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The General Directorate of Traffic detailed the requirements in a public statement. Truck drivers must remain in the rightmost lane on multi-lane roads except where regulations allow a change. All loads require secure covering and fastening to prevent any items from falling and creating dangers for other road users, according to the directorate.
Drivers have to follow approved time windows for entering or leaving cities to minimize congestion and risks. The rules forbid carrying passengers in trucks lacking proper seating and safety features for people. A triangular warning sign or light reflector must be positioned at a suitable distance behind any truck stopped on the road at night. The directorate listed these among the core conditions for safe heavy vehicle operation.
The sixth condition demands adherence to legal limits on vehicle size and cargo weight to protect infrastructure and maintain control. A Saudi Gazette report on the directive noted the directorate’s position that compliance forms a cornerstone of traffic safety. These mandates align with penalties already listed in the national traffic violation schedule for heavy vehicles that fail to observe lane discipline or timing rules.
The Ministerial Committee of Traffic Safety reported that fatalities fell from 8,632 in 2016 to 4,438 in 2025, representing a 60 percent decline. That report attributed the gains to regulatory reforms, technology deployment and infrastructure improvements across the kingdom. The new truck rules form part of sustained focus on commercial vehicle operations.
A similar set of guidelines appeared in a 2022 Transport General Authority handbook for truck drivers issued in Arabic, English and Urdu. The handbook addressed vehicle checks, weight specifications and safe driving practices for intercity freight. The latest directive from the traffic directorate reinforces those earlier standards with clear operational expectations.
Authorities have integrated these measures into broader logistics sector development under national plans that have increased freight movement. Violations involving improper lane use or load security carry fines and points that can lead to license actions if accumulated, according to established traffic penalty tables. The directorate called on all truck operators to internalize the conditions as fundamental to protecting every road user.
