In force Last amended 2/3/1447 AH
Saudi Traffic Law
نظام المرور
The Traffic Law covers its scope and terms, vehicle registration and licenses, vehicle weights, dimensions and inspection, driving licenses, rules of the road, accidents, recording violations and setting penalties, general provisions, schedules and guidance signs.
- Articles
- 85
- In force
- 84
- Amended
- 33
- Issued
- 26/10/1428 AH
Issued by: مرسوم ملكي رقم م/85 بتاريخ 26 / 10 / 1428 · قرار رقم (٣١٥) وتاريخ ٢٤ / ١٠ / ١٤٢٨ هـ
Each article shows the official Arabic text, which is the only legally binding version, followed by our plain-English explanation.
Browse Traffic Law by topic
Articles of the Saudi Traffic Law
الباب الأول: نطاق سريان النظام وتعريف المصطلحاتArticles 1–2
- Article 1تسري أحكام هذا النظام، والجداول الملحقة به، ولائحته، على المركبات بجميع أنواعها والدراجات، كما يسري على مرور المشاة والحيوان في الطرق…Amended
- Article 2يقصد بالألفاظ والعبارات التالية - أينما وردت في هذا النظام - المعاني المبينة أمامها ما لم يقتض السياق خلاف ذلك: 1 - الطريق : كل سبيل مفتوح…Amended
الباب الثاني: تسجيل المركبات ورخص السيرArticles 3–21
- Article 3The article requires every vehicle to have its own number registered with the competent department, and makes the vehicle license number the same as the plate number, amended together with it.
- Article 4The article requires every vehicle, except a motorcycle, a trailer and a semi-trailer, to carry two visible, legible plates at the front and rear, and it may not travel without them.
- Article 5The article regulates the plates of motorcycles, trailers and semi-trailers, and refers to the Regulations which provisions of the Law apply to trailers in a way that suits their nature.Amended
- Article 6The article bars any vehicle from carrying plates other than those issued by the competent department (the Traffic Department).
- Article 7تنقسم لوحات المركبات إلى الأنواع الآتية: 1 - اللوحات الخاصة ، وتشمل الآتي: أ - لوحات المركبات الخاصة . ب - لوحات مركبات النقل الخاصة . ج -…Amended
- Article 8أ - لا يجوز تسيير المركبات قبل تسجيلها ودفع الرسوم المقررة - وفقا لجداول الرسوم الملحقة بهذا النظام - وصدور رخصة السير الخاصة بها، ووضع…Amended
- Article 9The article allows vehicle ownership to be transferred after the prescribed fees are paid, keeps the registered owner responsible for the vehicle's fees and obligations with a right of recourse against the new owner, and refers the procedures to the Regulations.
- Article 10The article allows the field of use of a vehicle to be amended at the request of its owner or his delegate, after its registration is amended, and refers the procedures and conditions to the Regulations.
- Article 11The article requires the vehicle license to be in the vehicle while it travels, lets a security officer ask to see it, and bars him from retaining it.
- Article 12The article bans keeping a vehicle license with third parties, and bans pledging it or taking it in pledge.
- Article 13The article provides that vehicle licenses and plates are issued after the prescribed fees are paid, and that fees are collected when vehicles owned by diplomatic missions are sold, with the conditions left to the Regulations.
- Article 14أ - مدد صلاحية رخص سير المركبات بأنواعها ثلاث سنوات. وتحدد اللائحة شروط ذلك. ب - تجدد رخص السير بعد دفع الرسوم المقررة.Amended
- Article 15The article provides for a replacement to be issued for vehicle licenses or plates that are lost or damaged, after the prescribed fees are paid, with the procedures left to the Regulations.
- Article 16لا تستحصل رسوم نقل الملكية على المركبات التي تباع بقصد تفكيكها والانتفاع بأجزائها، وعلى المالك إنهاء إجراءات إسقاط المركبة من اسمه في…Amended
- Article 17لا تجوز قيادة المركبة من قبل شخص غير مالكها - عند الخروج بها من المملكة - إلا بموجب تفويض، وفق ما تحدده اللائحة .Amended
- Article 18The article requires government bodies not to sell their vehicles except after coordinating with the competent department (the Traffic Department).
