Overview of the traffic system in Saudi Arabia
Traffic in Saudi Arabia is managed by the General Department of Traffic (Muroor), under the Ministry of Interior. Violations are classified into four categories by severity, each with a specific fine and black points added to the driver's record.
Rules are enforced two ways: traffic officers on the roads, and the automated Saher camera network covering all highways, intersections and urban roads across the Kingdom. Camera violations are detected automatically, linked to the vehicle registration, and SMS notifications are sent via Absher within minutes.
Saudi Arabia has no personal income tax, but traffic violations are taken very seriously. Unpaid fines can block iqama renewal, vehicle registration (istimara) renewal, and prevent you from travelling outside the Kingdom.
Key changes to traffic fines in 2026
Saudi Arabia significantly raised several fine categories in 2026 under the Vision 2030 road-safety program, which targets a 50% reduction in traffic accidents and deaths by 2030. These changes took effect from January 2026 and are strictly enforced by Muroor and Saher cameras.
❌ Before 2026
- Red light: SAR 500–900
- Amber light: SAR 500–900
- Phone while driving: SAR 300–600
- Overtaking on the shoulder: SAR 2,000
- Overtaking on the right: SAR 2,000
- Red-light points: 4 points
✅ New 2026 fines
- Red light: SAR 6,000 🔺
- Amber light: SAR 3,000–6,000 🔺
- Phone while driving: SAR 900 🔺
- Overtaking on the shoulder: SAR 6,000 🔺
- Overtaking on the right: SAR 6,000 🔺
- Red-light points: 8 points 🔺
Category 1 — Serious violations (SAR 900 to 6,000)
These are the most serious traffic violations in Saudi Arabia. Penalties include large fines, black points and often vehicle impound. In severe cases criminal charges may be filed alongside the traffic fine.
| Violation | Fine (SAR) | Black points | Extra action |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🔴 Running a red light | 6,000 | 8 | Impound 7–30 days |
| 🟡 Running an amber/yellow light | 3,000–6,000 | 8 | Vehicle impound |
| 📱 Using a phone while driving | 900 | 4 | — |
| 💨 Severe speeding (over 25 km/h) | 900–4,500 | 6 | Possible impound |
| 🍺 Driving under the influence | 900 | 8 | Impound + licence withdrawal |
| ↩️ Driving against traffic | 900 | 6 | — |
| 🏎️ Reckless driving | 900 | 6 | Possible impound |
| 📄 Driving without a valid licence | 900 | 4 | Vehicle impound |
| 🛣️ Overtaking on the shoulder | 6,000 | 8 | Impound 30 days |
| 〰️ Overtaking across a solid line | 6,000 | 8 | Possible impound |
| 🌀 Drifting (tafheet) | 1,000–5,000 | 6 | Vehicle confiscation |
The amber-light rule — Saudi Arabia's most misunderstood fine
This is where most drivers go wrong. Many treat the amber (yellow) light as "speed up to cross," whereas Saudi law requires you to slow down and stop before the stop line when the amber light shows — exactly like the red light.
Saher cameras record the light state and the position of your tyres relative to the stop line at the same moment. If your front tyre crosses the stop line after the light turned amber, the camera logs a violation of SAR 3,000–6,000 + 8 black points. The only safe rule: when the light turns yellow, brake.
Categories 2, 3 & 4 — Moderate and minor violations
| Violation | Category | Fine (SAR) | Black points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moderate speeding (10–25 km/h) | Cat 2 | 300–500 | 4 |
| Expired driving licence | Cat 2 | 300 | 2 |
| Not obeying traffic signals | Cat 2 | 300 | 2 |
| Carrying excess passengers | Cat 2 | 300 | 2 |
| Not stopping at a checkpoint | Cat 2 | 500 | 4 |
| No seatbelt — driver | Cat 3 | 150 | 1 |
| No seatbelt — per passenger | Cat 3 | 150 per passenger | 1 |
| No child safety seat | Cat 3 | 150 | 1 |
| Not carrying the licence | Cat 3 | 150 | 0 |
| Failing the periodic inspection | Cat 3 | 150–300 | 0 |
| Illegal parking | Cat 4 | 100–150 | 0 |
| No valid insurance | Cat 4 | 100–500 | 0 |
| Throwing objects from the vehicle | Cat 4 | 100–150 | 0 |
🔍 Not sure of your fine amount?
Use our free calculator — pick the violation and instantly see the exact fine, black points and early-payment discount.
