The ROP has said that vehicle owners can drive even if licence and mulkia expire during this period.

Speaking to Muscat Dail y, an ROP official said, “During this period, motorists can continue driving even if their licences and mulkia expire. In the case of mulkia, they have to just renew their vehicle insurance. Once they do, there are no issues. They can complete other formalities once the situation normalises.”

Amith K, an Indian expatriate whose mulkia is expiring at the end of April, said, “I was quite worried about how to go about it. I can renew my car insurance policy online. What about mulkia?

“I know ROP has self-service kiosks at the Directorate General of Traffic office in Seeb and Omantel office in Al Khoudh. These kiosks issue mulkia if a motorist uploads the car details and Resident Card number on the ROP portal in advance. In this current situation, I don’t know how feasible that would be.”

Another motorist whose mulkia is expiring too breathed a sigh of relief. “It’s a good move. We just have to renew our motor insurance policy. The rest is taken care of.”