Article 15 of the Saudi Traffic Law
المادة 15 من نظام المرور · الباب الثاني: تسجيل المركبات ورخص السير
The 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.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يتم إصدار بدل لما يفقد أو يتلف من رخص السير، أو اللوحات، بعد دفع الرسوم المقررة. وتحدد اللائحة الإجراءات اللازمة لذلك.
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 15 explained in plain English
This article deals with a common situation: the vehicle license (istimara) or the vehicle's plate is lost or damaged. The rule is:
- What a replacement covers: vehicle licenses and plates.
- The reason for a replacement: loss or damage.
- The condition stated in the text: payment of the prescribed fees.
- Procedures: set by the Implementing Regulations; the text does not state them.
If an owner loses the vehicle license or the plate of his vehicle is damaged, the lawful route is to request a replacement from the competent body after paying the prescribed fees, under the procedures the Regulations set out. The article does not state the amount of the replacement fees or the documents required.
The article is linked to Article 14, which sets the validity of vehicle licenses of all types at three years under the conditions of the Regulations and provides for their renewal after the prescribed fees are paid. A replacement is different from a renewal: a replacement is for a document that was lost or damaged, while a renewal is for a document whose term has expired. It is also linked to Article 16, which exempts from ownership transfer fees vehicles sold for the purpose of dismantling them and using their parts, requires the owner to complete the procedures for removing the vehicle from his name in the traffic records, and makes him responsible for any misuse of it if he does not take that step.
Anyone who has difficulty obtaining a replacement for their vehicle documents may refer to the Regulations or consult a lawyer who specializes in traffic matters.
Practical example
Noura lost the vehicle license of her car while traveling in Abha. Under this article she may request a replacement for the lost vehicle license after paying the prescribed fees, under the procedures the Regulations set.
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 15 of the Saudi Traffic Law
What should I do if my car's istimara is lost?
The article allows a replacement to be issued for lost vehicle licenses after the prescribed fees are paid, under the procedures the Regulations set.
Can a replacement be issued for a damaged car plate?
Yes. The article covers lost or damaged plates as well as vehicle licenses.
What is the difference between replacing and renewing a vehicle license?
A replacement is for a license that was lost or damaged under this article, whereas renewal is governed by Article 14 and takes place after the prescribed fees are paid.
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.