Oman Heavy Vehicle Theory cheat sheet

Oman drives on the right; overtaking is on the left except where lane configuration or signage directs otherwise.

Default urban speed limit is 60 km/h and default rural/highway limit is 90 km/h unless posted signs state otherwise; heavy vehicles may be subject to lower posted limits.

A heavy vehicle driver must hold the correct licence class for the vehicle's gross vehicle weight and carry the licence, registration (mulkiya) and insurance documents.

Seat belts are mandatory for driver and front-seat occupants; carrying passengers in the cargo area of a goods vehicle is prohibited.

Red traffic light means stop before the stop line; a flashing amber signal means proceed with caution only when the way is clear.

Police or authorised traffic officers' hand signals override fixed signals and road markings.

Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is a criminal offence; refusing a breath or blood test is itself an offence.

Mobile phone use by hand while driving is prohibited; use only hands-free equipment that does not require holding the device.

After any collision involving injury or significant property damage, stop, render assistance, and report to the Royal Oman Police.

Sign shapes carry meaning: circles give orders (red border = prohibition, blue = mandatory), triangles warn, rectangles inform.

Red octagon = STOP (full stop, give way to all traffic); inverted red/white triangle = GIVE WAY (yield).

A red circle with a white horizontal bar = no entry; a red circle with a single diagonal bar = no parking/stopping as posted.

Blue circular signs are mandatory instructions (e.g. keep right, minimum speed, compulsory direction).

Yellow/amber diamond or triangle signs warn of hazards ahead such as bends, junctions, steep descents or road narrowing.

Temporary signs on yellow backgrounds or with red/white striping indicate roadworks and override normal markings.

A sign showing a truck silhouette with a red border prohibits goods vehicles above the stated weight from that route.

Height, width, length and axle-weight restriction signs are prohibitions: the vehicle must not proceed if it exceeds the posted figure.

Traffic signals: steady red = stop; steady green = proceed if exit is clear; amber = stop unless stopping is unsafe; flashing amber = proceed with caution.

A solid white centre line means no crossing or overtaking; a broken white line permits crossing when safe and the way ahead is clear.

Double solid lines on your side prohibit overtaking; double lines with one broken line allow crossing only from the broken-line side.

Yellow kerb markings or yellow lines indicate parking/stopping restrictions; obey the posted times.

Lane arrows and directional markings are mandatory: choose the correct lane before the junction and do not change lanes inside the marked approach.

At a roundabout, traffic already circulating has priority; heavy vehicles must use the appropriate lane and signal exit.

At uncontrolled junctions, give way to traffic approaching from the right unless signs or markings say otherwise.

Box junction markings (yellow cross-hatch) must not be entered unless your exit is clear.

Keep left of the centre line on two-way roads and return to the right-hand lane after overtaking once safe.

Heavy vehicles should maintain the leftmost lane on multi-lane highways except when overtaking or preparing to turn.

Daily walk-around check: tyres (tread depth, pressure, cuts, bulges), lights, mirrors, wipers, horn, fluids, leaks and load security.

Minimum legal tyre tread depth for heavy vehicles is typically 1.6 mm across the central three-quarters of the tread; check sidewalls for damage and correct pressure when cold.

Brake system checks include air pressure build-up, low-pressure warning, leak-down rate and parking brake holding ability.

Check engine oil, coolant, power-steering fluid and washer fluid levels; investigate any unexplained fluid loss before departure.

Test all lights: headlights (dip/main), indicators, hazard lights, brake lights, reversing lights and marker/clearance lamps.

Inspect steering for excessive free play, pulling or vibration; check suspension for broken leaves, air bag leaks or loose U-bolts.

Check the exhaust for excessive smoke and unusual noise; a defective emissions system may make the vehicle unroadworthy.

Record defects in the vehicle log; a defect affecting safety (brakes, steering, tyres, lights) must be rectified before driving.

Pre-trip check includes load distribution, tailgate/doors secured, tarpaulin condition and correct placarding for dangerous goods.

Air brake system pressure builds to normal operating range (typically 6–8 bar / 90–120 psi) before the vehicle is driven.

Low-pressure warning buzzer/lamp must activate before pressure drops below the safe operating level; if it sounds, stop and investigate.

Leak test: with engine off and system charged, apply the foot brake and hold; pressure loss should not exceed about 0.2 bar (3 psi) per minute.

The spring (parking) brake applies automatically when air pressure is lost; never rely on it alone while the engine is running.

Drain air tanks daily to remove moisture; water in the system can freeze or corrode valves and cause brake failure.

Check the slack adjuster and pushrod travel: excessive stroke indicates worn linings or out-of-adjustment brakes.

Test the parking brake on a slope: it must hold the loaded vehicle stationary.

Use engine braking and lower gears on long descents; continuous service brake use can cause fade and overheating.

If brakes fail, downshift, use the engine brake, apply the parking brake gradually and look for an escape route.

Check hydraulic brake fluid level in the reservoir; low level indicates a leak or worn pads/shoes.

Brake pedal should feel firm; a spongy pedal indicates air in the hydraulic system and requires bleeding.

Inspect brake lines and hoses for cracks, bulges, chafing and leaks; replace any damaged component.

Check brake pads/shoes for wear and discs/drums for scoring, cracks or excessive runout.

Test the parking brake and the brake warning lamp; the lamp should extinguish once the brake is released.

Do not mix different brake fluid types; use only the manufacturer-specified fluid and replace it at the recommended interval.

