In the application of the provisions of this Law, the following words and phrases shall have the

meanings assigned thereto, unless the context requires otherwise:

1. GCC: Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf.

2. GCC States: Countries of the GCC.

3. Supreme Council: Supreme Council of the GCC.

4. State: Member state of the GCC.

5. Law: Unified Law of International Land Transport between GCC States.

6. Regulations: Implementing Regulations of this Law.

7. Ministerial Committee: Committee of ministers in charge of transport and communications in the GCC States.

8. Competent Authority: The ministry or agency in charge of implementing the provisions of this Law in the State.

9. Head of Competent Authority: The minister or head of the Competent Authority.

10. International Land Transport: The activity of transporting passengers or goods, or both, on land roads between GCC States for a fee or on a commercial basis.

11. Vehicle: Any vehicle (bus, car, single-unit truck, truck with trailer, or truck with semi-trailer, or any other combination) registered or licensed in any GCC State.

12. State of Registration: The State where the vehicle is registered.

13. Carrier: A natural or legal person licensed by the competent authority to engage in international land transport.

14. Driver: A natural person driving the vehicle.

15. Passenger: A natural person, other than the driver, on board a vehicle pursuant to an agreement with the carrier for the purpose of transport.

16. Goods: Any materials, equipment, commodities, animals, or the like.

17. Operating Card: A document issued by the competent authority whereby the vehicle is licensed to operate in international land transport.

18. Permit: A permit issued by the competent authority whereby an empty vehicle is allowed to enter the state for the purpose of transport from specific points within the state to the state of registration, or to another state.

19. Transport Document: A document issued by a carrier to a natural or legal person, in his capacity as a sender or owner of goods or an authorized representative thereof, under the transport contract concluded between them to transport such goods to a consignee. Such document shall be deemed proof of the carrier’s receipt of the transported goods in the condition indicated therein.

20. Exceptional Load: Indivisible goods and the vehicle, the total weight and/or overall dimensions of which exceed the approved standard specifications.

21. Hazardous Materials: Any solid, liquid, or gaseous substance, whether natural or manufactured, which threatens the environment or any elements thereof, or the health of humans and living organisms due to its toxicity, flammability, explosiveness, or corrosion.

1. This Law aims to regulate international land transport between GCC States and to raise the level of road safety.

2. The provisions of this Law and its Regulations shall apply to international land transport between GCC States.

A vehicle may not engage in international land transport except upon obtaining an operating card. The Regulations shall specify the types of activities and the minimum information to be included in the card.

1. A vehicle may, upon disembarking passengers or unloading goods in a state other than the state of registration, engage in international land transport only from such state to the state of registration upon its return, in accordance with the conditions and controls specified by the Regulations.

2. A vehicle may enter empty into any GCC State other than the state of registration for transit purposes, in accordance with the conditions and controls specified by the Regulations.

3. A vehicle may not enter empty into any GCC State other than the state of registration for the purpose of engaging in international land transport, except upon obtaining a permit from the state from which the transport is to be made, in accordance with the conditions and controls specified by the Regulations.

4. Subject to paragraph (1) of this Article, a vehicle may not engage in international land transport from a state other than the state of registration, except after obtaining a permit from the state from which the transport is to be made, in accordance with the conditions and controls specified by the Regulations

A vehicle not registered in any GCC State may not engage in international land transport to transport to a state other than the state of registration, except upon obtaining the approval of the competent authority in the state from which the transport is to be made. The Regulations shall specify the necessary conditions and controls.

A vehicle may not carry passengers or goods between two points within a state other than the state of registration, except upon the approval of the competent authority and in accordance with the laws applicable in such state.

The Regulations shall specify the conditions and technical specifications to be met by a vehicle to ensure safe transport operations on the road network.

1. It is prohibited to transport goods the importation, expiration, or transit of which is not permitted by the state according to laws applicable in such state.

2. It is prohibited to transport hazardous goods and materials without adhering to the state laws, regulations, and instructions as well as standard specifications approved by the competent authority.

3. It is prohibited to transport weapons, military equipment, explosives, or fireworks as well as materials used in their manufacture from one state to another except upon the approval of the competent authority and in accordance with the laws and instructions applicable in the state where the transport takes place

It is prohibited to transport exceptional load without obtaining the approval of the competent authority in the state to which such load is transported. The Regulations shall specify the necessary conditions and controls.

A carrier shall, upon engaging in international land transport, adhere to the following:

• 1. Keep the operating card inside the vehicle.

• 2. Verify that passengers and drivers carry legal and valid travel documents.

• 3. Issue a list of passenger names upon transporting passengers in accordance with the Regulations, and keep such list inside the vehicle.

• 4. Refrain from transporting any personal luggage or items, regardless of their type inside the vehicle without being accompanied by their owners.

• 5. Tag the personal luggage or items of passengers. The Regulations shall specify the specifications of the tag and the information to be recorded thereon.

• 6. Use an appropriate vehicle for the type of goods carried, and load such goods in a safe manner.

• 7. Issue a transport document in accordance with the procedures and controls specified by the Regulations.

• 8. Comply with the conditions and technical specifications to be met by the vehicle.

• 9. Comply with the total weight, maximum weight on each axle, and the overall dimensions permitted for the vehicle to travel on the road network.

• 10. Comply with any other obligations specified by the Regulations.

If the carrier breaches any of these obligations, the competent authority may prevent the violating vehicle from entering or transiting through its territory in the manner provided by the Regulations.