Driving into Saudi Arabia? New 90-day rule for GCC vehicles explained

Vehicles bearing Gulf plates will soon face a firm time limit inside Saudi Arabia. Under new rules approved by the Saudi government, cars registered in any Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) country can no longer remain in the Kingdom beyond 90 days within a 365-day period.

The decision was issued by the Saudi Council of Ministers, which framed regulations to control how long GCC-registered vehicles may stay in the country. The 90-day cap applies whether the stay is consecutive or split across multiple visits. The countdown begins from the date the vehicle enters Saudi Arabia through any customs port.

Who the rule applies to

The regulations cover vehicles registered in GCC countries and owned by Saudi citizens, expatriates, or individuals authorized to drive them inside the Kingdom. However, cars rented from licensed rental establishments in GCC member states are excluded from the rule.

Authorities say the move is intended to regulate vehicle usage and curb violations linked to cars remaining in Saudi Arabia for extended periods without local registration.

Extension requests allowed, but not guaranteed

Vehicle owners or authorized drivers may request an extension before the 90-day period expires. Applications must be submitted to the Ministry of Interior, which will review each request at its discretion and outline the required procedures and documentation.

Implementation will involve coordination between government bodies. The Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority will supply the Ministry of Interior with necessary vehicle data. Owners or authorized drivers are required to register vehicle details at the customs port in line with the authority’s requirements upon entry.

Penalties for overstaying

The regulations make clear that exceeding the permitted stay will trigger penalties under Article 68, Paragraph 5 of the Saudi Traffic Law, as overstaying constitutes a traffic violation.

The governor of the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority is expected to issue the executive decisions needed to activate the framework, in coordination with the Ministry of Interior.

The new measures formalize what officials describe as a structured approach to monitoring foreign-registered vehicles and preventing prolonged stays without proper compliance.