No, studded tires are prohibited nationwide under Saudi Arabia’s 2024 Traffic Law amendments, enforced by the Ministry of Interior’s Traffic Department. The regulation aligns with Vision 2030 sustainability goals, targeting road surface preservation and air quality. Exceptions require prior approval from the General Authority for Meteorology and Environmental Protection (GAMEP) under strict environmental impact assessments.
Key Regulations for Studded Tires in Saudi Arabia
- Absolute Ban: Article 53 of the Traffic Law (Royal Decree M/198, 1445H) explicitly prohibits studded tires for all vehicle categories, with no grandfather clauses.
- Penalties: Violations incur fines up to SAR 900 and vehicle impoundment for 72 hours, per Article 67 of the implementing regulations.
- Environmental Waivers: GAMEP may grant temporary exemptions for specialized vehicles (e.g., snowplows) only if equipped with low-impact studs and approved noise/vibration thresholds.
Local municipalities, including Riyadh and Jeddah, enforce supplementary traffic orders reinforcing the ban, particularly during sandstorm seasons when studded tires exacerbate road degradation. The 2026 compliance framework mandates annual vehicle inspections to verify tire compliance, with digital reporting via the Absher platform. Non-compliant tires must be replaced before registration renewal.