Complete guide to Saudi Arabia road rules — right of way, overtaking, lane discipline, roundabouts, pedestrians, and more. All verified from official sources.
Quick reference
Saudi road rules at a glance
The most important rules every driver must know
Rule
Saudi Arabia
Which side of the road?
Right side — steering wheel on left
Overtaking side
Left side only — undertaking (right) is illegal
Roundabout priority
Vehicles inside the roundabout have right of way
Right turn on red light
Permitted unless a sign specifically prohibits it
Seatbelt — all passengers?
Yes — all seats, all times
Children under 10
Back seat only + child safety seat required
Mobile phone while driving
Illegal — SAR 500–900 fine
Alcohol while driving
Zero tolerance — 24 black points + instant ban
Indicator use
Mandatory when changing lanes or turning
Minimum driving age
18 years for private car licence
Physical licence required?
Yes — digital copies not accepted since 2026
Horn usage
Only to warn of danger — unnecessary use is a violation
Detailed rules
Complete Saudi road rules guide
Click any section to expand the full rules
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Driving basics — side of road, lane discipline, overtaking
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Drive on the right side of the road. Saudi Arabia follows right-hand traffic. Vehicles are left-hand drive with the steering wheel on the left. Driving on the wrong side is a serious violation.
Overtake only from the left side. You must overtake by moving into the lane to your LEFT. Overtaking on the right side (undertaking) is a traffic violation. SAR 300–500 fine
On multi-lane highways, stay in the right lane. The right lane is for normal driving. Move to the left lane only to overtake, then return to the right. Staying in the left lane without overtaking is a violation.
Always signal before changing lanes. Use your indicator before every lane change. Check both mirrors and your blind spot before moving. Not using indicators when changing lanes carries a fine. SAR 150–300 fine
Maintain a safe following distance. Keep a safe gap between you and the vehicle ahead. At 120 km/h on a highway, this should be at least 60 metres. Tailgating is dangerous and a violation. SAR 150–300 fine
Do not overtake on curves, hills, or junctions. Overtaking where visibility is limited — on bends, uphill sections, or near junctions — is a serious violation and extremely dangerous.
Solid white centre line = no overtaking. A solid white or double white centre line means overtaking is prohibited. Only a broken/dashed line allows overtaking when safe.
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Right of way — junctions, roundabouts, pedestrians
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Roundabouts — vehicles inside have right of way. Vehicles already circulating inside a roundabout have priority. Vehicles entering must yield. This is one of the most tested questions in the Dallah computer test. TEST TOPIC
Uncontrolled junctions — vehicle on the right has priority. At intersections with no traffic signals or signs, the vehicle approaching from your right has priority. You must yield to traffic from the right.
Main road traffic has priority over side roads. Vehicles on the main road always have priority over vehicles joining from side streets, driveways, or car parks. Side road vehicles must stop and yield.
Yield to pedestrians at marked crossings. You must stop and give way to pedestrians at marked crossings. Failing to yield to a pedestrian crossing the road is a serious violation.
Emergency vehicles always have priority. When an emergency vehicle with sirens and flashing lights approaches, move to the right and stop if necessary. Failing to yield is a traffic violation. SAR 500–900 fine
When part of the road is blocked, the open lane has priority. If one direction is blocked, vehicles in the open lane proceed first. Wait for oncoming traffic to pass before entering the open lane.
Right turn on red — permitted unless signed. Turning right at a red light is permitted in Saudi Arabia unless a sign specifically prohibits it. You must yield to pedestrians and oncoming traffic before turning. TEST TOPIC
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Seatbelts, children, and passenger safety
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Seatbelts are mandatory for all passengers. Every passenger in every seat — front and back — must wear a seatbelt at all times while the vehicle is in motion. SAR 150–300 per unbuckled passenger
Children under 10 must sit in the back seat. Saudi law prohibits children under 10 from sitting in the front seat at any time. Since January 2026, this is enforced at highway checkpoints. SAR 300 fine per child
Children under 10 must use an approved child safety seat. An approved child restraint or safety seat is required for all children under 10. The seat must be properly installed in the back seat. SAR 300–500 fine
Passengers must not obstruct the driver's view. Placing objects, stickers, or decorations that block the driver's vision is a traffic violation.
