Vehicles with Gulf license plates will soon face strict time limits within Saudi Arabia. According to new regulations approved by the Saudi government, cars registered in any Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) country cannot stay in the Kingdom for more than 90 days within a 365-day period.The decision was issued by the Saudi Council of Ministers, which sets regulations to control how long GCC-registered vehicles can stay in the country. The 90-day limit applies regardless of consecutive stays or multiple stays. The countdown starts from the day the vehicle enters Saudi Arabia through any customs port.
Who does this rule apply to?
These regulations apply to vehicles registered in GCC countries and owned by Saudi citizens, expatriates or individuals authorized to drive within the Kingdom. However, cars rented from licensed rental agencies in GCC countries are not covered by this rule.Authorities said the move was aimed at regulating vehicle use and curbing violations related to cars staying in Saudi Arabia for long periods of time without being registered locally.
Extension requests are allowed but not guaranteed
The vehicle owner or authorized driver may request an extension before the 90-day period expires. Applications must be submitted to the Home Office, which will review each request where appropriate and outline the required procedures and documentation.Implementation will involve coordination among government agencies. Zakat, tax and customs authorities will provide necessary vehicle data to the Ministry of Interior. The vehicle owner or authorized driver must register vehicle details at the customs port upon entry as required by the authorities.
Penalties for overstaying
The regulations make it clear that exceeding the allowed stay time will trigger penalties under Article 68, Paragraph 5 of the Saudi Traffic Law, and overstaying constitutes a traffic violation.The director-general of the Zakat, Excise and Customs Authority is expected to issue the administrative decisions needed to launch the framework, in coordination with the Ministry of Interior.The new measures formalize what officials say is a structured approach to monitoring foreign-registered vehicles and preventing prolonged stays without proper compliance.
