Article 4 of the Saudi Traffic Law
المادة 4 من نظام المرور · الباب الثاني: تسجيل المركبات ورخص السير
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.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
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 في مؤخرتها، ولا يجوز سير المركبة دونهما.
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 4 explained in plain English
This article sets the number, position and condition of a vehicle's plates. As a rule every vehicle must carry two plates showing its registration number:
- One plate at the front of the vehicle.
- One plate at the rear of the vehicle.
The text requires the plates to be visible and legible; having a plate is not enough if it is hidden or not clearly readable. The text then states expressly that the vehicle may not travel without both plates, so their presence is a condition of its traveling on the road.
The article excepts three types from the two-plate rule: the motorcycle, the trailer and the semi-trailer. Article 5 gives these types a special rule: a motorcycle carries one clear, legible plate fixed at its rear and may not travel without it, and a trailer and a semi-trailer carry the plate number of the towing vehicle if their size hides that plate from view, in addition to a plate of their own as the Regulations specify.
The number the two plates carry is the number registered with the competent department under Article 3, which is also the vehicle license number. The driver should therefore make sure before traveling that both plates are in place and that their numbers are clear. Anyone with a question about plates or a violation connected with them may consult a lawyer who specializes in traffic matters.
Practical example
The front plate of Fahd's car in Riyadh fell off after a minor collision with a barrier, and he wanted to keep using the car with its rear plate only. Under this article the car may travel only with two visible, legible plates at the front and rear, so he must deal with the plate before using 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 4 of the Saudi Traffic Law
Is it permitted to drive a car with one plate?
No. The article requires the vehicle to carry two plates at the front and rear and not to travel without them, unless it is a motorcycle, trailer or semi-trailer.
Is it enough to have a plate if it is not clear?
The text requires the two plates to be visible and legible and to show the registration number.
How many plates does a motorcycle carry?
The motorcycle is excepted from this article, and under Article 5 it carries one plate fixed at its rear.
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 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.