As part of the plans to ease services provided by the Royal Oman Police (ROP), Lt Gen Hasan bin Mohsin bin Salim al Shraiqi, Inspector General of Police and Customs, issued a decision No 61/2024, amending some provisions of the executive regulations of the Traffic Law, which shall be effective from the day following the date of its publication in the official gazette.
As per the decision, the validity of the vehicle operating licence (private vehicles) will be one year from the date of registration or renewal, but it is permissible to have a longer period based on the owner’s request, provided that the vehicle is covered by insurance or unless it has been decided to inspect it annually by the provisions of Article 39 of the Traffic Law.
Tractors used for agricultural purposes have been exempted from the duration requirement.
Previously, the vehicle operating licence was valid for one year from the date of registration or renewal, and maybe for two years for government vehicles and vehicles of diplomatic and consular bodies and organisations accredited to the Sultanate of Oman unless it is decided to inspect them annually as per the provisions of Article 39 of the law. The decision stated that vehicles that will be subject to technical examination upon registration and renewal of the vehicle operating licence are commercial vehicles of all types, heavy government vehicles and equipment, taxis of all types, school cars, buses of various types, cars, and bicycles that were manufactured 10 years ago or more and vehicles of limited use.
Light passenger vehicles that have been manufactured for less than 10 years and are not used for advertising and publicity purposes are exempted from annual inspections.
Small trucks (pick-ups) and light passenger vehicles that are less than 10 years old and are not used for advertising purposes are exempt from technical inspection. The privilege given to government vehicles and vehicles of diplomatic and consular bodies has been cancelled by extending the validity of the licence for two years. Vehicles will be subject to technical inspection in cases of changing or replacing their engine or structure or its colour or any essential part.
The decision states that no black points will be recorded for failure to provide proof of obtaining a driving licence or proof of obtaining a vehicle operating licence. It was three black points earlier for these violations.