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Mobile phones, distractions, and prohibited behaviour
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Handheld mobile phone use is prohibited while driving. You must not hold or use a mobile phone while driving. Only hands-free systems are permitted. Saher AI cameras detect phone use. SAR 500–900 fine
Zero alcohol tolerance. Saudi Arabia has complete zero tolerance for alcohol. Alcohol is prohibited in the Kingdom. Driving under any influence of alcohol results in 24 black points and an immediate driving ban. SAR 10,000 fine + 24 black points
Radar detectors are illegal. Having a radar detector or speed camera alert device in your vehicle — even if unused — is a violation. The device will be confiscated and a fine issued.
Horn misuse is prohibited. The horn should only be used to warn other road users of genuine danger. Using it to greet friends, express frustration, or unnecessarily is a traffic violation. SAR 100–150 fine
Do not throw objects from your vehicle. Throwing waste, cigarette butts, or any objects from a vehicle onto a public road endangers other road users and is a fineable offence.
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Emergencies, breakdowns, and accidents
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In a breakdown on a motorway — move to the hard shoulder. Move immediately to the hard shoulder, turn on hazard lights, and place warning triangles if available. Never stand between your vehicle and passing traffic.
Never reverse on a motorway. If you miss your exit, continue to the next exit and turn back. Reversing on a highway is a serious violation and extremely dangerous.
In a minor accident with no injuries — move vehicles and call 993. Move vehicles to the side of the road to avoid obstructing traffic, then call 993 (traffic police). Do not leave the scene without reporting.
In a tyre blowout — do not brake suddenly. Grip the steering wheel firmly, ease off the accelerator gradually, and steer straight. Allow the vehicle to slow naturally before carefully steering to the hard shoulder.
Use hazard lights when stationary on the road. If your vehicle is stopped on or near the road, hazard lights must be on to warn approaching traffic.
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School buses, school zones, and special areas
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Stop when a school bus has warning lights flashing. When a school bus is stopped with warning lights on, you must stop and wait. Overtaking a stopped school bus while picking up or dropping off children is a serious violation with heavy fines. TEST TOPIC
Reduce speed in school zones. Speed limits drop to 30–40 km/h during school hours. Flashing amber lights indicate an active school zone. Saher cameras strictly enforce these zones.
Residential area speed limit is 40 km/h. In housing compounds and quiet residential streets, the speed limit is 40 km/h to protect pedestrians, children, and cyclists.
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Documents, licence, and vehicle requirements
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Always carry your physical driving licence. Since a 2026 Interior Ministry circular, traffic police do not accept digital copies shown on a phone. You must carry the original physical licence. SAR 150 fine for no licence
Carry your vehicle registration (Istimara). The vehicle registration document must be carried in the vehicle at all times. Failure to produce it on request from a traffic officer is a violation.
Do not leave your vehicle unattended with the engine running. Leaving a vehicle running and unattended is a traffic violation in Saudi Arabia. Always turn off the engine and remove the keys before leaving.
Vehicle must pass periodic technical inspection (MVPI). All vehicles must pass the mandatory periodic technical inspection. Driving a vehicle that has not passed inspection is a violation. SAR 150–300 fine
Headlights mandatory at night, in tunnels, and poor visibility. Use headlights at night, in tunnels (dipped/low beam), during rain, and in fog or sandstorms. SAR 2,000 fine for driving without lights.
Test yourself
Road Rules Practice Quiz
20 questions — Road rules are 60% of the real Dallah computer test
Saudi Road Rules Quiz
Road rules make up 60% of the Dallah computer test
Q 1 of 20
Score: 0 / 0 answered
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
About Saudi Arabia road rules
In Saudi Arabia you drive on the right-hand side of the road. Vehicles are left-hand drive with the steering wheel on the left. This is the same as most countries including the USA, Europe, and the Middle East.
Vehicles already circulating inside the roundabout have right of way. Vehicles entering the roundabout must slow down and yield to circulating traffic. This is one of the most frequently tested questions in the Dallah computer test.
Yes — turning right at a red light is permitted in Saudi Arabia unless a sign specifically prohibits it. You must yield to pedestrians and oncoming traffic before turning.
Yes — every passenger in every seat must wear a seatbelt at all times. This applies to both front and rear passengers. The fine for not wearing a seatbelt is SAR 150–300 per unbuckled passenger.
You must overtake from the left side of the vehicle ahead. Since you drive on the right side of the road, this means moving into the lane to your left. Overtaking on the right (undertaking) is a traffic violation in Saudi Arabia.
Yes. Since a 2026 Interior Ministry circular, traffic police do not accept digital copies of driving licences shown on a phone screen. You must carry the original physical licence at all times. Driving without it carries a fine of SAR 150.