Article 5 of the Saudi Road Transport Law
المادة 5 من نظام النقل العام على الطرق
The article allows the Minister of Transport to operate transport lines by license before the concession is granted, during its procedures, or when it cannot continue, for no more than a year, renewable.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يجوز لوزير المواصلات في المدة السابقة على منح الالتزام أو أثناء السير في إجراءات منحه؛ أن يجعل استغلال النقل العام في ذلك الخط بطريق الترخيص ، كما يجوز له إذا ما تعذر استمرار الالتزام في خط أو منطقة ما أن يجعل استغلال ذلك الخط أو تلك المنطقة بطريق الترخيص إلى أن يصبح ممكنا العودة إلى طريقة الالتزام. ويحدد وزير المواصلات إجراءات وشروط الترخيص ومدته على ألا تزيد على سنة، ويجوز تجديدها لمدة أو لمدد أخرى.
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 5 explained in plain English
The rule under Article 2 is that public collective transport is by concession. But this article deals with cases where there is no concession in place, and allows the Minister of Transport to resort to a license instead, in two cases:
- Before the concession is granted or while its procedures are under way: the Minister may make the operation of public transport on the line by license.
- If the concession cannot continue on a line or in an area: he may make the operation of that line or area by license until it becomes possible to return to the concession method.
So a license here is a temporary solution to keep the service going, not a permanent substitute for the concession.
Provisions on the license:
- The Minister of Transport sets the procedures and conditions of the license and its period.
- The license period may not exceed one year.
- It may be renewed for another period or periods.
The text does not give the details of the procedures and conditions, but leaves them to what the Minister sets. Licensed parties are also subject to the supervision of the committee referred to in Article 7. Anyone who wants to obtain a license of this kind can consult a lawyer who specializes in administrative cases and transport laws.
Practical example
A concessionaire stopped operating a bus line in one area and its concession could not continue. The Minister of Transport may grant another company a license to operate the line for no more than a year, and renew it as needed, until it becomes possible to return to the concession method.
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 5 of the Saudi Road Transport Law
When is a public transport line operated by license instead of concession?
Before the concession is granted or during its procedures, or if the concession cannot continue on a line or in an area, until it becomes possible to return to the concession.
How long is a public transport license?
The Minister of Transport sets it, but it may not exceed one year, and it may be renewed for another period or periods.
More articles on Licensing Transport and Amending Routes
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.