- Article 19The article requires public works vehicles to be registered with the competent body so as to ensure their owner is known, to have plates fitted, and leaves transfer procedures and conditions of use and driving to the Regulations.
- Article 20لوزير الداخلية إسناد سحب المركبات وحجزها للقطاع الخاص، وفقا للضوابط والأحكام الخاصة بمنافسة سحب السيارات وحجزها. وتحدد اللائحة ذلك.Amended
- Article 21أ - لا يجوز افتتاح معارض لبيع المركبات إلا بترخيص من الإدارة المختصة ، وبعد الحصول على السجل التجاري. ب - يحظر على أصحاب معارض بيع…Amended
الباب الثالث: أوزان المركبات وأبعادها وفحصهاArticles 22–31
- Article 22The article requires compliance with the weights and dimensions set by law for vehicles.
- Article 23تعد -بالاتفاق بين وزير الداخلية ووزير النقل - قواعد وإجراءات ضبط مخالفات الأوزان والأبعاد المقررة ، وتعديل هذه القواعد والإجراءات، وتحديد…
- Article 24The article subjects all vehicles to the specifications and standards approved by the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization.
- Article 25The article bans, without prior authorization from the competent body, any modification to a vehicle that changes its color, features or basic equipment, or increases its load or prescribed dimensions.
- Article 26The article subjects all vehicles of all types to a periodic technical inspection to confirm their fitness for use, and refers its special conditions to the Regulations.
- Article 27يجوز التصريح بنقل الحمولات غير القابلة للتجزئة التي تزيد أوزانها أو أبعادها عن تلك المقررة نظاما. ويحدد وزيرا الداخلية والنقل شروط ذلك…
- Article 28The article makes the driver responsible for all damage to lives or public or private property resulting from carrying loads that violate the prescribed weights and dimensions or from ignoring loading safety rules, unless another's responsibility is proven.
- Article 29The article bans fitting or using unauthorized sound or light warning devices in vehicles.
- Article 30The article requires a trailer, or a broken-down vehicle when it is towed, to be fitted with rear and side lights or reflectors that allow it to be seen.
- Article 31The article requires large vehicles, such as trucks, buses and public works vehicles, and animal-drawn vehicles to be fitted with lights or reflective strips at the rear and on both sides.
الباب الرابع: رخص القيادةArticles 32–49
- Article 32The article bans anyone from driving any vehicle before obtaining the necessary driving license in accordance with the Traffic Law and its Regulations.
- Article 33The article requires the driver to carry a valid driving license when driving a vehicle, lets a security officer ask to see it, and bars him from retaining it.
- Article 34The article bars the holder of a license to drive military vehicles from driving civilian vehicles until he obtains a driving license from the competent department.
- Article 35The article divides driving licenses into four types: private, public, public works vehicles and motorcycles, and refers the setting of their categories and specifications to the Regulations.
- Article 36يشترط للحصول على رخصة القيادة ما يلي: 1 - إتمام سن الثامنة عشرة لرخصة القيادة الخاصة وقيادة الدراجات الآلية. 2 - إتمام سن العشرين لرخصة…Amended
- Article 37The article exempts the holder of a foreign or international driving license, recognized by the competent department in the Kingdom and valid, from the driving test condition in paragraph (7) of Article 36.
- Article 38تتولى الإدارة المختصة -بالتنسيق مع الجهات المعنية الأخرى- تنظيم أندية السيارات التي تمنح رخصا دولية.Amended
- Article 39The article allows, as an exception to paragraph (1) of Article 36 and under controls set by the Regulations, a temporary license of no more than one year for those who have reached age 17.
- Article 40The article provides that the conditions for obtaining a driving license by members of diplomatic and consular missions and regional and international bodies accredited in the Kingdom are prepared by agreement between the Ministers of Interior and Foreign Affairs.
