Two-Wheeler Owners Asked to Obtain Permits, Licenses

JEDDAH, 29 January 2006 — In an important move aimed at regulating use of two-wheelers, the traffic department yesterday urged owners of motorbikes to register their vehicles and get a license and a number plate. The department also called upon motorbike users to follow traffic regulations in order to save their lives and the lives of others.

The department issued the regulations after a dramatic increase in the use of two-wheelers throughout the country. At present there is no clear system for the import of motorbikes and their users do not follow traffic regulations and thus endanger their own lives and the lives of others.

“Owners of motorbikes should obtain a road license; otherwise they will not be able to use the vehicles,” the department said in a statement. “They should also follow traffic regulations including the wearing of helmets while riding motorbikes,” it added.

Imports of two-wheelers, three-wheelers and four-wheelers for children remained banned under a royal decree issued in 1984.

In a related development, the Shoura Council will discuss an 86-article draft traffic law today. The new law allows applicants aged 18 years to receive a driving license for private vehicles, including bikes. Those driving public vehicles should be at least 20 years old.

The law bans issuing driving licenses to those convicted of taking narcotics or of making, smuggling, marketing or possessing drugs. It allows for temporary driving licenses for one year to young men aged 17. The validity of a driving license for private vehicles will be set at 10 years and of transport vehicles at five years.

The law allows the interior minister to set up private associations to create traffic awareness in order to reduce the number of road accidents. It also envisages the formation of a supreme traffic council.

Under the law, joyriders will face confiscation of vehicle, fines and jail sentence.

According to the law, drivers leaving the scene of an accident after causing it, without providing medical treatment to the injured, will be fined not less than SR2,000 or jailed not more than three months or both.