المملكة: Urgent – 1,600 riyals fine for using unauthorized drivers using vehicle guidance applications

The General Transport Authority has proposed comprehensive regulatory amendments to the executive regulations for the mediation activity in transporting passengers via electronic applications, to enhance governance and require a permit for driving, with the aim of lifting Quality of services and ensuring the security and safety of passengers in all regions of the Kingdom.

The amendments included updating the definition of the Authority’s electronic platform to be the approved reference for accessing data about establishments, cars, and drivers, along with granting the necessary permits to operate in private cars with service providers.

Legal form.

The Authority restricted the work of drivers in the activity to the necessity of obtaining a prior permit, and required that the driver be of Saudi nationality and hold a valid driving license with a clean record of criminal records.

The amendments stressed that these conditions are inherent in the validity of the permit, as the permit is considered automatically and immediately void in the event of a violation of any of the three basic requirements to ensure continuity of competence.

The Authority obligated applicants The service is limited to contracting with authorized drivers only, provided that establishments are committed to ensuring that the duration of the contract does not exceed the validity period of the activity license to ensure continuous regulatory compliance. Operating companies must stop working with any contracted driver immediately if his permit is canceled by the authority, with the need to fully comply with the officially approved service provision policy. Suspension of the license for periods ranging from 3 to 9 months.

The Authority raised the ceiling of deterrence in the violation of not stopping work with a driver whose permit was revoked, bringing the fine to 1,600 riyals the first time, with the application of corrective measures that include warning or suspension.

These fundamental amendments aim to control the “vehicle guidance” sector and protect the rights of beneficiaries by tightening digital control through the Authority’s platforms, which contributes to creating a safe and reliable transportation environment for all passengers.