SA · Expiry & renewal tracking
Renew every professional driver card before it lapses
A TGA professional driver card has no fixed term: it is valid until the earliest expiry of the provider's licence, the driving licence, the competence certificate or the temporary work permit (Article 21 of the Heavy Goods Transport Regulations). Renewal is filed in the 30 days before expiry; after 90 days it lapses.
In Saudi Arabia, heavy goods transport by trucks with a gross weight over 3,500 kg is regulated by the Transport General Authority (TGA) under the Implementing Regulations for Heavy Goods Transport Activities for commercial and non-commercial purposes, issued under the Road Transport Law (Royal Decree No. M/188 dated 24/08/1446 AH) (Articles 1 and 2).
Every driver must hold a professional driver card, or a professional driver card for dangerous goods transport where relevant. It requires a valid driving licence of the right category, a passed professional competence test (or the dangerous goods competence test) from a TGA-accredited centre, a suitable occupation on the residence ID for non-Saudi drivers, and a link to the service provider through a contract or an approved temporary work permit (Article 21).
The card is valid only until the earliest of these dates: the expiry of the service provider's licence, the driving licence, the professional competence certificate, or the temporary work permit. If the driver moves to another establishment, the card is re-linked to that establishment's licence without being reissued (Article 21).
At a glance
| Issued by | Transport General Authority (TGA) |
|---|---|
| Validity | Until the earliest expiry of the licence, driving licence, competence certificate or temporary work permit |
| Renewal | At the service provider's request, in the 30 days before expiry |
| After expiry | Renewal still possible within 90 days; no activity until renewed |
| Not renewed | Card cancelled 90 days after expiry |
| Restricted card | 30 days, to complete missing requirements; no work allowed |
A driver holding an international driving licence issued in another country, used in line with the rules of the General Directorate of Traffic, can get a driver card for 90 days (Article 21).
Who is responsible?
The service provider. It requests the renewal and pays any fee and outstanding fines (Article 21).
If the deadline passes
The service provider may still request renewal and meet all conditions within 90 days of expiry; otherwise the request is void. TGA may impose the penalties for late renewal, and the driver may not carry out any of the activities until the card is renewed. The card is cancelled 90 days after expiry if not renewed (Article 21).
Track the documents the card depends on
Because the card ends with the earliest of the licence, the driving licence, the competence certificate and the temporary work permit, a card can end early when any one of them expires (Article 21). Tracking each of those dates separately shows which one will end the card first.
Tracking it with ExpirySuite
- Add each driver's professional driver card with its expiry date.
- Also track the driver's driving licence and professional competence certificate, and your TGA licence, as separate documents.
- Reminders arrive 60, 30, 14, 7 and 1 day before expiry and on the expiry day; the 30-day reminder marks the start of the renewal window.
- Assign a responsible person (for example your fleet or HR manager) so the right person gets the reminder.
- If a card passes its expiry date, managers get overdue reminders 3, 7 and 14 days later, well before it is cancelled at 90 days.
- Emails arrive in each recipient's language, Arabic included.
Frequently asked questions
- How long is a professional driver card valid?
- It has no fixed term. It is valid until the earliest expiry of the service provider's licence, the driving licence, the professional competence certificate or the temporary work permit (Article 21 of the heavy goods transport regulations).
- When can the card be renewed?
- The service provider files the renewal request in the 30 days before the card expires, after paying any fee and fines (Article 21).
- What happens after expiry?
- Renewal may still be requested within 90 days of expiry, but TGA may impose penalties for the delay and the driver may not work in the activities until the card is renewed. After 90 days without renewal, the card is cancelled (Article 21).
- Does the card need reissuing when a driver changes employer?
- No. The card is re-linked to the licence of the new establishment without being reissued (Article 21).
Sources
Last checked: Sep 30, 2026 · This page summarises official sources for general information and is not legal advice. Check the linked sources for current rules and fees.
Made for professional driver card (TGA) (Saudi Arabia)
A ready template for professional driver card (TGA) (Saudi Arabia) with sensible validity defaults, so you enter less and track more.
Reminders on time
Email alerts at 60, 30, 14, 7 and 1 day before each professional driver card (TGA) (Saudi Arabia) expires, plus overdue escalation to managers.
Assign an owner
Give each professional driver card (TGA) (Saudi Arabia) an owner and let employees update their own via a secure link — no login needed.