Saudi Road Code Sets Unified National Roads Standards

The Roads General Authority (RGA) has advanced a unified national framework for the country's road sector, anchored by the Saudi Road Code — a single technical and regulatory reference governing the planning, design, construction, operation, maintenance, safety, and environmental aspects of all roads across the Kingdom, both inside and outside urban areas.

The framework, backed by a Cabinet-approved regulation, positions the RGA as the sector's legislating and regulating body under the Ministry of Transport and Logistics Services. It aims to raise compliance with the Code as a unified technical reference and to reduce disparities in road practices among responsible entities across regions.

The Saudi Road Code comprises more than 25 thematic regulations and codes covering road design standards, construction and materials, bridges and tunnels, maintenance, safety protocols, environmental impact and mitigation, and — notably — requirements for autonomous vehicles. It applies to all categories of roads, from highways and arterial routes to collector and local roads, across every phase of the road life cycle.

Why it matters

For residents and drivers, the Code targets higher minimum levels of quality, safety, security, economic efficiency, and sustainability on the roads they use daily. The unified framework also introduces specific sub-regulations, including the Exceptional Loads Transport Regulation, the Experimental Works Regulation, and the Road Right-of-Way Permits Regulation.

An environmental component sets mandatory requirements for assessing, mitigating, reporting, and monitoring the impact of road projects on natural and human-made resources. As of 2026, implementation is supported by a draft Saudi Highway Code Law that defines the scope of application, responsibilities, licensing, violations, penalties, inspection, and enforcement.

The Code's first edition is currently available as electronic copies only through the RGA's official website, with no hard copies in circulation. Technical or editorial comments may be submitted via the Authority's official email at roadscode@rga.gov.sa.

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