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Car Hire in Saudi Arabia: What to Know Before You Drive

Once you have collected your car, use this guide for Saudi speed limits, Saher enforcement cameras, driving-licence requirements, desert journeys, severe weather, accidents and the road rules that matter on a trip through Saudi Arabia.

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Before you leave the rental car park

Saudi Arabia has a vast road network linking major cities, coastal areas, mountains and long stretches of desert. Take a few minutes to check the vehicle and your rental terms before beginning the journey.

  • Confirm the fuel type: check whether the vehicle uses petrol, diesel, electricity or another fuel.
  • Find the controls: locate the lights, indicators, wipers, hazard lights, demister, horn and parking brake.
  • Check existing damage: make sure visible damage is recorded and consider taking your own photographs.
  • Check the tyres: inspect them for obvious damage and confirm that the spare wheel or repair equipment is present.
  • Check your documents: make sure you have the driving documents required by the rental company.
  • Check the mileage allowance: long Saudi road trips can cover very large distances and some rental offers have mileage limits.
  • Save roadside-assistance details: keep the rental provider's assistance number accessible.

Drive on the right

Traffic drives on the right in Saudi Arabia and vehicles normally overtake on the left.

  • Keep right: return to the right after overtaking when it is safe to do so.
  • Visitors used to left-hand traffic: take extra care when turning and when leaving service stations or car parks.
  • Highways: use the left lane primarily for overtaking.
  • Junctions: follow traffic signals, signs and lane arrows carefully.
  • Urban roads: allow space for vehicles changing lane and joining from service roads.

Speed limits in Saudi Arabia

Saudi speed limits are road-specific, so the sign displayed on the individual road is the limit that matters.

  • Major highways: many have signed limits up to 120 km/h.
  • Selected high-standard routes: a 140 km/h limit can apply.
  • Urban and local roads: lower limits apply according to the road.
  • Temporary limits: roadworks or changing conditions can introduce lower signed limits.

A 140 km/h sign on one route does not create a general national motorway limit. Always follow the posted speed.

Speed and traffic offences are heavily automated

Saudi Arabia uses automated traffic enforcement, commonly known as the Saher system.

  • Fixed and mobile systems can enforce speed limits.
  • Automated systems can also detect other traffic offences.
  • Do not rely on a navigation application's displayed speed limit if it differs from the road sign.
  • Traffic violations involving visitors or rental vehicles can be passed through government and rental-company systems.
  • Ask the rental company how fines and administration charges are handled.

Leave plenty of following distance

Long straight roads can make speeds feel lower than they actually are, while sudden lane changes or braking can occur in busy traffic.

  • Maintain a safe gap from the vehicle ahead.
  • Increase the gap in rain, dust or poor visibility.
  • Avoid remaining beside another vehicle unnecessarily.
  • Check mirrors before changing lane.
  • Do not use the maximum speed limit as a target.

Domestic motorway tolls are not normally part of a Saudi road trip

Saudi Arabia does not currently operate the type of nationwide domestic motorway toll network found in many European countries. For most journeys between Saudi cities, there is no motorway toll booth to pay.

  • Normal intercity highways do not generally require a toll pass.
  • You do not normally need to arrange an electronic motorway toll tag for an ordinary domestic rental.
  • Border crossings and individual facilities can have their own charges.
  • The King Fahd Causeway to Bahrain is a separate tolled international crossing.

Driving to Bahrain via the King Fahd Causeway

The King Fahd Causeway links Saudi Arabia with Bahrain and operates as an international border crossing with tolls and immigration procedures.

  • Check that the rental company permits the vehicle to leave Saudi Arabia.
  • Confirm whether additional insurance or cross-border documentation is required.
  • Causeway toll charges can change, so check the current King Fahd Causeway Authority information before travelling.
  • The Jesr service provides digital services for causeway travellers.
  • Allow additional time for border and customs formalities.

Driving in Riyadh and other large cities

  • Traffic can be heavy during commuter periods.
  • Large junctions and multi-lane roads can require early lane positioning.
  • Watch for vehicles joining from parallel service roads.
  • Leave additional time when returning a car to a major airport.
  • Set your navigation before joining fast-moving traffic.

Parking

  • Follow local signs, markings and parking restrictions.
  • Paid parking systems are increasingly used in busy urban areas.
  • Do not block entrances, traffic lanes or emergency access.
  • Shopping centres and hotels often provide managed parking.
  • Check whether a hotel charges separately for parking.