Open the Traffic Fine Calculator ←The black-points system in Saudi Arabia 2026
Every traffic violation carries black points that accumulate on your driving record. The system is designed to escalate consequences for repeat offenders. A fact many people miss: points reset on 1 January each year, so accumulating 48 points in a single year has different consequences than accumulating them over several years.
| Total points accumulated | Consequence |
|---|---|
| 12 points | Mandatory road-safety training course (8 hours) |
| 24 points | Driving licence suspended for 30 days |
| 36 points | Licence suspended 3 months + training course |
| 48 points or more | Licence permanently cancelled — you must re-apply from scratch |
The automated Saher camera system
Saudi Arabia has one of the most comprehensive automated traffic-monitoring systems in the world. The Saher system currently covers more than 5,000 camera locations across the Kingdom, with Vision 2030 targets to raise this to over 10,000 by year-end. These cameras operate around the clock using radar, infrared and AI analysis.
What do Saher cameras detect?
- Speeding — via radar on highways and urban roads at the posted limits
- Running red and amber lights — multiple cameras at each intersection track the front-tyre position
- Phone use — AI-powered cameras at intersections detect a phone in hand
- Seatbelts — camera systems at certain points monitor seatbelt compliance
- Shoulder and wrong-lane driving — highway cameras detect lane violations
When a violation is detected, the system automatically links it to the vehicle registration, sends an SMS notification to the registered owner via Absher within minutes, and the fine appears in the Absher account for payment.
How to check traffic fines via Absher
The fastest and most reliable way to check violations is the official government Absher platform, available as a website and mobile app (iOS and Android) in Arabic and English.
- Go to absher.sa or open the Absher app on your phone
- Sign in with your National ID (citizens) or iqama number (residents) and password
- From the main dashboard, tap "My Services"
- Choose "Inquiries" from the services menu
- Select "Comprehensive traffic violations inquiry"
- All outstanding violations, fines and black points will appear. You can pay directly inside the app.
Other ways to check and pay
- najiz.sa — the official Ministry of Justice portal, also used for appeals
- SADAD via your banking app — Al Rajhi, SNB, Riyad Bank and others
- STC Pay / Urpay — digital wallet payment options
- ATMs — most Saudi bank ATMs support fine payment via SADAD
- Traffic department offices — in Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and all major cities
How to get a 25% discount on a fine
Saudi traffic regulations explicitly allow a 25% discount on the minimum fine for prompt payment. This is one of the most important things to know — yet many residents miss it by not acting quickly enough.
| Action | Time limit | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Full payment | Within 30 days of the SMS | 25% off the minimum fine |
| File an appeal | Within 30 days of the notice | Fine reviewed — may be reduced or cancelled |
| Request an extension | Within the first 30 days | Extended time to pay, without the discount — exact extension period is set case-by-case in Absher |
| Pay in instalments (Absher) | Fines under SAR 5,000 | 4 interest-free instalments |
| Take no action | After 30 days | No discount. Full fine amount is due. Interest may be added. |
Sara, from Riyadh: She gets a Saher notification for running a red light — a SAR 6,000 fine. She doesn't put it off. Within the same week, she logs into Absher, sees the violation, and pays immediately — well inside the 30-day window. Because she paid early, she gets the 25% discount, bringing her total down to SAR 4,500. She saves SAR 1,500 just by acting promptly.
Khalid, from Jeddah: He gets the same SAR 6,000 fine for the same violation, but he's busy and keeps putting it off — "I'll deal with it later." 35 days pass before he finally opens Absher to pay. Because he paid after the 30-day window closed, the discount is gone. He pays the full SAR 6,000 — SAR 1,500 more than Sara, for the exact same violation.
The only difference between the two outcomes is timing. The fine itself never changes — what changes is whether you act inside the 30-day window or not. Set a reminder the day you get the SMS; it's the simplest SAR 1,500 you'll ever save.
How to appeal a traffic fine
You have the right to appeal any traffic fine within 30 days of the notice date. Appeals are filed via the official Najiz portal or the traffic court. Common grounds for a successful appeal include:
- The violation was recorded against a different vehicle plate
- The camera image is unclear or incorrect
- The vehicle was stolen at the time of the violation
- The speed-limit sign was damaged or missing
- A medical emergency caused the violation
File your appeal on najiz.sa with supporting evidence (photos, police reports, medical certificates as applicable). Appeals are usually reviewed within 15 working days. If rejected, the original fine must be paid. If accepted, the fine is cancelled or reduced.
Traffic fines for foreign residents
Foreign residents in the Kingdom on a residency visa are subject to the same traffic laws and fine schedule as Saudi citizens. There is no separate fine system for residents. Key things to know:
- Fines are linked to the vehicle registration — most camera violations are recorded against the vehicle, not the driver personally. If you drive a company car, the company's records may be affected.
- Iqama renewal blocked — unpaid fines prevent iqama renewal. Settle them first via Absher.
- Exit permit blocked — in some cases large unpaid fines can prevent you from obtaining an exit permit. Pay before travelling.
- International licence holders — if you drive in Saudi Arabia on an international licence, fines still apply. You need a Saudi licence or an approved international licence for stays beyond 90 days.
- Check by iqama number — go to Absher → My Services → Inquiries → traffic violations inquiry and enter your iqama number.