Indian Licence in Oman 2026: Bring an IDP, Drink Nothing

Oman is one of the easier Gulf countries to drive in, with good roads, signs in English and Arabic, and desert and coast routes that reward having a car. For an Indian visitor, three things stand apart from home: the permit question, the side of the road and a strict line on alcohol.

Driving in Oman on an Indian licence

Bring an International Driving Permit from your RTO along with your Indian licence and passport; Canada’s travel advice tells visitors to carry one. There is a catch: India has joined only the 1949 Geneva convention and Oman only the 1968 Vienna convention, so no treaty obliges Oman to accept an Indian IDP. Acceptance depends on Omani rules and the hire firm, which often sets its own conditions on age, experience and an IDP. Ask the firm to confirm in writing that it accepts your documents before you book. The Driving Permit Checker helps for other countries, and the Oman driving guide has more local rules.

No alcohol

GOV.UK warns that if you are tested and any alcohol is found in your system, you may get a fine and possible imprisonment. India allows 0.03%; Oman leaves no margin at all. If you are driving, do not drink.

The side switch and the open road

India drives on the left; Oman drives on the right. Roundabouts, common in Muscat, and merging onto fast dual carriageways are where a wrong-way glance is easiest, so take your first drive somewhere quiet.

Traffic laws are strictly enforced: all passengers must wear seatbelts, children aged 3 and under need car seats, and using a mobile phone while driving is illegal. Penalties can reach OMR 3,000 in fines or three years in prison. Outside Muscat, watch for camels and goats on the road. Wadis, the dry riverbeds, can flash-flood after heavy rain between October and March; avoid them when rain is forecast and for at least a day afterwards. After a serious accident, stay with the car and call the Royal Oman Police on 9999; after a minor one, fill in the accident form that hire cars must carry. The Speed Limit Map shows posted limits.

Sources

• Government of Canada travel advice, Oman (carry an IDP; strict penalties; rural driving hazards): travel.gc.ca
• GOV.UK foreign travel advice, Oman (hire firms may require an IDP; any alcohol can bring a fine and prison; accident reporting on 9999; seatbelts, child seats and phones; fines up to OMR 3,000 or 3 years; wadis October to March): gov.uk
• GOV.UK foreign travel advice, Oman, emergency number 9999: gov.uk
• UN Treaty Collection, parties to the 1949 and 1968 conventions on road traffic: treaties.un.org, treaties.un.org
• WHO Global status report on road safety 2023, India profile (0.03 g/dl): who.int