{"id":8399,"date":"2026-07-04T05:52:38","date_gmt":"2026-07-03T19:52:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/saphyroo.com\/sa\/?p=8399"},"modified":"2026-07-04T05:52:38","modified_gmt":"2026-07-03T19:52:38","slug":"tga-driver-card","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/saphyroo.com\/sa\/blog\/tga-driver-card\/","title":{"rendered":"Everything You Need to Know About the TGA Driver Card in 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The TGA Driver Card is one of the smallest compliance requirements in your operation and one of the costliest to miss. A single expired or missing card can prevent a driver from working, leave a vehicle off the road and disrupt daily operations. For fleets managing 50 or more drivers, that risk is present every working day.<\/p>\n

The card is issued by Saudi Arabia’s Transport General Authority (TGA) and allows a driver to legally carry out regulated commercial transport. The requirement is straightforward, but compliance depends on getting the details right. That means submitting the correct document bundle, selecting the right card type and tracking renewal dates. If any of these are missed or incorrect, the driver may not be permitted to operate.<\/p>\n

Who Needs a Professional Driver Card?<\/h2>\n

Professional Driver Cards are required for drivers operating commercial vehicles exceeding 3,500 kg GVW, as well as those working in:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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    <\/svg><\/span>Commercial passenger transport<\/span><\/div>\n<\/li>\n
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    <\/svg><\/span>School transport<\/span><\/div>\n<\/li>\n
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    <\/svg><\/span>Towing and recovery services<\/span><\/div>\n<\/li>\n
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    <\/svg><\/span>Other regulated transport activities<\/span><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n
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    Document bundle:<\/strong><\/p>\n

    This includes a valid Rukhsa, Iqama or National ID as well as the employer’s active TGA operator licence. Education transport drivers also need a TGA medical report, first aid certificate and a clean criminal record certificate. Taxi drivers fall under separate TGA medical fitness requirements.<\/p>\n

    Deadline<\/strong><\/p>\n

    The TGA has extended key road transport compliance deadlines to August 2026. Professional Driver Card compliance is included within these wider requirements and is not subject to a separate deadline.<\/p>\n

    Renewal rule:<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Renewals should be managed across the fleet as a single process. If a driver’s card expires, they are taken off the road and the vehicle is also taken out of service.<\/p>\n

    What is a TGA driver card<\/h2>\n

    A TGA driver card is an activity licence issued by the Transport General Authority (TGA) that allows the holder to carry out regulated commercial transport. It sits alongside the Rukhsa (driving licence) and the Istimara (vehicle registration). Each one is separate and all three must be valid and up to date.<\/p>\n

    A driver may hold a valid Rukhsa but still be considered unlicensed for commercial work if the driver card has expired or was never issued.<\/p>\n

    Each document covers a different part of compliance:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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      <\/svg><\/span>The Rukhsa is the driver’s licence to operate a vehicle<\/span><\/div>\n<\/li>\n
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      <\/svg><\/span>The Istimara is the registration that allows the vehicle on the road<\/span><\/div>\n<\/li>\n
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      <\/svg><\/span>The TGA driver card confirms approval for commercial transport activity<\/span><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n
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      If any one of these lapses, the driver cannot operate in a regulated role.<\/p>\n

      Wasl is TGA’s mandatory platform for commercial fleet operators and vehicle registration. Any driver assigned to a Wasl registered vehicle must hold the correct driver card for that activity. Fleet managers who want compliance records across all drivers typically ensure the card is in place before the driver is deployed.<\/p>\n

      Who needs a TGA driver card<\/h2>\n

      The TGA driver card is not required for every driver, but it applies broadly across commercial fleet operations.<\/p>\n

      Any driver operating a commercial vehicle exceeding 3,500 kg gross vehicle weight (GVW) must hold a valid Professional Driver Card.<\/p>\n

      Enforcement of this requirement began on 8 December 2022, making it a long standing compliance obligation for heavy vehicle operators. Fleets that have not yet met the requirement may already be carrying a compliance risk that could surface during audits, inspections or licensing reviews.<\/p>\n

      The requirement extends beyond freight transport. It also applies to commercial passenger services, including taxis, buses and limousines, as well as school transport, towing operations and other regulated transport activities.<\/p>\n

      Some dangerous goods activities may require additional hazardous materials endorsements. Operators should always confirm the correct card category and licensing requirements before applying.<\/p>\n

      Educational transport comes with additional conditions. According to Saudi Press Agency (N2153260), drivers must be at least 25 years old, pass a TGA medical examination, hold an approved first aid certificate, pass a professional competency test and provide a clean criminal record.<\/p>\n

      For fleet HR teams, the practical approach is to map drivers into three groups: those who need a card, those who already have a valid one and those holding the wrong type. That last category is often overlooked but creates the same issue as having no card at all.<\/p>\n

      The Four TGA Driver Cards<\/h2>\n

      TGA driver cards are issued based on how long the driver will operate and the type of work involved. They are not interchangeable and selecting the wrong type can lead to compliance issues and take drivers off the road.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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      TGA Driver Card Types<\/div>\n
      \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
      Type<\/th>\nDuration<\/th>\nRenewable<\/th>\nWho it fits<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
      Annual<\/td>\n1 year<\/td>\nYes<\/td>\nStandard fleet driver in regular service<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      Seasonal<\/td>\n90 days<\/td>\nOnce<\/td>\nHajj, Umrah and designated peak periods<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      Temporary<\/td>\n90 days<\/td>\nNo<\/td>\nCargo drivers holding a driver’s visa and an international driving licence<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      Restricted<\/td>\n30 days<\/td>\nNo<\/td>\nCargo transport for specific government transactions<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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      Source: Saudi Gazette, four card types.<\/p>\n

      Annual cards are issued for drivers working year round as part of regular commercial transport operations.<\/p>\n

      Seasonal cards are designed for peak periods such as Hajj and Umrah and can be renewed once to support temporary increases in demand.<\/p>\n

      Temporary cards apply to cargo drivers entering the Kingdom on a driver’s visa with an international licence. They are valid for 90 days and cannot be renewed.<\/p>\n

      Restricted cards are limited to specific government cargo transactions and are not intended for general commercial transport.<\/p>\n

      Using a Restricted Card for routine deliveries is a misclassification and carries the same operational risk as having no valid card at all.<\/p>\n

      Choosing the wrong card type can delay approvals, create compliance issues and prevent a driver from legally operating under the licensed transport activity.<\/p>\n

      How to Apply for a TGA Driver Card<\/h2>\n

      Applications are submitted through the TGA’s Naql portal at naql.sa. For support, the TGA unified number 19929 can be used for enquiries. The process is fully electronic, with all required documents uploaded directly through the portal.<\/p>\n

      To apply for a TGA driver card, the following documents must be submitted through the Naql portal:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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