Article 81 of the Saudi Traffic Law
المادة 81 من نظام المرور · الباب الثامن: أحكام عامة
The article specifies the jurisdiction of the competent court to hear lawsuits against violators of the Traffic Law or its regulations, and objections to decisions of the competent department and the authorities concerned with applying them.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
تنظر المحكمة المختصة فيما يلي:
1 - الدعاوى التي تقام ضد من يخالف أحكام هذا النظام أو لائحته.
2 - الاعتراضات التي تقدم ضد قرارات الإدارة المختصة أو أي جهة معنية بشأن تطبيق أحكام هذا النظام أو لائحته.
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 81 explained in plain English
This article specifies what the competent court hears under the Traffic Law, which is of two kinds:
- Lawsuits brought against anyone who violates the provisions of the law or its regulations: that is, cases brought against a person because of violating the law or the regulations.
- Objections submitted against decisions of the competent department or any concerned authority regarding the application of the provisions of the law or its regulations: that is, whoever considers that a decision issued in applying the law is incorrect may object to it before the competent court.
The practical importance of the second paragraph is that it is not limited to decisions of the competent department, but covers decisions of "any concerned authority" in applying the law or its regulations.
The article does not specify the name of the competent court or the periods or procedures for objection; these are matters the text does not address.
Among the related articles, Article 80 establishes a Higher Traffic Council in the Ministry of Interior, which is the supreme authority supervising traffic affairs through drawing up the general traffic policy. Article 82 allows the competent court, for considerations it assesses, to suspend execution of the sentence imposed.
Anyone who wants to object to a decision issued in applying the Traffic Law would do well to consult a lawyer specializing in traffic and administrative cases to learn the appropriate route.
Practical example
The competent department in Abha issued a decision in application of the provisions of the Traffic Law regarding a vehicle owned by Hassan, and Hassan considered the decision incorrect. Under the article, he may submit his objection to this decision to the competent court.
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 81 of the Saudi Traffic Law
Can decisions of the traffic department be objected to?
Yes. The competent court hears objections submitted against decisions of the competent department or any concerned authority regarding the application of the Traffic Law or its regulations.
What cases does the competent court hear under the Traffic Law?
It hears lawsuits brought against violators of the law or its regulations, and objections to decisions issued in applying them.
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.