By Fahad Al Ghadani — MUSCAT: March 14 - Travellers from the Sultanate are not authorised to drive in Austria on the basis of an International Driving Licence (IDL) issued by Oman Automobile Association (OAA), the Austrian Embassy said in a statement.
In a message posted on its official Twitter account, the embassy warned that Austrian authorities do not recognise the validity of this international licence issued in the Sultanate. Consequently, holders of this licence are liable to be in contravention of Austrian traffic rules if found driving in that country purely on the basis of this document, it noted.
An official of the Oman Automobile Association confirmed to the Observer that its International Driving Licence currently excludes Austria from its list of countries that recognise the validity of the permit.
“For over a year now, we have been receiving reports of Oman-based visitors encountering issues with regard to the use of the licence in Austria,” the official said, adding that the matter was brought to the attention of Oman’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“We raised the issue in coordination with the Royal Oman Police and Foreign Ministry because both countries have to first reach agreement on this matter in order for the International Driving Licence is to be valid in Austria. The issue is still outstanding to date,” the Association representative said.
The Oman Automobile Association, he said, would continue to pursue this matter until both governments can reach agreement on the validity of the licence in either country. “Pending that outcome, we strongly encourage holders of the Oman International Driving Licence to avoid driving in Austria so as not to fall foul of local laws,” he stated.
Last year, a number of Omani visitors to Austria said they were fined and ordered to surrender their rented vehicles on the grounds that their international driving licences were not valid for use in Austria. Authorities later explained that the validation of these licences can only occur once the two countries jointly ratify international conventions on traffic regulations. Local car rentals have also been advised not to lease vehicles to holders of international driving licences issued by a number of countries, including Oman.
The issue has generated much debate on social media with the Oman Automobile Association pledging to keep the general public posted about efforts to have the outstanding matter resolved.
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