Article 18 of the Saudi Road Transport Law
المادة 18 من نظام النقل العام على الطرق
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.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يحدد وزير المواصلات الأجور المختلفة لنقل البضائع والمهمات لوحدة القياس (طن لمسافة كيلو متر).
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 18 explained in plain English
This article concerns pricing of goods transport and contains two points:
- The competent authority: the Minister of Transport is the one who sets the fares.
- The basis of calculation: fares are set per measurement unit (a ton per kilometer), meaning the fare is tied to both the weight of the load and the distance.
The phrase "the various fares" indicates that fares may not be the same for all types of transport, but the article gives no figures and does not explain the criteria for distinguishing between them; these are found in the Minister's decisions.
This provision is consistent with Article 20, which makes it one of the Ministry of Transport's duties to set the various fares for transport by all means other than air transport.
Knowing this rule is useful to carriers and owners of goods when agreeing on a transport fare, since the Minister sets the fares. The article does not explain the effect of agreeing on a fare different from the one the Minister sets, so anyone with a dispute over a transport fare should consult a lawyer who specializes in administrative cases and transport regulations.
Practical example
A merchant in Jeddah wants to ship 10 tons of goods to Taif. The transport fare is calculated according to what the Minister of Transport sets per ton per kilometer, multiplied by the weight of the load and the distance.
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 18 of the Saudi Road Transport Law
Who sets the prices for carrying goods by truck?
The Minister of Transport, who sets the various fares for carrying goods and equipment.
What unit is used to calculate goods transport fares?
A ton per kilometer.
More articles on Freight Transport by Truck
- Article 12
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.
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 وشرو
- 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.
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.