The Riyadh transport and road directorate has fined car rental, taxi and other transport firms SR1.7 million for 625 violations over the past two months.

An official at the directorate was quoted as saying in a local publication recently that the violations include companies wanting customers to produce proof that they are working.

This is illegal because the law does not require this or other documents for civil and military employees. Customers are only required to produce their residence permits, national identity cards and driver’s licenses.

The official said the department found that there was a lack of Saudization at companies. Many were also involved in activities for which they did not have permits including renting cars, school transportation, goods transportation, and opening branches.

There are currently 20,344 public taxi licenses for individuals working in Riyadh province and 444 for companies. There are three licenses for private taxi operators because this is a new commercial activity approved a year ago.

The province has issued 520 licenses for car rental companies, of which 465 are operational. There are six licenses for firms transporting passengers in small taxis in Riyadh, Al-Kharj and Al-Mazahimiyah; and 265 for school transport, of which 224 are operational.

The province has issued 51 international transport licenses for those firms operating into neighboring countries including Syria and Turkey. A total of 1,168 companies have licenses for large and heavy vehicles, while there are 70 for moving goods.

The transport directorate warned that it would continue inspections to ensure that companies and individuals abide by the country’s laws. Violators would be fined, or their businesses closed down in coordination with the municipality and traffic directorate. Those who rectify their position would be allowed to operate again.