Car Plates in Saudi Arabia Types and What They Mean

If you have ever driven around the Kingdom and noticed different plate colors, you are not alone. Car plates in Saudi Arabia are not just random designs. They actually tell you what kind of vehicle it is, whether it is a private car, a taxi, or a commercial truck.

Once you understand the system, you can quickly recognize what each plate type means on the road, which is especially useful for expats, new drivers, and anyone buying a used car.

How Car Plates in Saudi Arabia Show Vehicle Type

Saudi plates follow a simple idea the plate has a standard white background, but the side strip color and a small symbol indicate the vehicle category.

This makes it easy for traffic authorities and drivers to identify the purpose of a vehicle at a glance.

If you want to explore the full official classification with examples, you can check out this Wikipedia breakdown of Saudi plate types

Private Car Plates (White Strip)

This is the most common plate type in Saudi Arabia. Private cars used by individuals and families have a white strip with a circle symbol.

You will see these plates everywhere in cities like Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam because they cover everyday personal vehicles.

If you own a normal sedan or SUV registered for personal use, this is usually the category.

Taxi and Public Transport Plates (Yellow Strip)

Vehicles used for passenger transport, including taxis, have a yellow strip with an upward triangle symbol.

These plates help distinguish taxis and transport vehicles from private cars. You will often notice them on city taxis, airport transport vehicles, and some ride hailing fleet cars.

Commercial and Truck Plates (Blue Strip)

Commercial vehicles such as trucks, delivery vehicles, and business use pickups have a blue strip with a downward triangle symbol.

This category is important because commercial vehicles may follow different traffic rules in certain zones, and they are registered under business activity rather than personal ownership.

If you are buying a used pickup, checking whether it has a private or commercial plate can save you surprises later.

Temporary Plates (Silver Strip)

Temporary plates are an official category, but most drivers rarely see them.

They use a silver strip with a left pointing triangle symbol and are issued only in specific short term situations, such as limited transfers or special registration cases.

Because they are uncommon, many residents go years without noticing one in daily traffic.

Diplomatic Plates (Green Strip)

Diplomatic plates also exist but are very rare outside embassy areas.

They have a green strip and are issued to embassy and consulate vehicles. Since most diplomatic cars operate in limited zones, you will not often spot these plates unless you live near diplomatic quarters.

Why Plate Type Matters in Real Life

Understanding Saudi plate types is more than just trivia. It can actually help you in practical situations, such as

• Buying a used vehicle and confirming whether it is private or commercial
• Recognizing taxis versus private cars
• Understanding why certain vehicles have different registration rules
• Avoiding confusion when dealing with traffic or vehicle ownership transfers

For more everyday Saudi driving and residency guides, you can also check useful resources on KSA Buddy for expats and locals

Quick Tips for Residents and Expats

• Always check plate color and symbol before buying a used vehicle
• Commercial plates may involve different ownership and insurance requirements

Temporary and diplomatic plates are official but uncommon, so do not worry if you never see them

For the most updated rules, the Absher and Muroor services remain the best place to confirm registration details before making payments or transfers