1,508 violators caught transporting passengers without a license: penalties and details
The Public Transport Authority's inspection teams in Saudi Arabia continued their intensive field efforts to regulate the land transport sector. Their inspection tours, conducted between Saturday, December 20th and Friday, December 26th, resulted in the apprehension of 1,508 individuals violating transport regulations across various regions of the Kingdom. The necessary legal measures were taken against them, including vehicle impoundment and the imposition of deterrent fines, for operating passenger transport services without the required licenses, a practice known locally as "Kaddada.".
The authority explained in its detailed statement that the joint campaigns with the concerned authorities resulted in monitoring two main types of violations; 834 violators were caught practicing preparatory work or what is called “calling” to attract passengers using their private cars, in addition to 674 violators who were actually involved in transporting passengers on their private vehicles in irregular ways and without meeting the required safety and security conditions.
Regulatory context and ongoing efforts to develop the sector
These intensive campaigns come in the context of a radical transformation taking place in the transport sector in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in line with the objectives of the National Transport and Logistics Strategy stemming from the Kingdom’s Vision 2030. This strategy aims to eliminate randomness in the transport sector and transform it into an organized sector that relies on technology and licensed companies, thus ensuring increased operational efficiency and enhancing the civilized appearance of Saudi cities.
Through these measures, the Authority seeks to reduce the phenomenon of illegal transportation that has been prevalent for many years, as unlicensed transportation poses a major challenge to the growth of legitimate transportation companies and vehicle routing applications that adhere to government standards and requirements.
Deterrent penalties and details of the new system
The new land transport regulations emphasize the prohibition of any transport activity without a proper license, imposing strict penalties to ensure compliance. The regulations stipulate that repeated violations will result in fines of up to 11,000 riyals and vehicle impoundment for 25 days for those engaging in unauthorized street vending.
For those actively engaged in unlicensed transportation, penalties can reach a fine of 20,000 riyals and vehicle impoundment for up to 60 days. The regulations don't stop there; they also allow for the sale of the offending vehicle at public auction, in addition to the deportation of non-Saudi residents who repeat the offense, reflecting the seriousness of the authorities in eradicating this phenomenon.
The economic and social impact of controlling violations
Regulating these violations is of paramount importance, extending far beyond simply imposing fines. It directly benefits passenger safety, as unlicensed vehicles often lack the safety and tracking features found in regulated transportation. Furthermore, this regulation fosters fair competition in the market, encouraging investors in the transportation sector and licensed taxi drivers to continue providing high-quality services, and protecting their rights from unfair competition that harms transportation quality and passenger safety.
