Saudi Vehicle Procedures Guide
Step-by-step government procedures for car owners in Saudi Arabia: istimara renewal, ownership transfer, inspection, insurance, financing and more — with verified fees and official sources.
Ownership & paperwork
Renewing your car registration (istimara): steps and fees
Renew on Absher in minutes: SAR 100 per year, up to 3 years at once.
Transferring car ownership via Absher (Mubaya'a): steps and fees
Fully electronic sale with secure escrow: SAR 150 transfer fee, no traffic-office visit.
Traffic fines: checking, paying and objecting
Check and pay via Absher, object within the legal window, and mind the 30% tint limit.
Car plates: types, transferring them, and keeping yours when you sell
The plate belongs to the owner, not the car — keep it when selling, or let it go with the vehicle.
Inspection & insurance
Periodic vehicle inspection (MVPI): timing, fees and what they check
SAR 115 per inspection, new cars exempt for 3 years, re-test SAR 37.95.
Checking car recalls by VIN at recalls.sa
Enter your VIN at recalls.sa — any recall repair is free at the agent.
Had a traffic accident? How the Najm process works
Photograph, then report to Najm via the app or 920000560 — free for insured drivers.
Car insurance in Saudi Arabia: mandatory third-party, comprehensive, and when you need each
Third-party is mandatory for every car; comprehensive is required when financed, typically 2-5% of value per year.
Buying & financing
Importing a car into Saudi Arabia: the 5-year rule, duties and SABER
Max 5-year-old model, roughly 20.75% effective tax load, and SABER conformity.
Your new-car warranty rights: 2-year minimum, and outside servicing does not void it
A 2-year minimum warranty per Ministry of Commerce rules — outside servicing cannot void it.
Car-financing rules (SAMA): tenor, salary cap and early settlement
60-month cap, obligations capped at 33.33% of salary, early settlement capped at 3 months' profit.
Tanazul (financed-car takeover): bank approval first, then everything transfers
No takeover without the lender's approval — a tripartite process that moves installments and insurance together.
Guidance only — the official authority is the final reference.