Car Registration (Istimara) in Saudi Arabia: Renew & Transfer

The istimara is your vehicle registration card, issued by the General Directorate of Traffic (Muroor) and linked to your plate number and your national ID or Iqama. Keeping it valid is a legal requirement for driving on Saudi roads, and thanks to digital services the whole renewal process can now be completed in minutes from your phone. In this guide, Saudi Living walks you through renewing your istimara, the fees involved, and what you need to prepare before you start.

What is the istimara and how long is it valid?

The istimara is the official document that proves your ownership and your car's road eligibility. For private vehicles, registration is issued for a validity period of up to 3 years. When renewing, you can choose the term that suits you:

• One year for SAR 100.
• Three years for SAR 300.

Note that even if you renew for three years, the annual technical inspection (fahas / MVPI) is still required once your vehicle passes the age threshold. Renewing for a longer term does not exempt you from the yearly inspection.

Fees you should budget for

The government renewal fee for a private car is SAR 100 Other vehicle categories are charged differently, for example:

• Private transport vehicle, private bus, or taxi: SAR 200
• Public work vehicle: SAR 300
• Public transport vehicle or public bus: SAR 400

Since early 2025, an additional Absher service processing fee of SAR 51.75 (including VAT) is charged on top of the government fee when renewing vehicle registration online.

Beyond the registration fee, budget for the related mandatory costs:

• Periodic technical inspection (fahas): typically around SAR 60–115, depending on the station and vehicle class.
• Motor insurance (Najm-registered): third-party cover is roughly SAR 400–1,500 while comprehensive cover ranges roughly SAR 2,000–6,000 your driver profile, and the coverage level.

Conditions you must meet before renewing

Absher checks several requirements electronically before it allows renewal. Make sure the following are in order:

• All traffic violations linked to the vehicle or the owner are cleared and paid.
• A valid periodic technical inspection (fahas) is on record.
• An active, valid motor insurance policy registered with Najm.

If any of these are missing or expired, the system will not complete the renewal until you resolve them.

How to renew your istimara online

The easiest route is through the Absher Individuals platform or its mobile app, which handles the full process including fee payment and requesting a printed card. The National Portal service entry for registration renewal also routes you to Absher.

• Log in to your Absher Individuals account.
• Go to the vehicles section and select the vehicle you want to renew.
• Choose the vehicle registration renewal service.
• Select your renewal term (one year or three years).
• Confirm that inspection and insurance appear as valid, and clear any outstanding violations.
• Pay the fees, including the Absher service processing fee.
• Request a new printed card by postal delivery, or collect it from a Muroor office.

A new physical card can be printed at a Muroor office or delivered by post once the online renewal is complete.

Avoiding late-renewal penalties

Do not let your istimara lapse. A late renewal carries a penalty of SAR 100 for an expired registration, and driving with an expired registration can lead to additional fines if you are stopped. It is smart to set a reminder a few weeks before the expiry date so you have time to renew the inspection and insurance if needed.

Transferring vehicle ownership

When buying or selling a car, ownership must be transferred so the istimara reflects the new owner. This is handled through the traffic services on Absher, and both buyer and seller typically complete their part electronically. Before transfer, ensure the vehicle has valid insurance, a valid inspection where required, and no outstanding violations. Because specific transfer steps and any applicable fees can change, confirm the current requirements directly on Absher before you proceed.

Quick checklist

• Valid periodic inspection (fahas).
• Active Najm-registered insurance.
• All violations cleared.
• Renewal term chosen (1 or 3 years).
• Fees ready, including the Absher service fee.

For the most current fees and steps, always confirm through Absher or the relevant official Saudi government portal before starting.

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