Complete guide to motorway and highway driving in Saudi Arabia — lane discipline, overtaking, hard shoulder, merging, breakdowns, and key fines. All verified.
On Saudi highways you drive on the right side of the road — right lane is for normal driving
All verified from Saudi traffic law and official sources
On Saudi multi-lane highways, the right lane is for normal driving. Move to the left only to overtake, then return immediately. Staying in the left lane without overtaking disturbs other vehicles and is a violation.
You must always overtake from the LEFT side of the vehicle ahead. Overtaking from the right (undertaking) is a traffic violation. Signal, check mirrors and blind spot, then move left to overtake.
Maintain a safe gap between your vehicle and the one ahead. At 120 km/h, a minimum of 2 seconds (around 65 metres) is recommended. Tailgating is dangerous and a violation.
Accelerate on the slip road to match motorway traffic speed before merging. Do not stop at the end of the slip road unless absolutely necessary — this creates a dangerous hazard for vehicles behind you.
The hard shoulder is strictly reserved for genuine emergencies such as breakdowns. Driving on it to avoid traffic, stopping to rest, or making phone calls is illegal.
If you miss your exit, never reverse or make a U-turn on a motorway. Continue to the next exit and double back. Reversing on a highway is a serious violation and extremely dangerous.
Always use your indicator before changing lanes. Check both mirrors, then physically check your blind spot by looking over your shoulder. Then change lanes gradually and smoothly.
Use full beam when no oncoming vehicles are present to see further ahead. Dip to low beam when you see oncoming traffic or when following another vehicle closely to avoid blinding them.
Some Saudi highways have a posted minimum speed of 60 km/h. Driving too slowly on a motorway is dangerous and a traffic violation. If you cannot maintain the minimum speed, use alternative roads.
Overtaking where visibility is limited — on bends, uphill sections, or near junctions — is strictly prohibited. Only overtake when you can clearly see the road ahead is safe and clear.
Official fines from the General Department of Traffic
| Violation | Fine (SAR) |
|---|---|
| Driving on hard shoulder to avoid traffic | SAR 500–2,000 |
| Reversing on a motorway | SAR 500–900 |
| Overtaking on the right (undertaking) | SAR 300–500 |
| Not using indicators when changing lanes | SAR 150–300 |
| Tailgating — not keeping safe following distance | SAR 150–300 |
| Overtaking on curves or uphill sections | SAR 300–500 |
| Speeding up to 25 km/h over the limit | SAR 300–500 |
| Speeding more than 25 km/h over the limit | SAR 500–900 |
| Driving without headlights at night | SAR 2,000 |
| Stopping on hard shoulder without emergency | SAR 500–2,000 |
Correct actions tested in the Dallah computer test
DO: Move to the hard shoulder immediately. Turn on hazard lights. Place warning triangles behind the vehicle if available. Call for help. Stay behind the barrier or as far from traffic as possible.
DON'T: Stay in the lane. Stand between your vehicle and traffic. Walk along the carriageway.
DO: Continue to the next exit and double back safely.
DON'T: Reverse back to the exit. Make a U-turn. Stop on the hard shoulder. These are serious violations and extremely dangerous.
DO: Signal your intention first. Check both mirrors. Physically look over your shoulder to check the blind spot. Then change lanes gradually and smoothly.
DON'T: Change lanes without signalling. Move suddenly without checking blind spot.
DO: Accelerate on the slip road to match motorway traffic speed. Signal and merge when safe.
DON'T: Stop at the end of the slip road unless absolutely necessary. Merge too slowly — this is dangerous for vehicles behind you.
DO: Grip the steering wheel firmly. Ease off the accelerator gradually. Steer in a straight line. Allow the vehicle to slow naturally before carefully steering to the hard shoulder.
DON'T: Brake suddenly — this causes loss of control. Turn sharply.
DO: Reduce speed significantly. Use full beam when no oncoming traffic. Stay alert for camels — they are nearly invisible until headlights hit them. A camel can weigh 600–1,000 kg.
DON'T: Maintain highway speed in darkness on desert roads. Rely only on dipped headlights.
15 questions on Saudi highway rules — these appear in the Dallah computer test
Highway questions appear frequently in the Dallah computer test
About Saudi Arabia highway driving
Highway rules are tested in the Dallah computer test. Try the full practice test.
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