Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — The Transport General Authority (TGA) has approved a new set of regulations and enforcement measures governing individual service providers previously licensed to operate in the public taxi and airport taxi sectors.

The updated framework, approved by TGA President Rumaih Al-Rumaih, introduces stricter penalties and safety standards to ensure service quality and passenger protection.

Under the new rules, violations may result in fines of up to SR1,600 — which can be multiplied by up to five times — as well as vehicle confiscation, license suspension for up to five months, and deportation for non-Saudi violators.

The accompanying violations and penalties table classifies offenses as “major” or “minor.”

Major violations include any act that disrupts market entry or exit, affects service quality or pricing, or poses a threat to public safety.

Examples include operating without a valid professional driver card, using an expired or canceled card, refusing service, failing to charge fares according to approved rates, neglecting personal or vehicle cleanliness, or not wearing the official uniform.

Minor violations include delays in renewing driver cards, failing to provide required data to the authority, not displaying official documents, neglecting to install “No Smoking” signs, failing to return lost passenger items, or not assisting passengers with disabilities.

The new regulations set out a detailed table of violations, with penalties ranging from verbal warnings to vehicle confiscation and license suspension for one to five months.

Financial fines range between SR50 and SR1,600 and may be doubled — up to five times — for repeated offenses.

In addition to monetary fines, the measures include suspension of vehicle operations, vehicle impoundment for 20 to 60 days, and suspension of drivers for one to five months, depending on the nature and frequency of the violation.

Violators will generally receive a seven-day corrective grace period before fines are imposed, except in the case of major violations.

Daily fines may also be applied for continued violations after a final ruling, capped at 10% of the maximum penalty amount.

The new regulations also introduce enhanced sanctions, including deportation for non-Saudi offenders, publication of violation rulings in local newspapers, blocking of non-compliant ride-hailing apps, closure of offending establishments, and vehicle confiscation by court order.