Warden Message Concerning Traffic Stops

During the March 10, 2009 warden meeting, American expatriate community members related several experiences in which individuals wearing traditional Omani dress and driving taxis or unmarked commercial vehicles bearing red Omani government license plates stopped them and gave them traffic citations.  These individuals produced no documentation identifying themselves as ROP personnel.

To facilitate a better understanding of Omani law enforcement activities for the American expatriate community, the embassy requested clarification on the legal requirements for Omani government entities to stop vehicles.  The Omani Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) informed us that Oman’s traffic law authorizes only Royal Oman Police (ROP) personnel to stop vehicles for traffic violations.  They also told us that the Royal Oman Police Law mandates that all police personnel enforce Oman’s laws 24 hours a day, which means that off-duty police officers, even if in civilian clothing and unmarked vehicles, have a right and duty to stop drivers for suspected traffic violations.  According to the MFA, whenever an ROP officer stops a vehicle, he or she is required to produce identification, which is in both Arabic and English. 

The Embassy recommends that U.S. citizens avoid confrontation with those who stop them for traffic violations.  If officers refuse to provide identification or you doubt the authenticity of the identification they produce, get as much information as possible, such as license plate numbers, and report the incident to the nearest police station.

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Americans living or traveling in Oman are strongly encouraged to register with the U.S. Embassy in Muscat. Registration with Embassies/Consulates is available at www.travel.state.gov under “International Travel for U.S. Citizens.” Americans without Internet access may register directly with the U.S. Embassy in Muscat. The Embassy’s phone number is (968) 2464-3400. This new phone number is also for after-hours emergencies.

American citizens wishing to contact the Consular Section may do so via email at ConsularMuscat@state.gov or fax at (968) 2464-3535. If you wish to speak directly to a consular staff member, please call the embassy phone number between 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, and follow the prompts. On a walk-in basis, American Citizens Services are available from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

The U.S. Embassy is located on Jameat A'Duwal Al Arabiya Street in the diplomatic area of Shatti al Qurum in the capital city of Muscat. American Citizens Service hours are: Saturday, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm. The Embassy is closed on Omani and American holidays.

For the latest security information, Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs’ web site at http://travel.state.gov, where the current Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts, as well as the Worldwide Caution, can be found.  

In addition to information on the Internet, travelers may obtain up-to-date information on security conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada, or outside the United States and Canada on a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

Tracey Thornton
Consular Section Chief
U.S. Embassy Muscat