Take desert journeys seriously

Saudi Arabia is enormous, and intercity journeys can involve long stretches of open desert.

  • Keep to established paved roads unless your rental agreement specifically permits off-road use.
  • Avoid taking an ordinary rental car onto sand or rough desert tracks.
  • Start longer journeys with plenty of fuel.
  • Carry drinking water, particularly in hot weather.
  • Keep your phone charged and consider downloading offline maps.
  • Tell someone your route when travelling through remote areas.
  • Daylight travel is preferable on unfamiliar remote routes.

Extreme heat affects both people and vehicles

Summer temperatures can be extremely high, particularly away from the coast and mountain regions.

  • Carry more drinking water than you expect to need.
  • Do not leave children or vulnerable passengers in a parked car.
  • Check tyre condition before a long high-speed journey.
  • Do not allow the fuel level to become very low on a remote route.
  • If the vehicle develops a warning light or overheating problem, contact the rental provider rather than continuing a long journey.

Dust and sand can reduce visibility very quickly

  • Reduce speed when visibility begins to deteriorate.
  • Increase the distance from the vehicle ahead.
  • Use appropriate lights.
  • Avoid abrupt lane changes or hard braking.
  • If conditions become too severe to continue, stop only in a safe place well away from moving traffic.

Heavy rain can cause sudden flooding

Although much of Saudi Arabia is dry, intense rain can cause flash flooding and temporary road closures.

  • Do not drive into flood water where the depth or current is uncertain.
  • Follow Civil Defense and local-authority warnings.
  • Be particularly careful around wadis and low-lying roads.
  • Increase following distance on wet roads.
  • Be prepared to change your route during severe weather.

Mountain roads

Areas around Taif, Al-Baha and Asir include steep and winding mountain roads.

  • Reduce speed before bends.
  • Use an appropriate gear on long descents.
  • Allow extra room around slower heavy vehicles.
  • Fog and cloud can reduce visibility at higher elevations.
  • Check weather conditions before longer mountain journeys.

Fuel planning

  • Confirm the correct fuel before leaving the rental branch.
  • Major highways normally have fuel and rest facilities.
  • Stations can be farther apart on remote routes.
  • Refuel early rather than waiting until the tank is nearly empty.
  • Keep the final fuel receipt if your rental terms require one.

Seat belts and child restraints are required

Saudi traffic rules require drivers and passengers to use seat belts, and child safety seats must be used where required.

  • Make sure all occupants use the fitted seat belts.
  • Arrange a child seat with the rental provider before collection.
  • Check that the restraint is correctly fitted before departure.
  • Do not carry more passengers than the vehicle is designed for.

Do not use a handheld phone while driving

  • Holding a mobile phone while driving is a traffic offence.
  • Set navigation before moving.
  • Mount the device securely if it is being used for directions.
  • Stop somewhere legal and safe if you need to make substantial route changes.
  • Automated enforcement can be used for traffic offences.

Alcohol and driving

Alcohol is prohibited in Saudi Arabia. Visitors should not bring alcohol into the country or drive after consuming alcohol.

  • Do not treat Saudi Arabia as having a permissible visitor drink-driving allowance.
  • Alcohol-related offences can carry serious penalties.
  • The practical rule for anyone driving is zero alcohol.

Foreign driving licences

Saudi traffic law provides for the use of recognised foreign and international driving licences for visitors.

  • A recognised foreign or international licence can be valid for up to one year from entry into Saudi Arabia.
  • If the licence expires sooner, its expiry date becomes the effective limit.
  • The licence must cover the category of vehicle being driven.
  • Rental companies can impose additional documentation conditions.
  • Carry the original licence rather than relying on a photograph or digital copy unless the provider confirms otherwise.

Irish driving licence holders should confirm the documents before travel

There is an important documentation issue for Irish visitors that is worth checking before booking the car.

  • Carry your current full Irish driving licence.
  • Saudi law permits recognised foreign or international driving licences, but the rental company can set additional requirements.
  • Ireland currently issues 1949 and 1926 International Driving Permits through NDLS.
  • NDLS advises travellers to confirm whether their IDP is recognised by the destination country.
  • Before travelling, ask the Saudi rental provider exactly what it requires from an Irish licence holder.
  • If there is any doubt, confirm the position with the Saudi Embassy in Dublin before departure.

