Penalty for unlicensed taxi drivers: A fine of 12,000 riyals and deportation of the expatriate from Saudi Arabia
The Public Transport Authority in Saudi Arabia announced the arrest of a foreign national for operating a passenger transport service without the required licenses, a practice known locally as "Kaddada." The Authority imposed strict penalties on the violator, including a fine of 12,000 riyals and permanent deportation from the Kingdom.
This decisive step comes in implementation of the Land Transport System, issued by Royal Decree No. M/188 dated 24/08/1446 AH, and its executive regulations, which categorically prohibit any passenger transport activity without a license. The prohibition includes all forms of soliciting passengers, whether by calling out to them, pursuing them, obstructing their path, or gathering at their locations for the purpose of transporting them for a fee through unregulated means.
A strict regulatory framework to combat randomness
These penalties fall within a comprehensive legal framework aimed at eliminating the phenomenon of unregulated transportation that has plagued the transportation sector for years. The regulations clearly stipulate that penalties are not limited to fines but also include impounding the vehicle used in the violation. Furthermore, if the violator is a non-Saudi, deportation is mandatory upon conviction, to ensure that such violations are not repeated and to uphold the sovereignty of local regulations.
Economic and security dimensions of regulating the transport sector
The crackdown on unlicensed taxi drivers is not merely a routine procedure, but rather part of a broader national strategy aimed at regulating the transport and logistics sector. The importance of these campaigns lies in several key points:
- Enhancing public safety: Unlicensed transportation lacks the security and tracking features found in regulated transportation and licensed routing applications, exposing passengers to unreliable security and traffic safety risks.
- Protecting investments: Irregular transport causes significant harm to licensed establishments and investors in the transport sector, as it creates unfair competition that affects the quality of services and the sustainability of companies that comply with regulations.
- Improving the urban landscape: The phenomenon of unlicensed taxis contributes to traffic chaos and distorts the general appearance in front of airports and transport stations, which contradicts the quality of life objectives.
Continued monitoring campaigns and corrective measures
The Public Transport Authority affirmed its commitment to continuing its field inspection campaigns across all regions and governorates of the Kingdom, in ongoing cooperation and coordination with relevant security agencies. These campaigns aim to monitor and address any practices that violate regulations, and to apply the prescribed penalties against violators without any leniency.
In closing, the Authority reiterated its call to all those working in the transportation sector to take the initiative to rectify their status and obtain the necessary licenses through the available official channels. It noted that compliance with regulations contributes to increasing the sector's efficiency, improving the user experience, and enhancing the reliability of the transportation system, in line with the objectives of the National Transport and Logistics Strategy and the Kingdom's Vision 2030.