After any brake work, test the brakes at low speed in a safe area before returning to normal driving.

If the brake pedal sinks to the floor, pump the pedal, downshift and use the parking brake to stop safely.

Gross vehicle weight (GVW), gross combination weight (GCW) and axle weights must not exceed the limits on the vehicle plate or the posted road limits.

Distribute load evenly: keep the centre of gravity low and centred, and avoid overloading the rear axle or exceeding individual axle ratings.

Secure every load with adequate lashing, chains or straps rated for the load weight; check tension after the first few kilometres.

Cover loose loads (sand, gravel, aggregate) with a tarpaulin to prevent spillage onto the road.

Loads must not project beyond the vehicle's permitted dimensions unless marked with warning flags/lights as required by law.

Do not carry passengers in the cargo area or on the load; the cab is the only permitted passenger space.

Check tailgate, doors and container locks are closed and secured before departure and at rest stops.

Heavy or dense loads should be positioned over or slightly ahead of the rear axle group to maintain steering axle grip.

Re-check load security after rough terrain, sudden braking or any incident.

Know your vehicle's height, width, length and turning circle before departure; post them in the cab for reference.

Height restrictions are shown on signs and bridge markings; if in doubt, stop and verify clearance rather than guess.

Overheight loads require warning markers and, where required, a permit and escort.

Check overhead obstructions: bridges, tunnels, wires, tree branches, fuel-station canopies and loading bays.

Wide or long loads may require pilot vehicles, warning flags and lights as specified by regulation.

Maintain adequate side clearance in narrow lanes, roadworks and tunnels; allow for mirror overhang.

Use mirrors and, where fitted, reversing cameras and spotters when manoeuvring in tight spaces.

Account for tail swing and off-tracking on long vehicles when turning; rear wheels cut inside the front path.

In desert heat, check tyre pressures and coolant before departure; heat increases blowout risk and reduces brake efficiency.

On sand or soft ground, reduce speed, engage the correct gear and avoid sudden steering or braking to prevent bogging.

Sandstorms reduce visibility: slow down, use low-beam headlights and fog lamps, and stop in a safe place if visibility falls below safe limits.

On mountain roads, use lower gears on descents and avoid riding the brakes; sound the horn on blind bends where permitted.

On wet roads, increase following distance (at least double the dry-weather gap) and reduce speed to avoid aquaplaning.

If the vehicle aquaplanes, ease off the accelerator, hold the steering steady and avoid sudden braking.

Watch for flash floods in wadis; never drive into flowing water of unknown depth.

In fog or heavy rain, use low-beam headlights, not main beam, and switch on hazard lights only when stationary or as required by law.

After driving through water, test the brakes gently at low speed to dry them.

Fatigue impairs reaction time and judgement; take a break at least every 2 hours or sooner if tired.

Alcohol slows reaction time, reduces coordination and impairs judgement; even small amounts increase collision risk.

Prescription and over-the-counter medicines may cause drowsiness; read the label and do not drive if warned.

Distraction sources include phones, navigation devices, eating, smoking and passengers; keep attention on the road.

Ensure adequate sleep before a long trip; avoid driving during normal sleep hours if possible.

If you feel drowsy, stop in a safe place and rest; opening a window or drinking coffee is not a substitute for sleep.

Report medical conditions that may affect driving to the licensing authority as required.

Do not drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol; penalties include fines, licence suspension and imprisonment.

Use the two-second rule as a minimum following gap in good conditions; double it in rain, at night or when following a heavy vehicle.

Heavy vehicles need longer stopping distances: stopping distance increases with the square of speed.

Scan far ahead (12–15 seconds) and check mirrors regularly to identify hazards early.

Anticipate hazards from side roads, parked vehicles, pedestrians, animals and other heavy vehicles.

Reduce speed in poor visibility, roadworks, junctions, school zones and residential areas.

Maintain a safe speed for the conditions even below the posted limit; the limit is a maximum, not a target.

Use the horn only as a warning, not to express frustration; be aware of blind spots around the vehicle.

Plan escape routes and identify safe stopping places in case of an emergency.

At an incident: stop, switch off the engine, set hazard lights, place warning triangles and call emergency services (9999 in Oman).

Do not move an injured person unless there is immediate danger (fire, traffic, drowning).

Check responsiveness, breathing and circulation; begin CPR if trained and the person is not breathing.

Control bleeding by applying direct pressure with a clean cloth or dressing.

Keep the injured person warm and still; do not give food or drink.

For suspected spinal injury, keep the head and neck aligned and wait for trained responders.

Use a fire extinguisher only on small fires and only if trained; move people away from the vehicle.

Exchange details with other parties and report the incident to the police as required.

Record the scene with photographs and note witness details if safe to do so.

Record driving, other work, availability and rest periods accurately in the tachograph or logbook where required.

Take a break of at least 45 minutes after 4.5 hours of driving, or split it into 15 minutes then 30 minutes.

Daily driving time is generally limited (commonly 9 hours, extendable to 10 hours twice a week); check the applicable rule for your operation.

Daily rest must be at least 11 hours (or reduced to 9 hours up to three times a week); weekly rest rules also apply.

Keep tachograph records and manual entries for the period required by law and present them on request.

Do not tamper with the tachograph or falsify records; doing so is an offence.

Plan routes and rest stops in advance to avoid exceeding driving limits.

If you feel tired before reaching your limit, stop and rest; fatigue is a hazard even within legal hours.

Keep the tachograph card clean and undamaged; report malfunctions to the operator promptly.