Article 12 of the Saudi Road Transport Law
المادة 12 من نظام النقل العام على الطرق
The article allows the Minister of Transport to divide the Kingdom's public roads into transport zones by administrative division and transport needs, to regulate truck operations in them and to set traffic rules.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
لوزير المواصلات أن يقسم الطرق العامة بالمملكة إلى مناطق نقل حسب التقسيم الإداري وطبقا لاحتياجات النقل بكل منطقة، وأن ينظم عمل الشاحنات فيها، وأن يحدد قواعد وشروط السير فيها.
This is the official Arabic wording, the only legally binding version. We do not translate the law itself; the explanation below is ours. Official source: Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers
Article 12 explained in plain English
This article moves from passenger transport to freight transport by truck and gives the Minister of Transport three powers:
- Dividing the Kingdom's public roads into transport zones, where the division is made:
- according to the administrative division,
- and in line with the transport needs of each zone.
- Regulating truck operations in these zones.
- Setting the rules and conditions for traffic in them.
The wording "the Minister of Transport may..." means these are powers granted to him. The article gives no details of the division or the rules; these are left to what the Minister decides.
Provisions that follow complete this one: Article 13 allows the Minister, on the proposal of the competent committees, to set the number of trucks licensed to carry goods and equipment in the zones according to transport need. The division of roads into zones is the basis on which these provisions are built.
This provision matters to truck owners and transport companies, who must comply with the rules and conditions set for each zone. Anyone facing a restriction in a particular zone may consult a lawyer who specializes in administrative cases and transport regulations.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
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Frequently asked questions about Article 12 of the Saudi Road Transport Law
Who sets the rules for truck traffic in the zones?
The Minister of Transport may divide the public roads into transport zones, regulate truck operations in them and set the traffic rules and conditions.
On what basis are transport zones divided?
According to the administrative division and in line with the transport needs of each zone.
More articles on Freight Transport by Truck
- Article 13
The article allows the Minister of Transport, on the proposal of the competent committees, to set the number of trucks licensed to carry goods and equipment in the zones according to transport need.
يجوز لوزير المواصلات - بناء على اقتراح اللجان المختصة - أن يحدد عدد الشاحنات التي يرخص لها بنقل البضائع والمهمات في المناطق حسبما تقتضيه حاجة النقل.
- Article 14
Article 14 assigns to the Minister of Communications, by his decision, setting the rules governing licensing of the transport of goods and equipment for pay.
يحدد وزير المواصلات بقرار منه القواعد المنظمة للترخيص بنقل البضائع والمهمات بالأجر.
- Article 15
The article allows a concession to carry goods and equipment for a fee in one or more zones to be granted to a natural or legal person, following the procedures and rules in Chapter One of the Law.
يجوز منح التزام نقل البضائع والمهمات نظير أجر في المنطقة أو المناطق لأحد الأشخاص الطبيعيين أو الاعتباريين، وتتبع في هذه الحالة الإجراءات والقواعد المنصوص عليها
- Article 16
Article 16 assigns to the Ministry of Communications, in agreement with the Traffic Department, setting the routes allowed for transit transport in large cities where necessary, and prohibits violating those routes.
تحدد وزارة المواصلات بالاتفاق مع إدارة المرور المسارات المسموح بها في النقل العابر في المدن الكبرى متى كان ذلك ضروريا، ولا يجوز مخالفة ما يحدد من مسارات.
- Article 17
The article prohibits unloading or placing goods and equipment on public roads and their sidewalks, or on land that is unbuilt or not surrounded by outer walls.
لا يجوز تفريغ البضائع والمهمات أو وضعها بالطرق العامة وأرصفتها أو في الأراضي غير المبنية أو غير المحاطة بأسوار خارجية.
- Article 18
The article gives the Minister of Transport the power to set the various fares for carrying goods and equipment per measurement unit, a ton per kilometer.
يحدد وزير المواصلات الأجور المختلفة لنقل البضائع والمهمات لوحدة القياس (طن لمسافة كيلو متر).
The texts are reproduced from the official website of the Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers for reference; where they differ, the officially published Arabic text prevails. This content is not legal advice.