Article 3 of the Saudi Traffic Law
المادة 3 من نظام المرور · الباب الثاني: تسجيل المركبات ورخص السير
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.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
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 اللوحة فإنه يجب إجراء التغيير نفسه على رخصة السير .
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 3 explained in plain English
This article sets two basic rules on vehicle registration. The first is that every vehicle has its own number that it carries and that is registered with the competent department, which under the definition in Article 2 is the department authorized to regulate traffic, issue driving and vehicle licenses and issue plates (the Traffic Department). The article leaves the details of this registration to the Implementing Regulations of the Law; the text itself does not state the numbering method or procedures.
The second rule is that the vehicle license number is the same as the vehicle's plate number. As defined in Article 2, the vehicle license is an official document that permits the vehicle to travel on the roads. Two consequences follow from this link:
- The vehicle license may not carry a number that differs from the vehicle's plate number.
- If any change is made to the plate number, the same change must be made to the vehicle license, so that the two numbers remain identical.
Article 4 complements this rule by requiring every vehicle, except a motorcycle, a trailer and a semi-trailer, to carry two visible, legible plates showing its registration number, one at the front and one at the rear, and it may not travel without them. The number registered under this article is therefore the number that appears on the plates and on the vehicle license alike.
In practice, a vehicle owner should make sure the number on the vehicle license matches the number on the plates fitted to the vehicle, and should update the vehicle license if the plate number changes. Anyone facing a problem with the registration of their vehicle or its details may consult a lawyer who specializes in traffic matters.
Practical example
The plate number of Khalid's car in Jeddah changed for a legal reason, and the car now has a new number. Under this article the same change must be made to the vehicle license; the license cannot remain in the old number while the car carries a plate with a different number.
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 3 of the Saudi Traffic Law
Is the vehicle license number the same as the car's plate number?
Yes. The article provides that the vehicle license number is the same as the vehicle's plate number.
What must be done if a vehicle's plate number changes?
The same change must be made to the vehicle license, so that its number remains identical to the plate number.
Who sets how a vehicle number is registered?
The number is registered with the competent department (the Traffic Department) as the Implementing Regulations of the Law specify.
More articles on Vehicle Registration and Operating License
- 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.
- Article 11
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.
يجب أن تكون رخصة سير المركبة موجودة بها أثناء سيرها، ولرجل الأمن حق طلب إبرازها للاطلاع عليها، وليس له حجزها.
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.