Men can take driving lessons in automatic cars from Jan 2019

Royal Oman Police (ROP) has announced: Every male in Oman will soon be able to apply for an automatic transmission driving licence.

Brigadier Eng. Mohammed bin Awadh Al Rowas, Director General of Traffic, said in a statement that the decision came after “demands from the community to allow everyone to choose between automatic transmission or normal while applying for a licence.”

This means that from early next year, both men and women will be able to learn how to drive — and take driving tests — in cars with an automatic transmission. Currently, only females can sit for tests in automatic cars.

“The decision was in response to the demands of teachers and drivers and members of the community to allow teaching and testing on automatic transmission cars, for both men and women, while also allowing those who wish to learn or test on the normal transmission to do so,” Brigadier Awad stated.

“The decision was based on a study conducted by the General Directorate of Traffic and included all driving teachers in all the governorates of the Sultanate,” the Brigadier added.

The move was welcomed by the citizens, expatriates, instructors and officials of the driving school.

“It is an excellent move from the Omani government. We have been waiting for such a move. I have heard of people failing 10 times in a test because they struggle to drive manual cars. Now they can get a licence too; otherwise, it is really hard for people to manage without a car,” Raj Gupta, an Indian expat who recently got his licence, noted.

“This will help lots of expats here, as they are comfortable driving automatic cars but not so good at manual.

“It is a good decision. The only problem is it came after I got my licence for which I spent nearly OMR1,000. I wish it had come earlier and I would surely have spent much less on the licence,” Zia, an expat who took 12 tests to get his license, remarked.

Fatma Al Balushi, an Omani national, pointed out, “If women are allowed to take tests in automatic cars, even men should be allowed the same, and this is good to hear. It is allowed in most countries already, and we are happy to have it in Oman.

“The only issue may be in an emergency where only a manual gear car is available