Article 35 of the Saudi Traffic Law

المادة 35 من نظام المرور · الباب الرابع: رخص القيادة

The 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.

Official text (Arabic)

This article has not been amended since the law was issued.

تنقسم رخص القيادة إلى:

1 - رخصة قيادة خاصة .

2 - رخصة قيادة عامة .

3 - رخصة قيادة مركبات أشغال عامة .

4 - رخصة قيادة دراجة آلية .

وتحدد اللائحة فئات هذه الرخص ومواصفاتها.

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 35 explained in plain English

This article sets out the types of driving licenses in the Kingdom, which are four:

A private driving license.
A public driving license.
A public works vehicle driving license.
A motorcycle driving license.

The article itself does not say which vehicles each license permits to be driven, or the categories into which they are divided, but provides that the Implementing Regulations set the categories and specifications of these licenses. Anyone who wants to know the license required for a particular vehicle should refer to the Regulations.

The importance of this division appears when it is read with Article 36, which sets the conditions for obtaining a driving license, some of which differ by type of license:

Reaching age 18 for a private driving license and for driving motorcycles.
Reaching age 20 for a public driving license and for driving public works vehicles.
An applicant for a public license or a public works vehicle license must not previously have been convicted by a court of a crime of assault on a person, honor or property, unless his rehabilitation has been restored.

Article 36 also sets other conditions for all types, among them that the applicant, whatever the type of license, must not have been convicted by a court of the drug offenses it mentions unless his rehabilitation has been restored, lawful residence for non-Saudis, freedom from diseases and disabilities that prevent driving, passing the driving test, payment of fees, and payment of previous fines if any.

It is also linked to Article 34, which bars the holder of a license to drive military vehicles from driving civilian vehicles until he obtains a license from the competent department. Anyone with a question about the type of license suited to his work may refer to the Regulations or consult a lawyer who specializes in traffic matters.

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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