Article 51 of the Saudi Traffic Law
المادة 51 من نظام المرور · الباب الخامس: قواعد السير على الطرق
The article makes road signs, reflectors, and signposts attached to the law part of it, and requires drivers to comply with them and with instructions from the competent authorities in accordance with the law and its regulations.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
تعد علامات الطريق و العاكسات و الشاخصات الملحقة بهذا النظام جزءا منه، ويجب على السائق التقيد بها وبالتعليمات الصادرة من الجهات المختصة، وفقا لأحكام هذا النظام ولائحته.
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 51 explained in plain English
This article sets out two important rules:
- Road signs, reflectors, and signposts attached to the law are part of it: they have the same binding force as the articles of the law, so violating what a sign indicates is a violation of the law itself, not merely a failure to follow optional guidance.
- The driver must comply with these signs, and also with instructions issued by the competent authorities.
The article limits this obligation by providing that it is in accordance with the provisions of the law and its regulations, so the instructions that count are those issued by the competent authorities within the framework of the law and the Implementing Regulations.
The signs meant are those attached to the law. The article does not explain their shapes and meanings, so the annex itself should be consulted for that.
Article 52 complements this provision by prohibiting damaging, tampering with, or moving road signs, reflectors, and signposts, or doing anything that makes them less important or clear or that undermines the general internationally agreed meaning. The two articles are also consistent with the principle set by Article 50: the road is for everyone and the rights of its other users must be respected.
If a violation has been recorded against you for not complying with a sign or signpost and you believe it is incorrect, you can consult a lawyer specializing in traffic cases.
Practical example
Fahd was driving in a street in Medina and found a sign prohibiting left turns, but he turned left because he saw the street was empty. Under this article, the sign is part of the law, and the driver must comply with it even if the road is empty.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
How we write and review contentA question about Article 51 of Traffic Law?
Describe what happened and specialist lawyers answer. You can write in English.
- Completely free
- Lawyers from the directory answer
- Your name stays hidden
General Practice lawyers: ask a specialist about your case
Describe your situation briefly and we'll suggest a lawyer who specialises in this law
General Practice lawyers
Lawyers who handle this kind of case
Ali Al-Rubaie Law Office
Khalid Abdulrahman Al-Hajlah Law and Arbitration Office
Frequently asked questions about Article 51 of the Saudi Traffic Law
Are traffic signs legally binding?
Yes. Road signs, reflectors, and signposts attached to the Traffic Law are part of it, and the driver must comply with them.
Must instructions from the competent authorities on the road be followed?
The article requires the driver to comply with instructions issued by the competent authorities, in accordance with the provisions of the law and its regulations.
More articles on Rules of the Road
- 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.
- 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.
- Article 31
The article requires large vehicles, such as trucks, buses and public works vehicles, and animal-drawn vehicles to be fitted with lights or reflective strips at the rear and on both sides.
يجب تزويد المركبات الكبيرة، كالشاحنات والحافلات ومركبات الأشغال العامة، وتلك التي تجرها الحيوانات ؛ بأنوار إضاءة أو شرائح عاكسة توضع في المؤخرة وعلى جانبي هذه ا
- Article 33
The article requires the driver to carry a valid driving license when driving a vehicle, lets a security officer ask to see it, and bars him from retaining it.
يجب على السائق أن يحمل رخصة قيادة سارية المفعول عند قيادته للمركبة، ولرجل الأمن حق طلب إبرازها للاطلاع عليها، وليس له حجزها.
- Article 52
The article prohibits damaging, tampering with, or moving road signs, reflectors, and signposts, and any act that reduces their importance and clarity or undermines their internationally agreed meaning.
يحظر إتلاف علامات الطريق و العاكسات و الشاخصات ، أو العبث بها، أو نقلها، أو القيام بأي تصرف يجعلها أقل أهمية ووضوحا، أو يؤدي إلى الإخلال بالمفهوم العام المتفق ع
- Article 53
The article provides that the direction of traffic on roads in the Kingdom is the right-hand side.
جهة السير على الطرق هي الجهة اليمنى.
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.