.
Is there any way of getting a good taxi number, is it possible to get to know a driver? Is there some sort of alternative and what do people do when they first arrive?

Would getting one of the lowly paid workers in my school a job of chauffering me around for the first few months be an option? Im really worried about this as I do like pottering about on my own.

[nicole2010]

Hi, try this link to ROP website ---->
http://www.rop.gov.om/english/dg_traffic.asp

Yes- one year back seems to be the rule, but you can use your foreign license or international license for 3 months before "officially" needing to change to an Omani license. If you rent a car, probably you can get away with not changing it for a longer while.(years sometimes)...if the police stop you for some reason...they may ask why you have not changed it and give you a warning...or fine you 15 RO....if you need a rental car, i can help you get a good deal on a decent car (no yaris).....pm me....

Also, to get an omani license from exchange of foreign license- you will need a letter from your sponsor..and copies of your resident card (you will get this after you arrive, sometimes it takes time as you must go through medical checks, blood typing..etc...)...passport...original license (one year back).....

Otherwise, you will need to take the driving test. Most people fail several times before passing...(Omanis included) .. it is part of the system here.....(try to avoid if possible)...unless you have big wasta come with you to the test....

As far as hiring a taxi as a regular driver. there is some risk of reliability. Generally, they have several clients and may pick you up/drop of at inconvenient times or not show up at all (the same for omanis using the service). The price should be around 25-30 RO monthly for commuting to work and back. There is also a language barrier if you do not speak Arabic. If you are female, there is a chance it may not be safe to get into any random taxi without having an omani or someone introduce you to a driver..

Depending on what city you will be in...renting a car is probably best (at first) and your insurance and service will be covered. The cost is about 150 RO per month for economy type car. The rental company can help you in case of accident which is definitely a possible scenario considering the types of drivers i have observed here. Normally, the deductible is about 75 RO. Also, please note the police may find you at fault against an omani driver in an accident (even if it strongly seems the reverse is true).

As far as your question concerning "lowly paid workers driving you around" ... most likely these workers do not have drivers licenses. Certain nationalities such as Indian or Filipino cannot exchange their licenses for an Omani one thus reducing the chance they have a license.

If you wish to buy a car, it is possible. Will you pay all cash...? ..new or used....

Finally, red license plates are generally rental cars while yellow are private cars. If you have an accident, you need a police report before you can have your car fixed through insurance or without insurance. The garage needs it to begin work. This includes if you hit a pole or something ..you still need to make a police report.

[veiledsentiments]

NQTabroad... I suspect that your fellow teachers will be able to help point you in the right direction. Nicole is likely correct that you can get away with leasing using your Irish license... and I normally suggest leasing for the first months or a year until you have a feel for how long you may want to stay. One really must be there for more than a couple years for a car to be economically feasible. Or... at the end of Academic years, there are usually teachers leaving with cars to sell.

VS

[alinyusa]

Do you know if I can drive with my UAE's license? Or I can exchange it for Omani?

[veiledsentiments]

Not according to the law. Only GCC citizens are able to use their other GCC license in all the Gulf countries. Use your home country license to change to an Oman license just as you did in the UAE. If you wish to keep the UAE license, don't tell the Oman DMV that you have one. I did, and they insisted on my turning it in to them to get the Oman license.

VS

[NQTabroad]

Thanks for all the replies. I checked with hertz and Europcar and they too insist on having your license for one year.
I am really surprised this is the case after what I saw in the UAE! Do they check how old your license is?

[NQTabroad]

So it looks like I won t be driving until after Christmas. Maybe I could survive a couple of months with taxis and relying on people for lifts.
Its something I am quite anxious about
Though then again I was told driving was a must in Al Ain (because taxi drivers are insane) but i did survive

[happyroofus]

[nicole2010]

dear NQT...... it is possible for you to rent a car. from a reputable company ..... if you need a contact i am happy to assist you.......

[veiledsentiments]

[usa_in_gulf]

happyroofus wrote:

[happyroofus]

[veiledsentiments]