$2,666 fine set for using wrong number plate in Saudi Arabia

JEDDAH — Running red signals and driving the wrong-way are grave traffic violations with a maximum ticketing of SR6,000, according to the executive regulations of the new Traffic Law that came into effect last month. Motorists using wrong number plates will be slapped with a hefty fine up to SR10,000.

The General Directorate of Traffic announced details of the new regulations through a number of tweets on its official Twitter account. The traffic authorities also answered queries of several motorists regarding details of various traffic rules pertaining to violations.

The directorate warned motorists against running red signals, saying that this act poses risk to other motorists and may lead to major road accidents, claiming lives and sustaining injuries and loss of properties. Fines for this offense range between SR3,000 and SR6,000, depending on the gravity of the violation.

Replying to queries about motorists turning right while the signal light is red, the directorate officials explained that motorists should stop for a brief while to give way for the approaching vehicles and ensure that the intersection was free from vehicles coming into that direction before effecting their turn.

The directorate clarified that motorists using wrong number plates will be ticketed with a minimum fine of SR5,000 and a maximum of SR10,000. Moreover, the vehicle will be seized until the violation has been rectified. There will be fines ranging between SR100 and SR150 for vehicles without valid insurance, and fines ranging between SR300 and SR500 for not having safety seats for children.

Driving vehicles without turning on lights inside tunnels is a violation for which there will be a ticketing of SR500–SR900. Taking reverse for a length of more than 20 meters on public roads will be ticketed with an amount ranging between SR150 and SR300 while the penalty for throwing trash out of the vehicle is a minimum of SR300 and maximum of SR500. Misusing sound horn is also a violation for which the motorist will be ticketed between SR150 and SR300.

Parking vehicles in places that are not designated for parking as well as in places designated for people with disabilities are violations for which fines start from SR100. The Traffic Department has ticketed 3,215 vehicles in various regions of the Kingdom within a week for parking in places designated for people with disabilities. Fines ranging between SR100 and SR150 will slapped on those motorists who leave their vehicle without turning off engine.

The Traffic Department has identified 11 grave traffic violations that affect public safety and these include joyriding, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, running the red light, and driving vehicle in the wrong-way. The violations include speeding between vehicles on public roads, blurring number plates, overtaking at curves, driving vehicle without brakes or lights, using mobile phone while driving, and not completely stopping at the sign board of “Stop.”

The traffic regulations stated that there will be a fine of SR150 for not wearing seatbelts by drivers and front seat passengers and the penalty will be raised to SR300 and suspension of license for 24 hours, or both, in the event of repeating the violation within 30 days after the first violation.

The regulations state that driving license will be issued or renewed only after clearing the fines slapped for earlier violations. Fines for not carrying driving license will range between SR150 and SR300. The penalty for delay in renewing driving license will be a minimum of SR100 and a maximum of SR300.

There is no fine up to 60 days after the expiry of the license and then SR100 for up to one year. In the event of renewing the license after two or three years, the grace period of 60 days will not be given and the renewal will be considered effective from the date of expiry of the license.

The Traffic Directorate explained that windshield tinting is not a traffic violation provided that the vehicle owner adheres to several conditions, including that tinting is transparent and does not obscure the vision and that it is not reflective of the image in the form of a mirror. Tinting shall be one of the types allowed in the Kingdom and shall not be harmful to humans or environment.

It is not permissible to tint the front or rear windshield of vehicles in all cases. Windshield tinting is also not permissible for public taxi limousines, daily rental vehicles, sports vehicles with one door, vehicles transporting freight and public transport buses plying within cities.

The amendments to the executive regulations of the new Traffic Law included a new mechanism for calculating the points of traffic violations. The driving license will be suspended for a month if the number of points registered against the motorist reaches 90 within three years from the date of committing the first violation.

If the points reach 90 for the second time in the stipulated period of time, revocation of license will be for three months. In the event of repetition of this for a third time, the license will be revoked for six months and if it is repeated for the fourth time, the license will be revoked forever. If the points did not reach 90 within three years after the first violation, all points will be abrogated.

The points will be calculated in accordance to the gravity of violations. The points for violations in the schedule Nos. 1,2,3 and 8 of the regulations are two for each violation while the points for violations in schedule Nos. 4 and 5 are three for each violation and five points for violations in schedule Nos. 6 and 7.

Article 74 of the executive regulations states that the competent department must notify the violator in the event of accumulation of traffic fines without their payment. If the amount of fines reaches SR20,000 or six months have elapsed from the date of informing the violator about the non-payment of the fines; the violator shall be notified again to pay within a period not exceeding 30 days. In the event of failure of payment during this period, the case shall be referred to the concerned traffic court.

The new rules stipulate that traffic violations shall be registered by the concerned traffic authorities within two to five days after its occurrence; and the motorist has the right to object to the violation within 30 days from the date of registering the violation.

Objections can be registered on the designated option of “Objections to traffic violations” in the traffic section of Absher portal. In the event of vindicating the objection, the amount of fine already paid will be refunded to the same account from which it was paid electronically. The Traffic Directorate launched an electronic objection service for traffic violations through Absher in March 2019.