Automatic transmission driving licences in Oman for all from next year

Muscat: Male citizens and residents in Oman will be able to apply for an automatic transmission driving licence starting from January 1, 2019.
Earlier this year, Brig. Eng. Mohammed bin Awadh Al Rawas, Director General of Traffic, announced that "everyone who wants to get a driver's licence will be allowed a choice between automatic or manual transmission."
Brig. Al Rawas said in a statement in January 2018, "This mechanism will be implemented as of January 1, 2019. This was based on a study conducted by the General Directorate of Traffic and included all driving instructors in all governorates of the Sultanate."
"The study survey confirmed that most driving teachers are looking forward to this change and we will give them a period of time to adjust their situation during the year 2018," he said.
“The decision was in response to the demands of teachers and drivers and members of the community to allow teaching and testing on automatic transmission cars, for both men and women, while also allowing those who wish to learn or test on the normal transmission to do so," Brig. Al Rawas added.
As of now, only women are allowed to take driving tests in automatic transmission cars.