How to pay traffic fines in Saudi Arabia and fix common payment problems

If you have a traffic fine in KSA, the fastest way to clear it is usually through your bank using SADAD. Absher is where you check details, track status, and handle issues like disputes. This guide by Ksa Buddy walks you through both methods and the common problems people hit, without screenshots or guesswork.

Quick reality check
Most people pay traffic fines through one of these routes:

1. Bank app or ATM using SADAD
2. Absher for checking violations and next steps

The exact labels can vary by bank and by Absher web versus app, but the flow is consistent.

How to pay traffic fines in Saudi Arabia

You have two practical ways to do it. If you just want to pay and move on, start with the bank app and SADAD. If you need details or something looks off, check Absher first.

Before you pay: what you need ready

1. Your Iqama or National ID number
2. A bank account in Saudi Arabia, or access to your bank ATM if you prefer
3. The violation number if you want to search a specific ticket, optional but helpful
4. Your Absher account details if you plan to check full information or dispute

Tip
If you cannot log in to Absher, you can still use the public inquiry service to look up traffic violations using your ID plus either the violation number or your date of birth.

Method 1: Pay through your bank app using SADAD

This is the most common approach for residents, and it is also available through ATMs. The Ministry of Interior states that traffic tickets can be settled through the SADAD system at ATMs of all banks.

1. Open your bank app
2. Go to Payments, Bills, SADAD, or Government payments
3. Look for a category like Ministry of Interior or Traffic
4. Choose Traffic Violations or a similar option
5. Enter the payer ID requested, usually your Iqama or National ID
6. Review the fines list and select what you want to pay
7. Confirm the payment

How to confirm the payment went through

1. Save the confirmation screen or reference number from the bank app
2. Check your bank transaction history to make sure the payment is posted
3. Then re check the violation status in Absher after a short wait, because status updates are not always instant

Method 2: Check and pay via Absher

Absher is the official place most people use to view their violations and confirm status. The National Portal page for this service shows the common navigation path inside Absher.

Where to find your traffic violations in Absher

1. Log in to Absher
2. Go to Electronic Services
3. Open Queries
4. Choose Traffic
5. Select Query Traffic Violations
6. Review your violations list and open any fine to see details

Public inquiry option if you cannot log in
Absher has a public Query Traffic Violations page that lets you search by ID number and either violation number or date of birth.

How to use it

1. Open the public inquiry page
2. Enter the ID number
3. Choose search type: violation number or date of birth
4. Complete the image code and submit

What you’ll see on the screen

In bank apps and ATMs, labels vary. These are the most common terms to look for:

1. SADAD or Bills
2. Government payments or Government services
3. Ministry of Interior or MOI
4. Traffic or Traffic Violations
5. Payer ID, Subscriber number, or ID number field

In Absher, the core wording is usually close to:

1. Electronic Services
2. Queries
3. Traffic
4. Query Traffic Violations

Common problems and fixes

The fine is not showing yet

What to do

1. Check again later. Some violations take time to appear after being issued.
2. Make sure you are searching with the correct ID number.
3. If you are using the public inquiry, try the other search type. Use violation number if you have it, otherwise use date of birth.
4. If it still does not appear, check directly inside Absher after logging in, since the logged in view can show more context than the public inquiry page.

SADAD biller not found or the category looks wrong

This is a bank app organization issue more than an Absher issue.

Fixes that usually work

1. Search within the SADAD screen for keywords like MOI, Traffic, or Violations
2. Switch from Bills to Government payments if your bank separates them
3. Try the bank ATM route if the app UI is confusing, since MOI notes settlement via SADAD at ATMs
4. If your bank app asks for a specific reference number you do not have, use Absher to view the violation and confirm what identifiers are shown there

Paid but still shows unpaid

This happens when the payment is successful but the status sync is delayed.

What to do

1. Keep your SADAD receipt or bank confirmation number
2. Wait a bit and re check Absher later
3. If it still shows unpaid after a reasonable wait, contact your bank first with the confirmation number, then Absher support if needed

The fine details look wrong or you want to dispute it

Absher provides an official Dispute Traffic Violations service, but it has rules. For example, Absher notes time related eligibility, and the Ministry of Interior eService page notes that paid violations cannot be disputed online and should be handled through traffic department branches.

Safe approach that avoids headaches

1. Do not pay first if you plan to dispute, unless you are trying to avoid penalties multiplying and you know your case needs in person handling
2. Open Absher and look for Dispute Traffic Violations
3. Submit the dispute with a clear reason and keep any supporting proof you have, like location context or vehicle details
4. If the fine is already paid and you still need to challenge it, plan for an in person visit to the traffic department branch as the official eService notes

When to contact support and what to prepare

Have these ready before you call or chat:

1. Your ID number
2. Violation number if available
3. Payment receipt, SADAD confirmation, or transaction reference
4. Screenshot of the error message if you get one

MOI provides a support line for Absher e services on its traffic page.

Quick checklist before you hit pay

1. Confirm the ID number is correct
2. Check the amount and the number of fines selected
3. Save the payment confirmation
4. Re check the status in Absher later for peace of mind

Final tips to avoid repeat fines

1. Keep your mobile number updated in official records so you do not miss notifications, since MOI notes tickets are registered automatically and sent based on registered contact details
2. If you are renting a car, confirm with the rental company how violations are handled and how they will contact you
3. Do not use random payment links. Stick to bank SADAD, Absher, or official portals

Conclusion
For most people, paying via SADAD in your bank app is the quickest fix. Use Absher to confirm details, track status, and handle disputes properly. Save your receipt, re check status later, and you will avoid most of the usual stress.

FAQ