A son or relative caught drifting, or their car impounded? Drifting in Saudi Arabia is not an ordinary traffic offence: the vehicle is impounded, a heavy fine imposed and the driver referred to court for possible imprisonment, rising with each repeat.
| Offence | Impound | Fine | Court |
|---|---|---|---|
| First | 15 days | SAR 20,000 | Referral for possible prison |
| Second | One month | SAR 40,000 | Referral for possible prison |
| Third | Impounded | SAR 60,000 | Referral for confiscation and prison |
Source: Article 69 of the Traffic Law as amended. Rented or stolen vehicles are not impounded or confiscated; the driver pays their value instead.
Reviewed by: Ahmad Farag Al-Sayed MuhammadHead of the Criminal Department at USUS Law FirmLast updated:
Facing a criminal case, or is a relative detained?
Tell us what you know: the charge, the date of arrest and who summoned you. A lawyer from our team will reply.
WhatsApp a lawyerCall RiyadhCall Tabuk
What you send us is confidential and used only to study your case.
Service page: Criminal lawyer in Riyadh
Frequently asked questions
What is the penalty for drifting in Saudi Arabia for a first offence?
The vehicle is impounded for 15 days, a SAR 20,000 fine is imposed, and the driver is referred to court for possible imprisonment.
See traffic violations in Saudi Arabia and our criminal lawyer in Riyadh.
Legal review: the Usus Law Firm team
A select team of lawyers and legal advisers licensed by the Saudi Ministry of Justice, working from Riyadh and Tabuk, with experience before the general, commercial, labor, criminal, personal status and administrative courts. Every article is reviewed before publication and updated when laws or regulations change.
Last reviewed: 28 October 2026
This article is general legal information and is not a substitute for advice on your specific case. Court proceedings in Saudi Arabia are in Arabic; the official Arabic text of each law prevails.
Request a quick consultation
Leave your name and mobile number, and a lawyer from our Riyadh or Tabuk office will call you during working hours. We advise in English.