- Article 41تكون مدة صلاحية رخص القيادة الخاصة ورخص قيادة الدراجات الآلية عشر سنوات، وبقية أنواع الرخص خمس سنوات.Amended
- Article 42The article sets the period of use of a recognized international or foreign driving license at one year from the date its holder enters the Kingdom or until its validity ends, whichever is earlier.
- Article 43The article gives a person with special needs the right to obtain a driving license after submitting an approved medical report proving his ability to drive, under controls set by the Regulations.
- Article 44The article provides that a driving license is renewed after paying the prescribed fees and any outstanding fines, and leaves the renewal conditions to the Implementing Regulations.
- Article 45The article allows a replacement to be issued for a lost or damaged driving license after paying the prescribed fees and any outstanding fines, and leaves the procedures to the Implementing Regulations.
- Article 46The article prohibits holding a driving license with others and also prohibits pledging it or taking it as a pledge, so a license may not be used as security for any obligation.
- Article 47يجوز إنشاء أو تشغيل مدارس لتعليم قيادة المركبات، كما تجوز ممارسة مهنة تعليم القيادة، وفق ما تحدده اللائحة .Amended
- Article 48The article allows the competent department to cancel a driving license or not renew it if its holder is proven to lack legal capacity or medical fitness to drive the vehicles they are licensed to drive.
- Article 49The article allows the Minister of Interior to permit the establishment of non-governmental civil associations to raise public awareness and reduce road accidents, and leaves their duties and powers to the Implementing Regulations.
الباب الخامس: قواعد السير على الطرقArticles 50–58
- Article 50الطريق للجميع، وتجب مراعاة حقوق الآخرين من مستخدميه.Amended
- Article 51The article makes road signs, reflectors, and signposts attached to the law part of it, and requires drivers to comply with them and with instructions from the competent authorities in accordance with the law and its regulations.
- Article 52The article prohibits damaging, tampering with, or moving road signs, reflectors, and signposts, and any act that reduces their importance and clarity or undermines their internationally agreed meaning.
- Article 53The article provides that the direction of traffic on roads in the Kingdom is the right-hand side.
- Article 54The article gives priority of passage to emergency vehicles while carrying out their duties and to official convoys, but does not relieve their drivers from driving in a way that ensures the safety of others.
- Article 55The article requires pedestrians to walk in the places designated for them and leaves the determination of these places to the Implementing Regulations.
- Article 56The article prohibits overtaking school transport buses when they stop to load or unload, and leaves the necessary conditions to the Implementing Regulations.
- Article 57The article requires vehicle drivers and passengers to use seat belts and child seats while traveling on roads.
- Article 58The article requires motorcycle drivers and their companions to wear a head helmet securely while driving, and leaves the conditions to the Implementing Regulations.
الباب السادس: الحوادثArticles 59–65
- Article 59The article divides traffic accidents into a minor traffic accident and a serious traffic accident, and leaves the details to the Implementing Regulations.
- Article 60The article provides that a traffic accident gives rise to liability if it results from negligence, lack of caution, or failure to observe the laws.
- Article 61تباشر الإدارة المختصة إجراءات التحقيق في الحادث فور وقوعه، وتستكمل الإجراءات بأسرع وقت ممكن، وإذا نتج من الحادث وفاة أو إصابة بدنية جسيمة…Amended
- Article 62كل من أتلف نفس إنسان - كلا أو بعضا - في حادث سير متعديا أو مفرطا، يعاقب بالسجن مدة لا تزيد على سنة واحدة، وبغرامة مالية لا تزيد على عشرة…Amended
- Article 63مع مراعاة ما ورد في المادتين (الحادية والستين) و(الثانية والستين) من هذا النظام، على كل سائق يكون طرفا في حادث مروري أن يوقف المركبة في…Amended
- Article 64يحظر على أصحاب الورش والعاملين فيها أو غيرهم، القيام بأي إجراء من الإجراءات الآتية دون الحصول على تصريح مسبق بذلك - ساري المفعول - من…Amended
- Article 65لا يجوز بيع أي مركبة تالفة أو شراؤها إلا بتصريح مسبق من الإدارة المختصة، ويعاقب من يخالف ذلك بغرامة مالية لا تزيد على خمسة آلاف ريال، وفي…Amended
الباب السابع: ضبط المخالفات وتحديد الجزاءاتArticles 66–79
- Article 66The article gives the Minister of Interior, or his delegate, the power to determine the authorities empowered to detect violations of the provisions of the Traffic Law.
