المملكة: New requirements for licenses and permits for the road sector… and 7 violations that cause suspension and cancellation – urgent

The General Authority for Roads has presented a list of licenses and permits for the sector via a survey platform with the aim of establishing a clear legal and regulatory framework governing the procedures for issuing licenses and permits and conducting business Roads, in addition to ensuring the satisfaction of road users by monitoring the quality of work and services provided.

The Authority confirms that the new regulations represent an integrated regulatory reference that aims to ensure transparency and clarity in licensing procedures, in addition to unifying the executive applications of the concerned authorities, which enhances the improvement of services and reduces discrepancies in the procedures for dealing with road-related activities.

The regulations set a set of general provisions that form the regulatory basis for licensing processes, as it stipulates that the Authority is the authority Specialized in issuing all Licenses and permits related to roadsroads, taking into account the powers of other relevant parties.

Under the regulations, no person – whether natural or legal – may practice any activity or conduct work on roads except after obtaining an official license or permit from the Authority, including transport operations, weights, and support services, in addition to any other activity that the Authority deems necessary to practice under a license.

The regulations stressed that obtaining a license from the Authority does not exempt the licensee. It fulfills the requirements of other government agencies, and does not nullify compliance with the relevant regulations.

The regulations oblige all licensees to adhere to the laws and regulations in force in the Kingdom, while confirming that the licensor or authorized person is not entitled to recover the financial compensation in the event of a request to cancel the license or permit after its issuance.

The provisions of the regulations apply to all natural and legal persons wishing to practice Roadsor those associated with them.

The regulations clearly defined the roles and tasks undertaken by the Authority in regulating the sector, as its responsibility includes studying requests for issuing, renewing and canceling licenses and permits, and issuing the necessary approvals, in addition to all procedures associated with them such as extending the period or canceling the license when needed.

The regulations included an emphasis on the Authority’s role in monitoring licensees, issuing non-compliance procedures when violations occur, and proposing appropriate solutions to address them, to As well as responding to inquiries and objections related to licenses.

The regulations grant the Authority the power to reject, suspend or cancel any existing license or permit, whether because the licensee does not comply with the controls or in accordance with the Authority’s strategic plans.

The Authority classifies licenses according to the nature of road works, and prepares detailed regulatory rules for each type to ensure the development and advancement of services.

All licenses are subject to specific conditions in accordance with the licensing rules set by the Authority, and the financial compensation is determined according to the nature of the activity.

The regulations clarified the mechanism for submitting a license application via the electronic platform, including 5 steps, which are attaching the required regulatory documents, provided that they are valid, and granting the authority the right to request additional information or documents to complete the requirements.

The steps also include notifying the applicant of the decision immediately upon completion of the review, whether by approval or rejection with an explanation of the reasons., and issuing the license after paying the financial fee, and the possibility of granting initial approval to complete the requirements.

The license is issued including its type, the licensee’s information, and the date. The beginning and end, and any additional information that the Authority deems necessary.

The regulations set a detailed mechanism for renewing licenses, which begins with submitting the application within the specified period for each type, then studying the application based on the licensee’s ability to continue providing services efficiently, and updating documents, while ensuring that his records are free of violations before renewal.

The applicant is notified of the result, and the renewal is completed only after paying the financial fee. The Authority also stressed the necessity of renewing before the end of the specified period to avoid fines or stopping activity.

In order to protect the quality of services and prevent activities from leaking to unlicensed parties, the regulations prohibit assigning the license or assigning activities to others – in whole or in part – without obtaining prior written approval from the Authority.

The regulations specify a wide range of violations that require the Authority’s intervention, including non-compliance with the regulations or the Authority’s instructions, violating the regulations in force in the Kingdom, submitting incorrect data or documents to obtain a license, practicing the activity in violation of what is specified in the license, continuing to conduct business after the license expires or is cancelled, or losing the legal personality of the licensed entity.

In the event of a violation, the Authority has the right to take measures that begin with a warning, then temporarily suspend the license, and finally cancel the license and replace it with an alternative licensee to provide the service. The Authority has the right to seek recourse against the previous licensee for all costs and compensation incurred. The Authority also has the right to impose payment of the financial dues resulting from the suspension or cancellation.

The regulations grant licensees the right to object to non-compliance procedures within 15 days from the date of notification, with the implementation of penalties suspended during the objection period, with the exception of cases of fraud or violations affecting health, safety and the environment.

A specialized committee, formed by a decision of the CEO, will consider objections within 30 days. The regulations also permit appeals against the committee’s decisions before the Administrative Court within 60 days.

The regulations allowed the CEO to exempt some requirements in specific cases, and also empowered him to issue the necessary decisions to implement and interpret the provisions of the regulations.

The regulations officially take effect from the date of their publication, with the cancellation of any provisions that conflict with them.

The new regulations are an important step in strengthening the regulation of the road sector, as they have established clear and precise mechanisms for requirements and procedures, and explicitly defined the responsibilities of licensees, which contributes to raising the quality of services and improving the level of road safety. The sector is motivated towards greater professionalism and commitment to the operational and regulatory standards that the General Roads Authority aspires to.