Outside Riyadh and Jeddah, public transport thins out fast. To explore AlUla at your own pace, drive the mountain roads of Abha and Asir or reach the Edge of the World, you will want your own wheels. Fuel is cheap, motorways are wide and signs are in Arabic and English.
Licence rules for visitors
- Visitors may drive on a valid foreign or international licence for up to one year from their date of entry, or until the licence expires, whichever comes first. This rule comes from the Saudi traffic law.
- Carry an International Driving Permit (IDP) alongside your home licence. Not every rental desk insists on it for UK, EU or US licences, but police and insurers may expect one, and it is essential if your licence is not in English or Arabic.
- An IDP issued in another GCC country is not accepted for this purpose.
- Rental companies usually require drivers to be at least 21, sometimes 23 or 25 for larger cars, and charge a young-driver fee.
- You will need your passport with visa, your licence and a credit card in the main driver's name for the deposit.
Women have been able to drive in Saudi Arabia since 2018, and women visitors rent and drive cars without any extra paperwork.
Booking
International brands and Saudi firms such as Yelo, Lumi and Theeb have desks at all major airports. Compare prices, deposits and mileage limits on DiscoverCars. Check whether unlimited kilometres are included: distances are long, and a Riyadh to AlUla round trip is well over 2,000 km. A standard saloon is fine for paved roads; you only need a 4x4 if you plan to go off-road with a guide.
Rules of the road
- Traffic drives on the right.
- Speed limits: usually 120 km/h on motorways, 140 km/h on a few marked highways such as Riyadh to Qassim, around 80 km/h on rural roads and 50 to 80 km/h in cities. Follow the signs.
- Saher cameras record speeding, red lights, phone use and seat belts automatically, all over the country. Fines start at a few hundred riyals and rise steeply.
- Seat belts are compulsory and using a handheld phone while driving is banned.
- Running a red light brings one of the heaviest fines, and serious offences can lead to the car being impounded.
Driving tips
- City traffic in Riyadh and Jeddah can be fast and assertive, with sudden lane changes. Keep your distance and use your mirrors.
- Camels wander onto rural roads, especially at night. Many fences line the highways, but not all, so slow down after dark.
- In a sandstorm, slow right down, turn on your headlights (not hazards while moving) and pull off safely if visibility drops.
- Fill up when you can on long desert stretches; stations can be far apart. Fuel costs around SAR 2.2 to 2.4 a litre; attendants fill the car for you.
- Download offline maps for remote areas where coverage drops.
- Asir's mountain roads are steep and winding, with fog on summer afternoons.
Accidents and insurance
For a minor accident with no injuries, report it through Najm, the insurers' accident service, as your rental company instructs, and photograph everything. For injuries call 997 for an ambulance or 911; traffic police are on 993. Do not leave the scene without a report, or your insurance may not pay. Read what the rental insurance covers and how high the excess is, and consider excess cover from your travel insurance.
Not keen on driving? Read getting around for trains, flights and ride-hailing.
Frequently asked questions
Can tourists drive in Saudi Arabia?
Yes. Visitors can drive on a valid foreign or international licence for up to one year from entry, or until it expires. Carry an International Driving Permit too.
What is the speed limit on Saudi motorways?
Usually 120 km/h, and 140 km/h on a few marked highways. Saher cameras enforce limits strictly across the country.
How do I check traffic fines as a visitor?
Use the visitors' traffic violations service on Absher with your passport or border number. Rental companies also pass fines on, often with a fee.
Can women hire and drive a car in Saudi Arabia?
Yes. Women have been allowed to drive since 2018, and women visitors rent cars on the same terms as men.
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