- Article 67The article makes deciding disputes and traffic accident cases the jurisdiction of the competent courts.
- Article 68مع عدم الإخلال بأي عقوبة أشد منصوص عليها في نظام آخر، يعاقب كل من يرتكب إحدى المخالفات الواردة في جداول المخالفات الملحقة بهذا النظام بما…Amended
- Article 69The article makes drifting (tafheet) a traffic violation, punishable by impounding the vehicle and escalating fines from SAR 20,000 to SAR 60,000, with referral to the competent court.
- Article 70The article punishes anyone who holds a vehicle registration or driving license with others, or pledges it or takes it as a pledge, with a fine of not less than SAR 1,000 and not more than SAR 2,000.
- Article 71تحدد غرامة التأخير عن تجديد رخص القيادة ورخص السير بمبلغ مائة ريال عن كل سنة أو جزء منها، وبحد أعلى ثلاثمائة ريال فقط، وتطبق الغرامة بعد…Repealed
- Article 72أ - يعاقب كل من يخالف حكم الفقرة (أ) من المادة (الحادية والعشرين) من هذا النظام بغرامة مالية مقدارها عشرة آلاف ريال مع إغلاق المعرض محل…Amended
- Article 73تحرر مخالفات السير بموجب نموذج ضبط موحد ومعتمد، يحدد المخالفة، والمدة المقررة لدفع قيمتها. وللمخالف دفع الحد الأدنى للغرامة لأقرب إدارة…Amended
- Article 74The article escalates the penalty for repeating violations that endanger public safety within a year, and allows the deportation of a non-Saudi after a final conviction for one of them.Amended M/50
- Article 75The article regulates objecting to a traffic violation before the competent court within 30 days, the periods for paying the fine and enforcement against bank accounts, and paying the fine in installments and reducing it.Amended
- Article 76The article sets a number of points for each violation according to its seriousness, records them in the violator's record, and withdraws the driving license when the maximum permitted points are exceeded.
- Article 77إذا سمح مالك المركبة ، أو المسئول عن قيادتها، أو حائزها، لشخص آخر ليست لديه رخصة قيادة بقيادة المركبة ؛ فيعاقب بغرامة مالية لا تزيد على…Amended
- Article 78The article requires notifying the competent department of the sale or destruction of a vehicle outside the Kingdom to cancel its registration and hand in the registration and plates, otherwise a fine of up to SAR 10,000 applies.
- Article 79تباع بالمزاد العلني المركبات المحجوزة لدى الإدارة المختصة بسبب ارتكاب مالكيها مخالفات مرورية تستوجب الحجز وفقا لأحكام هذا النظام إذا لم…Amended
الباب الثامن: أحكام عامةArticles 80–85
- Article 80The article establishes a Higher Traffic Council in the Ministry of Interior by royal order, as the supreme authority supervising traffic affairs through drawing up the general traffic policy.
- Article 81The article specifies the jurisdiction of the competent court to hear lawsuits against violators of the Traffic Law or its regulations, and objections to decisions of the competent department and the authorities concerned with applying them.
- Article 82The article allows the competent court, for considerations it assesses, to suspend execution of the sentence imposed.
- Article 83The article provides that the Traffic Law replaces the Traffic Law issued by Royal Decree No. (M/49) in 1391 AH and its amendments, and repeals any provisions that conflict with it.
- Article 84The article requires the Minister of Interior to issue the Implementing Regulations of the Traffic Law within 180 days of its publication.
- Article 85The article provides for publishing the Traffic Law in the Official Gazette and for it to come into force 180 days after its publication.
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