The General Authority for Roads announced the issuance of over 16,000 permits to regulate the movement of exceptional loads and excavation works on the road network outside urban areas in the Kingdom during the second quarter of 2026, as part of its efforts to enhance road safety, raise operational efficiency, and confirm its regulatory and supervisory role over the road sector in accordance with approved procedures and standards.

The Roads Authority explained that the issued permits included 15,472 permits for the transport of exceptional loads, with total trip lengths exceeding 8.3 million kilometers. The statistics also included the issuance of 657 permits for excavation works with lengths exceeding 1,516 kilometers, in addition to 86 permits for extending excavation works, and 296 clearance permits.

Saudi Standard Specifications

The Authority affirmed the effectiveness of issuing permits through dedicated digital channels, and their contribution to facilitating procedures for beneficiaries, enabling them to obtain permits electronically, as well as improving safety levels and enhancing the experience of companies and relevant entities.

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It stressed the obligation of carriers to obtain special permits for indivisible exceptional loads that exceed the approved Saudi standard specifications in weight and dimensions. Compliance with these standards is strictly verified through weighing stations spread across the road network to ensure loads do not exceed the permissible limits and to protect infrastructure from the negative effects of excess weights.

Governance of Transport Procedures

The Authority pointed out that the transport of heavy equipment is one of the most prominent cases requiring an exceptional permit, noting the governance of transport procedures and the determination of specific times for the movement of these loads to reduce potential risks associated with their transport during unfavorable weather conditions, night hours, and official holidays. These permits play a pivotal role in regulating transport movement on the road network, enhancing traffic flow, and raising the efficiency of logistics operations.

The General Authority for Roads continues its efforts as the supervising and regulating entity for the road sector, achieving the sector's objectives centered on safety, quality, and traffic density. These procedures are integrated with its endeavors to apply best global practices, aiming to raise the quality ranking of roads in the Kingdom to sixth globally and reduce the death rate to less than five cases per 100,000 population by 2030, thereby enhancing the efficiency of this vital sector and supporting the national logistics services system.