Are dash cams legal in Saudi Arabia? Many drivers and fleet owners ask this now that car cameras are common among taxi and delivery drivers and transport companies. This guide explains what the published regulations say, the rules for mounting and audio recording, when publishing dash cam footage becomes an offence, whether recordings are accepted as evidence, and what companies need to consider when they fit cameras to their vehicles.
Disclaimer: This article is for general awareness and is not legal advice. Regulations and instructions can change, so confirm current requirements with the General Directorate of Traffic and the relevant authorities, or consult a lawyer when needed.
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Are Dash Cams Legal in Saudi Arabia? The Short Answer
We found no provision in the officially published regulations that bans fitting a dash cam to a vehicle. Dash cams are widely used in private cars, taxis, delivery vehicles and fleets, and insurers use their footage to speed up claims. But use comes with conditions: the camera must not block the driver’s view, the purpose should be documentation and safety, and footage must not be published in a way that invades other people’s privacy. Companies also have extra obligations to protect their drivers’ data.
Some traffic safety specialists say use requires a permit from the traffic authorities, so we recommend confirming this with the traffic department before installation, especially for commercial vehicles.
Dash Cam Law in Saudi Arabia: Which Regulations Apply?
There is no published dash cam law in Saudi Arabia specific to private car cameras yet, but three laws relate to how they are used and what you do with the recordings:
- The Law of the Use of Security Surveillance Cameras: defines the entities and locations required to install cameras, including public transportation means. It prohibits transferring or publishing recordings except with the approval of the Ministry of Interior or the State Security Presidency, a court order, or a request from the competent investigating authority.
- The Anti-Cyber Crime Law: criminalizes invading privacy through the misuse of camera-equipped devices, and defaming or harming others through information technology, with penalties of imprisonment and fines.
- The Personal Data Protection Law (PDPL): overseen by the Saudi Data and AI Authority (SDAIA), it applies to organizations that collect and process personal data, including the driver images and voices recorded by fleet cameras.
How to Mount a Dash Cam Safely
- Keep the view clear: mount the camera behind the rear-view mirror or at the top of the windshield, out of the driver’s line of sight.
- Fix it firmly: use a secure mount that will not fall under braking, and route cables away from airbags and the steering wheel.
- Do not use it while driving: set it up before you move, and never review footage while the vehicle is in motion.
- Use professional installation for commercial vehicles: especially when the camera is wired to vehicle power or connected to tracking systems.
Audio Recording and In-Cab Cameras
Dash cam privacy matters most inside the vehicle. A forward-facing camera that records the public road is less sensitive than an in-cab camera that records the driver and passengers and their conversations. Turning off audio recording in private cars is advisable unless there is a clear need, and taxi and delivery drivers should let passengers know a camera is present. In fleets, in-cab cameras should be covered by a clear policy that drivers have read, as explained in the company section below.
Publishing Dash Cam Footage: When Does It Become an Offence?
The bigger risk is not recording but publishing. Posting dash cam footage on social media that shows people’s faces, their number plates or injured accident victims may be treated as an invasion of privacy or defamation under the Anti-Cyber Crime Law. The practical rule:
- Keep the clip and give it to the competent authority or your insurer; do not publish it.
- Never film or publish images of people injured in accidents.
- If you witness a traffic violation, report it through official channels instead of posting it.
Is Dash Cam Footage Accepted as Evidence?
Dash cam footage helps clarify what happened when the parties to an accident disagree, and insurance officials say it speeds up claims and reduces disputes. You can submit it to the competent authorities or your insurer, and whether it is accepted, and how much weight it carries, is for the body reviewing the incident to decide. To keep your recording useful:
- Make sure the date and time on the camera are correct.
- Save a copy of the clip right after the accident, before the camera records over it.
- Do not edit or trim the clip; submit it as recorded.
Fleet Dash Cam Compliance: Protecting Driver Data
When a company fits cameras to its vehicles, it collects personal data about its drivers, such as their images, voices and locations. It therefore needs a written policy in line with the PDPL that covers:
- A clear purpose: safety, accident documentation and protecting the driver and vehicle, with no use of recordings for other purposes.
- Driver notice: written notice of the cameras, what they record and how recordings are used, plus a sticker inside the vehicle.
- Data minimization: enable the in-cab camera and audio only where needed, and rely on event alerts rather than constant monitoring.
- Limited access: define who may view and download recordings, with a log of every access.
- A set retention period: delete routine recordings automatically after a reasonable period, and keep incident clips until proceedings are complete.
- Security: encrypt devices and the platform, and never share clips outside the company except with the competent authorities.
Fleet video platforms provide tools for this, such as permissions, viewing logs and automatic deletion. Learn more about video telematics and driver safety, or read our Howen dashcam review to compare fleet camera models.
Checklist Before You Fit a Dash Cam
Use this checklist to answer “are dash cams legal in Saudi Arabia” for your own vehicle and to stay within the rules:
- You have confirmed current traffic requirements for your vehicle type.
- The camera does not block the view and is firmly mounted.
- Date and time are correct, and audio recording is set to what you actually need.
- You know how to save an accident clip, and you will not publish footage.
- For companies: a written policy, driver notice, access controls and a set retention period.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it legal to have a dash cam in Saudi Arabia?
We found nothing in the officially published regulations that bans installing one, and dash cams are widely used for documentation and insurance, provided the camera does not block the view and recordings are not used to invade others’ privacy. Confirm current traffic requirements before installation.
Is posting dash cam videos illegal in Saudi Arabia?
It can be, if the clip shows people or injured victims, invades someone’s privacy or defames them, as the Anti-Cyber Crime Law penalizes this. Give the footage to the competent authority instead of posting it.
Is dash cam footage accepted as evidence in accidents?
It can be submitted to the competent authorities and insurers and helps establish responsibility, but acceptance is for the body reviewing the incident to decide.
Can I record audio inside my car?
Audio is more sensitive because it captures passengers’ conversations. It is best turned off in private cars, passengers should be told in taxis and delivery vehicles, and in fleets it should be covered by a written policy that drivers know.
Do companies have to tell drivers about fleet cameras?
Yes. Good practice in line with the PDPL is to give drivers written notice of the cameras, what they record, why recordings are used and how long they are kept.
Are cameras mandatory in public transport?
The Law of the Use of Security Surveillance Cameras lists public transportation means among the locations it covers. If your company operates public transport, check the detailed requirements in the implementing regulations and with the competent authorities.
How Afaq Can Help
We supply smart fleet dash cams with professional installation that keeps the driver’s view clear, on a platform with viewing permissions, automatic deletion and event alerts, and we help you configure settings that respect driver privacy. See Howen Hero fleet dashcams or request a quote.
