Before Violations Accumulate: Understand the Traffic Point System in Saudi Arabia Clearly

The traffic violation point system in Saudi Arabia is considered one of the systems that every driver must know because it does not link the violation to its financial value only, but also looks at the extent of its danger to traffic safety. Some violations record points against the driver, and if they accumulate during a specific period, they may affect the driver’s license.
Understanding this system is an important step to avoid repeated violations and to drive with greater awareness within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Through the Carly website and application, a person searching for a car in Saudi Arabia can benefit from instructional content that helps them understand matters related to cars and driving, alongside browsing available cars and knowing all information related to them.
What is the Traffic Violation Point System in Saudi Arabia?
The traffic violation point system in Saudi Arabia is a mechanism based on recording a specific number of points against the driver when committing certain violations. The number of points varies according to the type of violation and its level of danger on the road; simple violations are not treated like violations that may cause serious accidents or threaten the safety of others.
This system aims to monitor the traffic behavior of drivers and reduce dangerous practices such as running a red light, driving against the flow of traffic, drifting, or driving under the influence of intoxicants or drugs.
When is the Driving License Suspended Due to Violation Points?
The license is not suspended just by recording one violation in most cases, but the danger begins when points accumulate and reach the statutory limit. According to what the Ministry of Interior clarifies, if the driver reaches 24 points during a Hijri year, the penalty of license suspension is applied according to the number of times this limit is repeatedly reached.
| Case of Reaching 24 Points | Penalty |
| First Time | Suspension of the driving license for 3 months |
| Second Time | Suspension of the driving license for 6 months |
| Third Time | Suspension of the driving license for one Hijri year |
| Fourth Time | Permanent suspension of the driving license |
This clarifies that the problem is not linked to a single violation only, but to the repetition of dangerous behaviors during a specific period of time; therefore, it is important to monitor violations, especially for those who drive daily or travel a lot.

Table of Traffic Violation Points in Saudi Arabia
Points vary according to the type of violation and its danger. Some violations reach 24 points directly, and some record 12, 8, 6, 4, or two points. Below is a simplified table of the most important violations mentioned in the traffic points schedule:
| Traffic Violation | Number of Points |
| Driving the vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant or drug | 24 Points |
| Drifting (Tafheet) | 24 Points |
| Violation of crossing the traffic signal during the red light | 12 Points |
| Driving the vehicle in the opposite direction of traffic | 12 Points |
| Maneuvering at speed between vehicles on public roads | 8 Points |
| Failure to comply with the hand signals of a security officer | 8 Points |
| Driving a vehicle without brakes or lights | 8 Points |
| Failure to stop completely at a stop sign | 6 Points |
| Failure to observe right-of-way rules | 6 Points |
| Exceeding the speed limit by more than 25 km/h | 6 Points |
| Failure to give right-of-way to cars inside a roundabout | 6 Points |
| Overtaking in areas where overtaking is prohibited | 6 Points |
| Stopping on railway lines | 6 Points |
| Exceeding the speed limit by an amount not exceeding 25 km/h | 4 Points |
| Driving in lanes not designated for that purpose | 4 Points |
| Overtaking school transport buses when they stop to load or unload | 4 Points |
| Failure to cover and tie down the transported load | 4 Points |
| Modifying the structure or body of the vehicle without statutory procedures | 4 Points |
| Failure to wear a seat belt | 2 Points |
| Using a mobile phone by hand while driving | 2 Points |
| Failure to wear a helmet while driving motorcycles | 2 Points |
What are the Most Dangerous Violations in the Traffic Points System?
The most dangerous violations in the points system are those that record a large number of points at once because they may quickly bring the driver closer to the license suspension limit. At the forefront are driving under the influence of an intoxicant or drug and drifting, as each of them records 24 points.
Also, the violation of running a traffic signal (crossing a red light) and driving against the direction of traffic are considered extremely dangerous violations because each of them records 12 points. Therefore, their repetition or combination with other violations may lead to a rapid increase in the total points.
As for daily violations such as using a mobile phone by hand while driving or not wearing a seat belt, they may seem less dangerous than others, but they remain influential upon repetition and reflect behavior that may expose the driver and others to danger.
Difference Between a Financial Violation and Violation Points
A traffic violation in Saudi Arabia is not always limited to paying a financial amount only; there is a difference between a financial fine and violation points. Understanding this difference helps in dealing with violations more accurately because the impact of some violations on the license may be more important than their financial value, especially if they are violations that add a large number of points.
| Point of Comparison | Financial Violation | Violation Points |
| Definition | A financial amount imposed when committing a traffic violation | Points recorded against the driver according to the type and danger of the violation |
| Goal | Compelling the driver to pay a fine | Monitoring traffic behavior and its extent of danger |
| Impact | Direct financial cost | May affect the driving license when they accumulate |
| Variation | The value of the fine varies by violation type | Points vary according to the degree of danger |
| Reason for Attention | Because it represents a financial burden | Because it may lead to license suspension upon reaching the limit |
Hence, a driver should not look at the violation from the angle of the amount only, but from the angle of its full impact on their traffic record, especially if they drive daily or commit repeated violations.
How Do You Know the Number of Traffic Violation Points?
A driver can monitor the traffic violations recorded against them through the Absher platform and know their details in a way that helps them follow their traffic status moment by moment, through the following steps:
- Entering the Absher electronic website.
- Logging into the user account.
- Choosing Traffic Services from the electronic services list.
- Entering the service for inquiring about traffic violations.
- Entering the required data such as ID or residency number, calendar type, date of birth, and visual code.
- Reviewing the recorded violations and the details of each violation.
- Following the status of the violation, whether by payment or submitting an objection when there is a clear statutory reason.
These steps help the driver not to let violations accumulate without knowledge, especially since some violations may affect the license when repeated or when reaching the limit specified by law.
ابحث عن سيارة أحلامك الآن!
آلاف السيارات الجديدة والمستعملة بأفضل الأسعار. تصفح، قارن، واشتري بكل سهولة من خلال منصة كارلي الموثوقة.
Can You Object to Traffic Violations?
Yes, you can object to traffic violations in Saudi Arabia electronically via the Absher platform in the event of a clear reason that requires reviewing the violation. This service benefits drivers when noticing an error in the violation data or a mismatch between its details and reality, but it does not mean canceling the violation just by submitting the request; rather, it is subject to review by the competent authority.
Conditions for submitting an objection include that the beneficiary must be registered and activated in Absher, and the objection must be made within 30 days of the violation recording date. Note that an objection cannot be made on a paid violation, and it is not permitted to submit more than one objection for the same violation. Therefore, it is best to review the violation data well before sending the objection, write the reason in a clear and direct way, and then follow the request status through the platform.
How to Avoid the Accumulation of Traffic Violation Points?
Avoiding the accumulation of points begins with changing daily habits while driving, not just from knowing the system. Whenever the driver adheres to basic rules, the probability of recording repeated violations against them decreases.
Among the most important practical tips:
- Do not treat the yellow or red light as an opportunity for quick passage.
- Avoid using the phone by hand while driving.
- Adhere to the appropriate lane, especially at exits and intersections.
- Do not overtake school transport buses while they are stopped.
- Monitor speed on internal roads and highways.
- Ensure the safety of lights and brakes before driving.
- Adhere to the right-of-way rules at roundabouts and intersections.
- Review your violations periodically via Absher.
Why is Carly Interested in Providing Information About the Traffic Violation Point System?
The Carly website and application are interested in providing information about the traffic violation point system in Saudi Arabia because the journey of owning a car does not begin and end at choosing the model or knowing the price only; it also includes understanding the traffic systems that affect the daily driving experience. A driver who knows the highest-risk violations, the method of calculating points, and the limit that may lead to license suspension is better able to use their car with awareness and responsibility.
From this perspective, Carly is keen on providing instructional content that helps those searching for cars in Saudi Arabia make better decisions, whether when buying a new or used car or when comparing cars in terms of safety systems and practical equipment. Choosing a suitable car does not depend only on shape, power, or price, but is also linked to factors that help with safer driving. Therefore, clarifying the point system comes within Carly’s role in supporting the driver with information before and after purchase so that they do not choose a car that fits their budget only, but also fits their driving style and daily needs inside cities and on long roads.

