Driving in Saudi Arabia as a China National

Saudi Arabia has recently opened to tourism with modern highways, extreme heat, and very cheap fuel. Women can now drive. Riyadh and Jeddah traffic can be heavy; the NEOM development signals ongoing infrastructure change.

Key Things to Know First

IDP Required

Saudi Arabia requires an International Driving Permit for foreign visitors. Obtain one in China before departure.

How to get an IDP

Same Side of the Road

Both China and Saudi Arabia drive on the right. No adjustment needed.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Rule	China	Saudi Arabia	Change?
Traffic side	Right-hand traffic	Right-hand traffic	Same
Speed unit	km/h	km/h	Same
IDP required	—	Yes	Yes
Min. driving age	18	18	Same
Emergency number	110	911	Different
Road difficulty	Challenging	Moderate	—

Speed Limits in Saudi Arabia

Urban

40-60 km/h

Rural / Open road

100-120 km/h

Highway / Motorway

120-140 km/h

Documents to Carry in Saudi Arabia

Original driving licence from China — must be valid and unexpired
International Driving Permit (IDP) — required in Saudi Arabia. Obtain from your national motoring association before travelling.
Passport or national ID — carry at all times while driving
Car insurance certificate — verify it covers Saudi Arabia before departure
Vehicle registration / rental agreement

Emergency Number in Saudi Arabia

911

Primary emergency number in Saudi Arabia. Save it before you drive.

Emergency numbers for all countries

Full Saudi Arabia Driving Guide

Road rules, toll system, fuel types, parking, regional quirks — everything you need for driving in Saudi Arabia.

Read the complete guide