New transportation penalties: 2600 riyals for unlicensed drivers and deportation of violators
In a decisive move aimed at reorganizing the land transport sector in Saudi Arabia, the Public Transport Authority has unveiled new and stricter guidelines by releasing a draft amendment to the schedule of violations and penalties for the regulations governing taxi and taxi brokerage activities. These amendments, published on the government's "Istilaa" platform, are intended to curb the haphazard practices that have long plagued the sector, specifically the phenomenon of unlicensed taxi services.
A regulatory framework that aligns with Vision 2030
These amendments cannot be viewed in isolation from the comprehensive transformation underway in the Kingdom's transport and logistics sector, a cornerstone of Saudi Vision 2030. Since the launch of the National Transport Strategy, relevant authorities have been striving to enhance operational efficiency, improve the urban landscape, and ensure the highest standards of safety and security for users. These stricter penalties complement the Kingdom's efforts to localize the transport sector (Saudization), in which it has already made significant strides. The new regulations aim to protect licensed Saudi drivers from unfair competition posed by violators, whether expatriate workers or citizens operating without a license.
Details of the penalties: financial deterrence and deportation
The proposed draft law includes unprecedentedly severe penalties, introducing a fine of 2,600 Saudi Riyals that extends beyond the act of transporting passengers to encompass even the "preparatory work" for transporting passengers in private vehicles without a license. This expansion of the legal definition aims to close loopholes previously exploited by violators, making it easier for inspection teams to detect violations before the actual transport takes place.
Regarding expatriate workers, the amendments took a stricter approach, stipulating the penalty of deportation for any non-Saudi driver found to be in violation of the regulations. This measure sends a clear message that work in the transportation sector is restricted to those legally authorized, and that violations will not only be met with fines, but also with the termination of the violator's legal status in the Kingdom.
Defamation and protecting the Kingdom's tourism image
The amendments did not overlook the moral aspect of deterrence, as they stipulated the penalty of publicizing the names of repeat offenders by publishing a summary of the court ruling at the offender's expense. This reinforces the principle of transparency and achieves general deterrence. The amendments also paid particular attention to the airport taxi sector, given that airports are the first point of contact for visitors and tourists. Stricter penalties in this vital sector aim to eliminate the uncivilized behavior that unlicensed drivers may cause and to ensure a safe and reliable transportation experience befitting the Kingdom's status as a rising global tourist destination.
Expected economic and social impact
These amendments, if finalized, are expected to have a broad positive impact on both the economic and social levels. Economically, they will contribute to fostering fair competition among licensed taxi companies and ride-hailing apps, thus stimulating investment in the sector. Socially, they will enhance passenger safety, as licensed vehicles and drivers will be subject to rigorous inspection and tracking requirements, something currently lacking in unregulated transportation. Furthermore, they will help reduce traffic congestion caused by the accumulation of private vehicles operating illegally around vital facilities.
