Regulations & compliance
The operating card: requirements and the role of tracking devices
The operating card is a regulatory document issued by the competent authority according to the transport activity and its requirements. This page explains where vehicle tracking fits into the technical requirements of activities that mandate platform linkage or approved equipment, and how to check your vehicle qualifies before applying through official channels.
Solid Tracking provides tracking solutions and technical integration subject to service availability and the requirements of your activity; cards are issued and renewed through the competent government channels. We do not issue operating cards, we do not offer "instant issuance", and we do not guarantee the outcome of any official application. The information on this page was read from the published regulation texts listed at the bottom, and regulations are amended from time to time — check the version in force before relying on it.
Last reviewed: 16 October 2026What is an operating card?
The operating card is a document that transport activity regulations require for each vehicle used in the activity, before it is operated. It is not one document with one set of conditions for every vehicle: the conditions, validity and responsible body differ by transport activity (goods transport, light goods transport, motorcycle goods transport, passenger transport, and so on) and by vehicle class.
That is why the first question we ask a customer is not "which device do you want?" but "what transport activity are you registered for, and what class is the vehicle?". The answers to those two questions determine the technical requirements a tracking device may sit within.
Documented examples from published regulations
These rows were read from the regulation texts linked in the references below, and do not cover every activity. Heavy goods transport is governed by its own regulation, which we have not included because we did not verify the text in force.
| Activity | Operating card | Vehicle operating age | Linkage & technical equipment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light goods road transport (up to 3,500 kg) | Required for each vehicle, valid one year, with third-party insurance, periodic technical inspection, and the vehicle owned by the licensee or under a financing lease | Not more than 10 years from year of manufacture | Among the establishment licensing conditions: "linkage to the Authority's electronic platform". The regulation text does not name a GPS device specifically |
| Commercial goods transport by motorcycle | Required for each bike before operating, valid up to one year, conditional on platform linkage, valid registration, direct ownership and a technical inspection certificate | Not more than 4 years from the model year | The licensee must install approved technical equipment, keep the platform link active, and continue supplying the Authority with the required data |
Note: under the regulation text, commercial goods transport by motorcycle is restricted to establishments and may not be carried out by individuals.
Official issuance versus what we provide
This distinction is the most important thing on the page, and we would rather be blunt about it than win a customer on a misunderstanding.
- The competent authority receives the application, verifies the conditions, issues or refuses the card, and renews or cancels it. Applications go through its official channels.
- Solid Tracking supplies the tracking device, installs it, provides the monitoring platform and technical support, and helps you check device compatibility against the technical requirements you tell us about.
- Where integration with a government platform is required for your activity, we confirm it to you after verifying the device model, the establishment's eligibility and the integration requirements in force — never before. See the WASL integration page.
- We do not ask for official documents at first contact, and we do not hold copies of your documents in order to file an application on your behalf.
Pre-application checklist
Review these points with the competent authority and your accountant. We help directly only with the items that concern the equipment.
- The transport activity on the establishment's commercial register, and whether it covers the activity you intend to operate
- The vehicle class and gross weight, since the applicable regulation depends on it
- The vehicle's operating age against the limit set in the regulation for your activity
- Vehicle ownership by the establishment, or a financing lease with the establishment as actual user
- Valid third-party liability insurance from an insurer approved in the Kingdom
- A periodic technical inspection certificate from an approved centre
- Linkage to the Authority's electronic platform, where that is a licensing condition for your activity
- The type of approved technical equipment your activity requires — this is where we help with matching, installation and testing
This checklist is indicative and based on the regulations cited in the references; it does not replace the competent authority's requirements for your case.
How we help with the technical part
Identify activity and vehicle
You tell us the transport activity, vehicle class, count and city. If your activity requires linkage or approved equipment, we say so before quoting.
Match the device
We shortlist a device model suited to the vehicle's electrical system and duty cycle, and state what data that model does and does not support.
Install and test
Field installation, then testing of location, connectivity and platform visibility, with a handover report listing device serial numbers.
Ongoing follow-up
We monitor device and subscription health and deal with transmission gaps. Any commitment involving a government platform link is written into the quote after verification.
Frequently asked questions
Does installing a tracker guarantee the operating card will be issued?
Who issues the operating card?
Does a delivery motorcycle need an operating card?
I run heavy trucks — do the conditions in the table apply to me?
Will you file the application for me?
What do you need from me for an accurate quote?
Official references
We reviewed these sources on 16 October 2026. Regulations are amended, so check the version in force when you apply.
- Transport General Authority — official siteThe body responsible for regulating transport activities and issuing licences and cards.
- Regulation governing light goods road transport — Umm Al-QuraPublished 20/12/1442 AH. Article 13 requires an operating card for each vehicle; Article 4 lists linkage to the Authority's electronic platform.
- Implementing regulation for commercial goods transport by motorcycle — Umm Al-QuraPublished 24/2/1448 AH. Requires an operating card per bike, restricts the activity to establishments, and mandates platform linkage and approved technical equipment.
Related pages
Need a tracking device for your activity? Tell us the vehicle and the activity
We reply with what we can actually deliver, and make clear what has to go through the competent authority. No official documents at first contact.
- Phone & WhatsApp +966 54 204 3869
- Email sales@solid-tracking.com
- Business hours Saturday – Thursday, 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Coverage Installation and field service in Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam, with installation arranged in other cities depending on the request and fleet size.