Article 24 of the Saudi Traffic Law
المادة 24 من نظام المرور · الباب الثالث: أوزان المركبات وأبعادها وفحصها
The article subjects all vehicles to the specifications and standards approved by the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
تخضع جميع المركبات للمواصفات والمقاييس المعتمدة من الهيئة العربية السعودية للمواصفات والمقاييس .
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 24 explained in plain English
This article provides that all vehicles are subject to the specifications and standards approved by the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization. Three things are clear from it:
- Generality: the rule covers all vehicles, with no exception in the text.
- Technical reference: the specifications to be complied with are those approved by that organization, not what the manufacturer, importer or owner chooses.
- No detail: the article does not state the specifications themselves but refers to what the organization approves.
In practice this rule matters to vehicle importers and sellers, and to anyone who buys or modifies a vehicle, since the vehicle should remain in conformity with the approved specifications.
The article is linked to Article 25, which bans, without prior authorization from the competent body, any modification to a vehicle that changes its color, its features or its basic equipment, or that increases its load or its prescribed dimensions. Article 24 identifies the technical reference for the vehicle, and Article 25 protects that position against unauthorized modification.
It is also linked to Article 23, which regulates the rules and procedures for detecting violations of the prescribed weights and dimensions, prepared by agreement between the Minister of Interior and the Minister of Transport, with a fine for each violation according to its seriousness up to a maximum of one hundred thousand riyals even if the violations are multiple. Article 24 itself does not state a penalty for non-conformity with the specifications. Anyone with a question about a vehicle's conformity with the specifications may consult a lawyer who specializes in traffic matters, or a commercial lawyer if the matter concerns importing or selling.
Practical example
An establishment in Jeddah imports cars from abroad to sell locally. Under this article these cars must be subject to the specifications and standards approved by the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization.
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 24 of the Saudi Traffic Law
Are all cars subject to the specifications of the Standards Organization?
Yes. The article provides that all vehicles are subject to the specifications and standards approved by the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization.
Does the article state the vehicle specifications in detail?
No. The article refers to what the Organization approves without stating the specifications themselves.
May a car be modified after it is bought?
Article 25 bans, without prior authorization, any modification that changes the vehicle's color, features or basic equipment, or increases its load or prescribed dimensions.
More articles on Vehicle Inspection and Weights
- Article 22
The article requires compliance with the weights and dimensions set by law for vehicles.
يجب التقيد بالأوزان والأبعاد المقررة نظاما للمركبات.
- Article 25
The 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.
يحظر -دون تصريح سابق من الجهة المختصة- إجراء أي تعديل في المركبة يغير لونها، أو معالمها، أو تجهيزاتها الأساسية، أو يؤدي إلى زيادة حمولتها، أو أبعادها المقررة.
- Article 26
The 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.
تخضع جميع المركبات - على اختلاف أنواعها - لفحص فني دوري للتأكد من صلاحيتها للاستعمال، وتحدد اللائحة الشروط الخاصة لذلك.
- Article 28
The 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.
يعد السائق مسئولا عن جميع الأضرار التي تصيب الأرواح أو الممتلكات العامة أو الخاصة ؛ نتيجة لنقل أحمال مخالفة للأوزان والأبعاد المقررة نظاما، أو لعدم مراعاة قواعد
- Article 29
The article bans fitting or using unauthorized sound or light warning devices in vehicles.
يحظر وضع أجهزة تنبيه صوتية أو ضوئية غير مصرح بها أو استعمالها في المركبات.
- Article 30
The 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.
يجب تزويد المقطورة ، أو المركبة المتعطلة - عند سحبها - بأنوار أو عاكسات خلفية وجانبية تسمح برؤيتها.
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.