Traffic fines can follow the driver

Saudi traffic violations are recorded electronically and rental companies can receive notices relating to their vehicles.

  • Observe speed limits even on long, lightly trafficked roads.
  • Do not run red lights or use a handheld phone.
  • Make sure everyone is wearing a seat belt.
  • Rental providers may apply an administration charge when dealing with a traffic violation.
  • Deal with any traffic notice promptly rather than waiting until departure.

If you are involved in an accident

Saudi traffic law requires a driver involved in an accident to stop and notify the appropriate authority.

  • Stop safely and switch on the hazard warning lights.
  • Check whether anyone needs medical help.
  • Call emergency services for a serious accident.
  • Contact the rental provider promptly.
  • Follow the provider's instructions regarding police or Najm accident reporting.
  • Record relevant driver, vehicle and insurance information.
  • Photograph the scene only where it is safe to do so.

Emergency numbers in Saudi Arabia

  • Unified emergency service: 911
  • Emergency without a Saudi SIM: 112
  • Ambulance / Saudi Red Crescent: 997
  • Civil Defense: 998
  • Police: 999
  • Road Security: 996

For an ordinary rental-car mechanical breakdown, use the roadside-assistance service specified in the rental agreement.

Saudi trips where a hire car can be particularly useful

Riyadh and central Saudi Arabia

A car offers flexibility for destinations beyond the central city and for longer journeys through the Najd region.

AlUla

A rental car can provide flexibility between accommodation, viewpoints and attractions spread across the wider AlUla area, subject to local access arrangements.

Jeddah and the Red Sea coast

Driving is useful for journeys along the coast and destinations outside the main urban area.

Asir and Abha

A car makes it easier to explore mountain scenery and towns, although steep roads, fog and changing weather need extra care.

Eastern Province

Dammam, Al Khobar, Dhahran and surrounding destinations are connected by an extensive road network, with the King Fahd Causeway providing the road connection to Bahrain.

Check the rental terms before crossing an international border

Saudi Arabia has land borders with several neighbouring countries, but a rental car should never be taken across a border without confirming the provider's conditions.

  • Confirm that the destination country is permitted.
  • Check whether written authorisation is required.
  • Confirm that insurance remains valid outside Saudi Arabia.
  • Additional border insurance may be required.
  • Check visa and entry requirements separately from the car-rental rules.

Before returning the hire car

  • Confirm the exact branch or airport return location.
  • Refuel or recharge according to the rental agreement.
  • Keep the final fuel receipt if required.
  • Allow additional time for traffic in Riyadh, Jeddah and other major cities.
  • Check whether there are any outstanding traffic or rental charges.
  • Remove personal belongings and check the glovebox, door pockets and luggage area.
  • Consider photographing the vehicle, mileage and fuel or battery level at return.
  • Keep the rental paperwork until the deposit or card pre-authorisation has been released.

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Frequently asked questions about driving a hire car in Saudi Arabia

Which side of the road do you drive on in Saudi Arabia?

Traffic drives on the right and vehicles normally overtake on the left.

What are the speed limits in Saudi Arabia?

Limits are set for individual roads. Major highways commonly use limits up to 120 km/h and selected high-standard routes can be signed at 140 km/h. Urban and local roads have lower limits. Always follow the posted sign.

Does Saudi Arabia have motorway tolls?

Ordinary domestic motorway journeys do not normally involve a nationwide toll-road system. The King Fahd Causeway between Saudi Arabia and Bahrain is a separate tolled international crossing.

Can I drive in Saudi Arabia with a foreign licence?

Saudi traffic law allows recognised foreign or international driving licences to be used for up to one year from entry into the Kingdom or until the licence expires, whichever is earlier. Rental providers can impose additional requirements.

Can I hire a car with an Irish driving licence?

Carry your full valid Irish licence but confirm the rental company's documentation requirements before travel. NDLS advises Irish motorists to confirm whether an International Driving Permit is recognised by the destination country, so check with the rental provider or Saudi Embassy if an IDP is requested.

What emergency number should I use in Saudi Arabia?

Call 911 for emergency assistance. If you do not have a Saudi SIM card, 112 can also be used. Saudi Red Crescent ambulance service is available on 997.

Official and reliable driving information for Saudi Arabia

Traffic rules, rental documentation, border arrangements and travel conditions can change. The links below were opened and checked when this page was reviewed.

Last reviewed: 28 September 2026.