Introduction of the Unified Driving Licence
The unified driving licence was recently introduced across the Gulf Cooperation Council countries. The Royal Oman Police confirmed Oman will implement the unified driving licence in the Sultanate of Oman from 1 January 2015.
There has been no change to the process and procedures of obtaining a driving licence in Oman. The only change has been to the actual licence itself which now includes the GCC logo.
Whilst the effective date of the unified driving licence was 1 January 2015, there is no requirement to renew existing licences until the date of licence expiry. Accordingly the only licences to carry the GCC logo are those that are for new or renewed licences.
The purpose of introducing the unified licence is to better regulate driving licences across the gulf region. Authorities from within the GCC countries have found it increasingly difficult to tell apart genuine licences from fakes. As the flow of traffic across the gulf region continues to increase, having a unified licence will help control and better regulate driving licences and will eliminate drivers be able to use fakes.
Ministerial Decision Regulating Certain Professions
The Ministerial Decision No. 31 of 2015 (“MD”) issued by Ministry of Manpower provides that the following professions shall be restricted to Omanis:
- Customs Clerk
- Customs Clearance Clerk
- Customs Clearance Agent
- Customs Clearance Broker.
The MD further provides that the work permits and cards issued for the professions identified above shall be valid until their expiry dates and may not be renewed.
The MD is effective from 3 February 2015.
