Saturday, October 25, 2025
New Saudi Taxi Laws: TGA Enforces Tougher Rules, Fines, and Deportations
A new set of regulations and fines has been set up by the Transport General Authority (TGA) for private drivers who hold licenses to operate in the public transportation and airport taxi industries.
President Rumaih Al-Rumaih of the TGA has signed new rules that increase reliability of service and safeguard passengers by imposing higher quality and safety requirements. Recommend: TGA crack downs on illegal taxis in Saudi Arabia
Key Penalties and Violations
The new system says that violating the rules can cost up to SR1,600, and that amount can be increased by up to five times for repeated crimes. Other penalties may include vehicle confiscation, license suspension for up to five months, and deportation for non-Saudi drivers who break the rules.
The rules classify violations as major or minor:
Major Violations
Major offenses are actions that:
➤ Disrupt market competition or service pricing.
➤ Lower service quality.
➤ Endanger public safety.
Examples include:
🚫 Driving without a valid professional driver card.
🚫 Using an expired or canceled driver card.
🚫 Refusing to provide service.
🚫 Charging fares is not approved by the TGA.
🚫 Ignoring cleanliness of self or vehicle.
🚫 Not wearing the official driver uniform. Most Viewed: Penalty for canceling final exit visa
Minor Violations
Minor offenses include:
🔘 Delays in renewing driver cards.
🔘 Not providing required data to TGA.
🔘 Failing to display official documents.
🔘 Not installing “No Smoking” signs.
🔘 Failing to return lost passenger items.
🔘 Not helping passengers with disabilities.
Types of Penalties
The penalties range from verbal warnings to vehicle confiscation and license suspension for one to five months.
✅ Financial fines: Between SR50 and SR1,600, which can be doubled up to five times for repeat offenses.
✅ Operational penalties: Vehicle suspension, vehicle impoundment for 20 to 60 days, and driver suspension for one to five months.
Violators will usually receive a seven-day grace period to correct their violations before fines are issued—except for major violations, which face immediate action.
If violations continue after a final ruling, daily fines may be charged, up to 10% of the maximum fine amount. Read: Four new e-services launched in Absher platform
Additional Measures
The new framework also allows for stronger actions, such as
■ Deportation of non-Saudi violators.
■ Publishing violation rulings in local newspapers.
■ Blocking non-compliant ride-hailing apps.
■ Closing down violating businesses.
■ Vehicle confiscation by court order.
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| New Saudi Taxi Laws TGA Enforces Tougher Rules, Fines, and Deportations |
