Jeddah Removes Abandoned Vehicles to Ease Traffic

Jeddah Municipality has intensified its efforts to remove abandoned and damaged vehicles from central districts and residential areas, aiming to reduce visual distortion, ease congestion, and improve traffic flow across the city.

Under the framework in place, abandoned vehicles causing visual distortion fall under the Ministry of Municipal, Rural Affairs and Housing, while those creating security concerns or obstructing traffic fall under the Ministry of Interior. When field inspectors identify an abandoned or damaged vehicle during site visits, they notify the General Department of Traffic and General Investigations electronically before placing a warning sticker.

For vehicles marked over visual distortion, owners are given a 14-day correction period from the marking date to move or repair the vehicle. If a vehicle is lifted and impounded, the impoundment period is 90 days from the date of removal. Owners are also responsible for towing costs when vehicles are taken to scrapyards.

Traffic regulations allow fines of 100 to 150 SAR for vehicles left for long periods on public roads that contribute to congestion or visual distortion. In paid municipal parking zones, the fee is 3 SAR with a 75 SAR fine for non-payment and a 100 SAR fine for illegal parking. In prepaid downtown enforcement areas, parking fines range from 75 to 200 SAR, calculated automatically and payable immediately, with unpaid violations potentially leading to suspension of government services.

How to dispose of a vehicle legally

Owners who wish to dispose of an abandoned or damaged vehicle can use the Vehicle Ownership Cancellation (“Isqat Markaba”) service online through أبشر. The fully electronic process lists accredited scrapping centers, allowing citizens and residents to select one and deregister the vehicle, which legally removes it from traffic records.

The municipality reported removing 7,489 vehicles over three months as part of its campaigns. Clearing neglected vehicles frees up parking, improves road safety, and enhances the appearance of neighborhoods for residents.

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