Country driving guide · 2026
Everything UK and EU drivers need before crossing the border into Saudi Arabia: 10 legal requirements + 6 other things worth knowing.
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Tick before you go
10 legal must-haves. Print it, tick them off, throw it in the glovebox.
1968 International Driving Permit required
Saudi Arabia recognises the 1968 Vienna Convention IDP, which UK drivers can obtain from the Post Office for GBP 5.50 alongside their photocard licence. EU drivers should carry the 1968 IDP plus their national licence.
Passport with valid visa or eVisa
Carry your passport at all times with a valid Saudi tourist eVisa or GCC residency; police checkpoints are common on intercity routes.
Local third-party insurance mandatory
UK/EU green cards are not valid; you must buy Saudi third-party motor insurance (Tameen) at the border or via Najm/Tawuniya, typically SAR 200-600 (EUR 50-150) for short cover.
V5C and customs carnet for own vehicle
Bringing your own car requires the V5C logbook plus a Carnet de Passage issued by the RAC/AA (deposit can exceed GBP 10,000) for temporary import via Jordan or the Bahrain causeway.
Drive on the right
Saudi Arabia drives on the right; UK/IE drivers must adjust and fit headlamp beam deflectors if bringing a RHD car.
Speed limits 120 / 110 / 60 km/h
Motorways 120 km/h (140 km/h on some sections of Riyadh-Qassim and Makkah-Madinah expressways), rural roads 110 km/h, urban areas 60 km/h. Saher fixed cameras enforce strictly.
Zero alcohol: 0.00 g/L BAC
Alcohol is completely banned; driving with any trace results in jail, deportation and lashes. Do not drink in transit before arrival.
Warning triangle and first aid kit
A reflective warning triangle is mandatory; a first aid kit and fire extinguisher are strongly recommended and checked at some MVPI inspections.
Seatbelts and no phone use
Seatbelts compulsory for driver and all passengers; handheld phone use carries a SAR 500-900 (EUR 125-225) fine via Saher cameras.
Declare cash over SAR 60,000
Amounts over SAR 60,000 (approx EUR 15,000) in cash or equivalent must be declared to Saudi Customs on arrival and departure.
Saudi Arabia recognises the 1968 Vienna Convention IDP, which UK drivers can obtain from the Post Office for GBP 5.50 alongside their photocard licence. EU drivers should carry the 1968 IDP plus their national licence.
Carry your passport at all times with a valid Saudi tourist eVisa or GCC residency; police checkpoints are common on intercity routes.
UK/EU green cards are not valid; you must buy Saudi third-party motor insurance (Tameen) at the border or via Najm/Tawuniya, typically SAR 200-600 (EUR 50-150) for short cover.
Bringing your own car requires the V5C logbook plus a Carnet de Passage issued by the RAC/AA (deposit can exceed GBP 10,000) for temporary import via Jordan or the Bahrain causeway.
Female visitors with a valid 1968 IDP can drive and rent cars on equal terms; no male guardian permission is required.
Saudi Arabia drives on the right; UK/IE drivers must adjust and fit headlamp beam deflectors if bringing a RHD car.
Motorways 120 km/h (140 km/h on some sections of Riyadh-Qassim and Makkah-Madinah expressways), rural roads 110 km/h, urban areas 60 km/h. Saher fixed cameras enforce strictly.
Alcohol is completely banned; driving with any trace results in jail, deportation and lashes. Do not drink in transit before arrival.
Seatbelts compulsory for driver and all passengers; handheld phone use carries a SAR 500-900 (EUR 125-225) fine via Saher cameras.
Non-Muslims are legally barred from entering central Makkah and parts of Madinah; signed Christian/non-Muslim bypass routes must be followed or you risk arrest.
Saudi Arabia uses 911 nationwide for police, ambulance and fire; report accidents to Najm (920000560) before moving vehicles.
There is no vignette system and almost all motorways are free; the only notable toll is the King Fahd Causeway to Bahrain (SAR 25-50 / EUR 6-12 per crossing) paid in cash or card at the booth.
A reflective warning triangle is mandatory; a first aid kit and fire extinguisher are strongly recommended and checked at some MVPI inspections.
Carry at least 5 litres of water per person, a full fuel tank and a working AC; sandstorms (haboobs) between March-May can drop visibility to zero: pull fully off the carriageway with hazards on.
Currency is the Saudi Riyal (SAR), pegged at ~3.75 to the USD. Petrol 95 costs around SAR 2.33/L (EUR 0.58) and diesel SAR 1.15/L (EUR 0.29); pay by card or Mada at stations, tipping the attendant SAR 2-5 is customary.
Amounts over SAR 60,000 (approx EUR 15,000) in cash or equivalent must be declared to Saudi Customs on arrival and departure.
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Start planning →Places to add to your Saudi Arabia road trip.
Don't get caught out
Saudi Arabia drives on the right; UK/IE drivers must adjust and fit headlamp beam deflectors if bringing a RHD car.
Motorways 120 km/h (140 km/h on some sections of Riyadh-Qassim and Makkah-Madinah expressways), rural roads 110 km/h, urban areas 60 km/h. Saher fixed cameras enforce strictly.
Alcohol is completely banned; driving with any trace results in jail, deportation and lashes. Do not drink in transit before arrival.
Seatbelts compulsory for driver and all passengers; handheld phone use carries a SAR 500-900 (EUR 125-225) fine via Saher cameras.