No. Leaving a vehicle running unattended is prohibited under Saudi traffic regulations to mitigate theft and safety risks. The National Center for Traffic Safety (NCTS), under the Saudi Traffic Law (Royal Decree M/178, 2018), enforces penalties including fines and vehicle impoundment.
Key Regulations for Leaving Your Car Running Unattended in Saudi Arabia
- Article 42 of the Traffic Law explicitly bans leaving a vehicle unattended while the engine is running, applicable nationwide.
- NCTS Circular 2024-03 mandates stricter enforcement in Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam, with automated cameras monitoring violations.
- Article 53 allows traffic police to impound vehicles for 24 hours if the offense involves high-risk areas or repeat violations.
Violations incur a SAR 300–500 fine (Art. 65), escalating to SAR 1,000 for repeat offenses. Exceptions exist for law enforcement, emergency services, or vehicles with remote start systems if the driver remains within 5 meters. The NCTS’s 2026 digital enforcement rollout will integrate AI to track such infractions in real time.