Inaccurate Concepts Regarding the Traffic Violation Points System
There are some inaccurate concepts that drivers circulate about the point system that may cause confusion when dealing with violations, the most important of which are:
- The belief that paying the violation erases points immediately: Paying the fine does not mean ignoring the effect of the violation in terms of points, because points are linked to the driver’s record during the statutory period.
- The belief that simple violations do not matter: Some violations record only two points, but with repetition, they may accumulate with other higher-risk violations.
- Relying on unofficial information: It is always preferred to refer to the Absher platform, the Ministry of Interior, and Saudi Traffic when searching for details of violations, objecting, or inquiring.
- Confusing the fine value with the number of points: The financial fine may be the clearest to the driver, but the number of points may be more influential on the driving license upon repetition.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many points lead to license suspension in Saudi Arabia?
The penalty of driving license suspension is applied if the number of points recorded against the driver reaches 24 points during a Hijri year. The suspension duration varies according to the number of times this limit is repeatedly reached.
What is the violation that records the most points in Saudi Arabia?
Among the highest violations in the points table are driving a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant or drug, and drifting, as each of these violations records 24 points.
How many points for the violation of running a signal in Saudi Arabia?
Crossing a traffic light signal during the red light records 12 points according to the traffic points table published by the Ministry of Interior.
How many points for a driving against traffic (opposite direction) violation?
Driving the vehicle in the direction opposite to the flow of traffic records 12 points, and it is among the dangerous violations that may cause direct accidents.
Are there points for using a mobile phone while driving?
Yes, using a mobile phone by hand while driving records two points according to the traffic points table.
Are there points for not fastening the seat belt?
Yes, not fastening the seat belt records two points in the traffic points table.
Can traffic violations be objected to?
Yes, Absher provides the service of objecting to traffic violations issued by the General Department of Traffic or any other entity authorized to apply the traffic system.
In the end, understanding the traffic violation point system in Saudi Arabia helps every driver deal with the road with greater awareness and know the violations that may affect their traffic record and driving license when repeated or accumulated. Knowledge here is not just theoretical information, but an important step to avoid dangerous behaviors. Carly does not stop at displaying cars for sale and purchase only, but provides an experience that helps the person searching for a car in Saudi Arabia form a clearer picture before making a decision











