Article 70 of the Saudi Traffic Law
المادة 70 من نظام المرور · الباب السابع: ضبط المخالفات وتحديد الجزاءات
The article punishes anyone who holds a vehicle registration or driving license with others, or pledges it or takes it as a pledge, with a fine of not less than SAR 1,000 and not more than SAR 2,000.
Official text after amendments (Arabic)
Compiled from the original text and every officially published amendment; the amendments are shown in full below for comparison.
مع مراعاة ما ورد في المادتين (الثانية عشرة) و(السادسة والأربعين) من هذا النظام، يعاقب كل من حجز رخصة سير المركبة أو رخصة القيادة لدى الغير، أو رهنها، أو ارتهنها، بغرامة مالية لا تقل عن (ألف) ريال ولا تزيد على (ألفي) ريال
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 70 explained in plain English
This article sets the penalty for anyone who deals in a vehicle registration (the registration card) or a driving license in a prohibited way, covering the following acts:
- Holding a vehicle registration or a driving license with others.
- Pledging it, that is, handing it over as security.
- Taking it as a pledge, that is, accepting it as security from its owner.
The penalty is a fine of not less than SAR 1,000 and not more than SAR 2,000. The text punishes "anyone" who commits one of these acts, so it covers whoever holds the license, whoever pledges it, and whoever takes it as a pledge.
The article begins with the phrase "Subject to what is provided in Articles (Twelve) and (Forty-Six) of this Law", meaning that it is applied with regard to the provisions of those two articles, so their texts should be consulted when applying it.
The current text is as amended by Royal Decree No. (M/70) dated 6/11/1437 AH.
In the same context, Article 69 punishes drifting with impounding of the vehicle and a fine starting at SAR 20,000 for the first time and reaching SAR 60,000 for the third time, with referral to the competent court, and it excludes rented and stolen vehicles from the penalties of impounding or confiscation.
If your license or your car's registration is being held by someone, or a fine of this kind has been imposed on you, you can consult a lawyer specializing in traffic cases.
Practical example
Nasser bought a car in installments from a person in Qassim, and the seller required that he keep the car's registration until the last installment is paid. The seller keeping the registration as security falls under the punishable act of taking it as a pledge, and Nasser handing it over as security falls under pledging; the fine is not less than SAR 1,000 and not more than SAR 2,000.
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 70 of the Saudi Traffic Law
What is the fine for holding a driving license with others?
A fine of not less than SAR 1,000 and not more than SAR 2,000.
Is someone who pledges a vehicle registration punished?
Yes. The article punishes anyone who holds a vehicle registration or a driving license with others, or pledges it or takes it as a pledge.
Does the penalty cover someone who accepts the license as security?
Yes. Taking it as a pledge, that is, accepting the license as security, is one of the acts punished in the article.
Amendment history
Amendment
Official amendment text (Arabic)
تم تعديل هذه المادة بموجب المرسوم الملكي رقم : (م/70) وتاريخ : 6/ 11/ 1437هـ ، لتصبح بالنص الآتي:
" مع مراعاة ما ورد في المادتين (الثانية عشرة) و(السادسة والأربعين) من هذا النظام، يعاقب كل من حجز رخصة سير المركبة أو رخصة القيادة لدى الغير، أو رهنها، أو ارتهنها، بغرامة مالية لا تقل عن (ألف) ريال ولا تزيد على (ألفي) ريال ".
Original text before the amendments (Arabic)
مع مراعاة ما ورد في المادتين (الثانية عشرة) و(السادسة والأربعين) من هذا النظام، يعاقب كل من حجز رخصة سير المركبة أو رخصة القيادة لدى الغير، أو رهنها، أو ارتهنها بغرامة مالية لا تقل عن ثلاثمائة ريال ولا تزيد على تسعمائة ريال.
Articles this article refers to
- Article 12
The article bans keeping a vehicle license with third parties, and bans pledging it or taking it in pledge.
يحظر حجز رخصة سير المركبة لدى الغير، أو رهنها، أو ارتهانها.
- Article 46
The article prohibits holding a driving license with others and also prohibits pledging it or taking it as a pledge, so a license may not be used as security for any obligation.
يحظر حجز رخصة القيادة لدى الغير، أو رهنها، أو ارتهانها.
More articles on Traffic Violations and Fines
- 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 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 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 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 32
The article bans anyone from driving any vehicle before obtaining the necessary driving license in accordance with the Traffic Law and its Regulations.
يحظر على أي شخص قيادة أي مركبة قبل الحصول على رخصة القيادة اللازمة وفقا لأحكام هذا النظام ولائحته.
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.