Sipu Jha
Saudi Arabia is moving to tighten enforcement against unauthorized passenger transport activities, with the regulator proposing a fine of SR2,600 for individuals operating private vehicles without a licence, including in cases involving airport fares. According to the Saudi Gazette, the draft amendment is part of a broader effort to strengthen deterrent penalties under the Land Transport Law and reinforce oversight of taxi and passenger transport brokerage activities.
Revised fine structure for unlicensed operations
The Transport General Authority has proposed amendments to the schedule of violations and penalties linked to the executive regulations governing taxi and passenger transport brokerage activities.At the centre of the proposal is a revision of the fine imposed on individuals operating a private vehicle without a licence. The authority has set the proposed penalty at SR2,600 for violations related to:
- Public transportation activity
- Airport fare operations
The move specifically targets individuals preparing to transport passengers or actively transporting passengers in private vehicles without obtaining the required licence.
Stronger deterrence under land transport law
The amendments are designed to activate the deterrent penalties already stipulated in the executive regulations. These fall under the jurisdiction of the Committee for Reviewing Grievances and Violations of the Land Transport Law.The draft amendment makes clear that the committee will be responsible for imposing penalties in the following cases:
- Fines exceeding SR10,000
- Violations related to public taxi operations, including individuals preparing to transport passengers in private vehicles without a licence.
- Violations related to airport taxi operations, including individuals transporting passengers in private vehicles without licences, specifically for non-Saudi violators.
- Suspension of a licence, either partially or completely, for a period not exceeding one year.
- Suspension of the driver, the vehicle, or both, for a period not exceeding one year.
Deportation and public disclosure for repeat offenders
The draft also reiterates additional enforcement mechanisms aimed at ensuring compliance.For non-Saudi drivers who violate the provisions of the Land Transport Law and its executive regulations governing taxi and passenger transport brokerage activities, the penalties include:In cases where the violation is repeated for the first time, the penalty may also be:
- Publicized in local media at the expense of the offender
The draft law formally grants the authority the power to impose these penalties through the committee, reinforcing regulatory control over unlicensed transport activity.If adopted, the amendments would introduce clearer enforcement thresholds, strengthen financial penalties, and expand consequences for illegal passenger transport, particularly in public taxi and airport operations.
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