Article 11 of the Saudi Traffic Law
المادة 11 من نظام المرور · الباب الثاني: تسجيل المركبات ورخص السير
The 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.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يجب أن تكون رخصة سير المركبة موجودة بها أثناء سيرها، ولرجل الأمن حق طلب إبرازها للاطلاع عليها، وليس له حجزها.
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 11 explained in plain English
The vehicle license (popularly known as the istimara) is the document that permits the vehicle to travel on the roads, and this article sets three rules about it:
- It must be in the vehicle while it travels: the obligation is tied to the vehicle itself while it is moving; that is, the license should be with it on the road.
- The security officer's right to ask to see it: a security officer may ask to see the vehicle license, and the driver must show it to him.
- No retention: the security officer may not retain the vehicle license; his right is limited to looking at it.
This balance protects two interests: the interest of the security authorities in verifying that the vehicle is licensed, and the owner's interest in not having his vehicle's document taken from him. The rule is consistent with Article 12, which bans keeping a vehicle license with third parties or pledging it or taking it in pledge; the license is a document that goes with the vehicle and is not used as security or held back.
The article does not say what follows if the license is not in the vehicle, nor whether showing it by another means is accepted; those matters are outside the text of the article. Anyone whose vehicle license has been retained, or who objects to a procedure concerning it, may consult a lawyer who specializes in traffic matters.
Practical example
A security officer stopped a car driven by Sultan in Taif and asked for the vehicle license, and he showed it to him. Under this article the officer may look at it but may not retain it; it is returned to Sultan after he has looked at it.
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 11 of the Saudi Traffic Law
Must the istimara be inside the car?
Yes. The article requires the vehicle license to be in the vehicle while it travels.
May a traffic officer retain the istimara?
No. A security officer may ask to see it, but may not retain it.
May the istimara be pledged or left with someone?
No. Article 12 bans keeping a vehicle license with third parties or pledging it or taking it in pledge.
More articles on Vehicle Registration and Operating License
- Article 3
The 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.
أ - يكون لكل مركبة رقم خاص تحمله مسجل لدى الإدارة المختصة، وفق ما تحدده اللائحة . ب - يكون رقم رخصة السير هو رقم لوحة المركبة نفسه، وإذا أجري أي تغيير في رقم ال
- Article 4
The 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.
يجب أن تحمل كل مركبة - فيما عدا الدراجة الآلية و المقطورة ونصف المقطورة - لوحتين ظاهرتين مقروءتين، توضحان رقم تسجيلهما، تكون إحداهما في مقدمة المركبة ، والأخرى
- Article 5Amended (1445 AH)
The 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.
أ- يجب أن تحمل كل دراجة آلية لوحة واحدة، واضحة، ومقروءة، تثبت على مؤخرتها، ولا يجوز السير دونها. ب- يجب أن تحمل كل مقطورة أو نصف مقطورة رقم لوحة المركبة القاطرة
- Article 6
The article bars any vehicle from carrying plates other than those issued by the competent department (the Traffic Department).
لا يجوز لأي مركبة حمل لوحات غير التي تصدر من الإدارة المختصة.
- Article 9
The 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.
يجوز نقل ملكية المركبات بعد سداد الرسوم المقررة، وتستمر مسئولية المالك المسجلة ملكيته للمركبة عن جميع الرسوم وكل ما يترتب على المركبة من التزامات، ويمكنه العودة
- Article 10
The 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.
يجوز تعديل مجال استعمال المركبة بناء على طلب مالكها أو من يفوضه، بعد تعديل تسجيلها. وتحدد اللائحة إجراءات وشروط ذلك.
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.