01The regulatory framework
The Land Transport on Roads Law was issued by Royal Decree (M/188) dated 24/8/1446 AH, and replaced the Public Transport on Roads Law issued in 1397 AH; it takes effect one hundred and eighty days after its publication, and establishments must regularise their position within one year, extendable by six months.
Its Article Four states that “no person may carry out any of the land transport activities on roads except after obtaining the licence”, and its Article Seven states that the Authority “issues the documents required for the service provider to practise”. Article Eight divides land transport activities into passenger transport and goods transport, and the Law defines the truck as a single vehicle that moves by mechanical power or pulls a trailer, and is designed to carry goods for commercial or non-commercial purposes.
02The operating card and who it covers
The Transport General Authority stressed to all establishments and individuals in transport activities the need to issue operating cards for the vehicles working in the land transport sector through the Naql electronic portal, and among the activities it named are:
- Goods transport, both general and private.
- Truck rental.
- Light transport.
- Car transport and vehicle towing, both general and private.
- Taxi, bus transport and car rental.
Transport on one’s own account is within the obligation: the Authority set the maximum permitted number at one truck for individuals and nine trucks for establishments, and this applies to trucks whose gross weight exceeds 3,500 kg, with an operating card to be issued for them through the Naql portal.
On 21 April 2024 the Authority began automated monitoring of trucks in general and private transport, to limit their operation without an operating card or with an expired card.
03The professional driver card
The Transport General Authority required a valid professional driver card for all heavy transport drivers in the goods transport activity starting from 8 December 2022, and the card is issued through the Naql portal.
In 2026 the Authority’s board decided to link the professional driver card to a professional competency test, whose requirement begins after the launch of the “Professional Qualification Programme for Heavy Transport Drivers”.
04Heavy goods transport establishments
The Authority’s board issued the Implementing Regulation for Heavy Goods Transport Activities in its decision dated 1/3/1447 AH, which distinguishes between heavy goods transport for commercial purposes for others, for commercial purposes for the benefit of the establishment, and for non-commercial purposes.
The deadline for heavy goods transport establishments to regularise their position, including changing the registration type from private transport to general transport, was extended until 27 August 2026.
The operating age of trucks whose weight exceeds 3,500 kg in the goods transport activity does not exceed 20 years from the year of manufacture. In April 2026 an exception was allowed to exceed it up to 22 years for six months, and the exception was then extended for another six months in October 2026.
05The operating card and heavy equipment
The operating card is a document for a transport vehicle in land transport activities. A heavy machine registered with the Heavy Equipment Regulatory Center has a separate service at the Center called the “equipment operating permit”, issued after passing the technical inspection at an inspection body accredited by the Center.
06Penalties in the Law
Article Twenty-Two of the Land Transport on Roads Law states penalties including: a warning, a fine of up to five million riyals, suspension of the licence for up to one year or its cancellation, suspension of the driver or the vehicle for up to one year, and impounding the vehicle for up to sixty days, with the penalty doubled if the violation is repeated within a year.
As of the date this guide was reviewed, the available official texts do not publish the violations classification table that sets the amount of an operating card violation specifically.
07Official source
- Authority
- Transport General Authority (TGA)
- Service
- Naql electronic portal
- Last reviewed
08Frequently asked questions
A document issued by the Transport General Authority authorising a transport vehicle to carry on the activity, issued through the Naql electronic portal.
Through the Naql electronic portal of the Transport General Authority.
Yes. Transport on one’s own account is within the obligation for trucks whose gross weight exceeds 3,500 kg, and the maximum number is nine trucks for establishments and one truck for individuals.
The operating card is a document for a transport vehicle. A heavy machine registered with the Heavy Equipment Regulatory Center has a separate service at the Center, the “equipment operating permit”, after passing the technical inspection.
A valid card that the Transport General Authority has required of all heavy transport drivers in the goods transport activity since 8 December 2022, issued through the Naql portal.
As of the date this guide was reviewed, the available official texts do not publish the amount for issuing it; the Law mentions the fee without an amount, and what applies is what the Naql portal displays at issuance.
Yes. Automated monitoring of trucks in general and private transport began on 21 April 2024 to limit their operation without an operating card or with an expired card.
