How to Renew Istimara Online in Saudi Arabia: Step-by-Step Guide 2026

Saudi Arabia: As a car owner in Saudi Arabia, you probably remember renewing your Istimara, that is, your vehicle registration, which used to be a tedious process. It involved a visit to the traffic department, waiting in lines, etc., taking almost half of your day. Speaking of 2026, that is no longer the case. The introduction of the Absher platform changed everything for car owners, for the better. Just like anything else in our lives, digitization has changed the game; today, registering your car can be done through your phone comfortably and remotely. Not just that, but you can finish the entire process within minutes. This also means queuing, hassle, and dealing with people are just history. Just a few taps and you're done.

While it is now the easiest way to register, it is not just logging in and renewing, absolutely not. You need to follow a specific process and meet all the requirements; if you miss any of them, the system will block your access. If that happens, then it involves several issues to fix. But to help you avoid that, we guide you through the entire process, telling you what you need, how much it costs, and how to avoid the mistakes that delay renewals.

What Is Istimara and Why Its Important 

An Istimara is essentially a legal document that proves your vehicle is registered with the authorities. The Istimara provides legal standing to your car and allows driving on Saudi roads. This document contains vital information related to your vehicle, such as vehicle type, plate number, owner details, and expiry date.

As per the law of the land in Saudi Arabia, every vehicle owner needs to renew it every three years. Without a valid Istimara, driving a car is illegal. Authorities, including the police, check for this documentation at checkpoints. If you happen to be carrying one that has expired, a fine of SAR 100 per year is levied. Until the Istimara is registered, you can’t buy insurance or complete any vehicle transactions.

Requirements You Must Meet

Before you start the process, you need to fulfill certain requirements. Please ensure you have checked these requirements before opening Absher. The system will not allow you to proceed any further. 

Valid Fahas Certificate

The first document you need is a valid periodic inspection certificate. Fahas's inspection is mandatory; you cannot renew without it. If your Fahas has expired, book an inspection first, as the system checks its validity automatically.

Insurance

Make sure you have either a third-party or comprehensive insurance policy that is active. If it has expired or is not visible on the Absher record, you need to get it done before you start the renewal process. 

Traffic Fine

Authorities prioritize maintaining a clear record by ensuring the clearance of any pending fines. This is another requirement before you consider starting the renewal process. You should pay the upgrade fee and check for any pending items on your Absher account. 

Payment Ready

The fees are SAR 300, which lasts for all three years; there are no subsequent payments during the registration time. But some cars may face extra fees, which are often subject to the vehicle's mileage or engine capacity. These fees could range from zero to SAR 190 based on how much fuel your car consumes.

Timing Matters

You can start renewal up to 180 days before expiry; it is recommended not to wait until the last week.

Understanding the Renewal Fees

The base fee is straightforward: SAR 300 for three years.  But Saudi Arabia introduced an additional annual fee based on fuel efficiency, which started in phases and now covers most vehicles. For cars produced in 2016 or later, the fee depends on fuel consumption. Efficient cars with 16+ kilometers per liter pay nothing extra. Less efficient vehicles pay between SAR 50 and SAR 190 annually. For cars made in 2015 or earlier, the fee is based on engine capacity. Smaller engines, under 1.9 liters, pay nothing. Larger engines pay up to SAR 190 annually. This amount means your total renewal cost could be SAR 300 for the base fee, plus up to SAR 570 in energy efficiency fees over three years for fuel-inefficient vehicles.

Vehicle Age-Based Fees Breakdown

Vehicle Category	Annual Energy Fee Range (SAR)	Criteria
Models after 2016 with 16+ km/l mileage	0	Fuel consumption
Models after 2016 with a mileage range of 10-15.99 km/l	50-130	Fuel consumption
Models after 2016 are less than 10 km/l mielage	190	Fuel consumption
Before 2016, the model engine under 1.9L	0	Engine capacity
Before the 2016 models, a 1.91-3.2L engine	50-85	Engine capacity
Pre-2016 models over 3.2L engine	130-190	Engine capacity

Step-by-Step Guide: For Renewing Istimara Through Absher

Step 1: Log in to Absher.

You can do it through their app. Log in using your Iqama number and password.

Step 2: Vehicle Services

Tap on My Vehicles or Services from the bottom menu. Select Muroor, which handles traffic-related services. Under Muroor, tap Vehicle Services.

Step 3: Vehicle Type

Determine the car you want to renew, and carefully verify all the key information visible in the record, especially the plate number, model, and expiry date. Ensure all the data is correct; this is vital. 

Step 4: Renewal

The system can verify the vehicle's eligibility, such as the Fahas certificate validity, insurance, outstanding fines, and renewal timing. If anything is missing, you will not be able to proceed further due to an error message that shows what is wrong and needs to be fixed. 

Step 5: Confirm 

Before you confirm, the system will display all the vehicle information, including total fees. This comprises the base renewal fee along with energy efficiency charges. Check this box before you go ahead. 

Step 6: Payment

It is possible to pay directly via Absher if your bank account is linked; if not, the system generates a bill number. You can pay through any preferred method from your bank or government payment gateway. 

Step 7: Address 

After payment, Absher will ask you about the delivery address. You must provide the full location, where the Istimara copy will be sent, including the region, city, district name in Arabic, and complete address details. You are allowed to choose the delivery either through SMSA, Saudi Post, or other couriers. 

Step 8: Collection 

The physical copy takes about 2-7 days to reach your address, which is always subject to the location. However, you will receive SMS updates about your shipment. During this time, you are free to drive legally. 

Common Problems and Solutions

Fahas Certificate Invalid: This is a common problem. Please schedule a Fahas appointment at your earliest convenience. Once you complete your inspection successfully, the system will need a few hours to update.

Insurance: If the insurance is not visible, wait 24 hours after buying it before attempting renewal. It is necessary to ensure that it is reflected in the system. 

Renewal Unsuccessful: At times, your payment goes through successfully, but the renewal fails for some reason. In such instances, it is better to contact Absher support through the app. After verifying your payment, they will complete the renewal manually. Keep your payment receipt.

District Name Rejected: The delivery form requires district names in Arabic. Use Absher's location suggestions when typing rather than manually entering it.

What Happens After Renewal

Once complete, your Absher app shows the updated Istimara details. The digital version is considered legal immediately. You can view and download the certificate in PDF format through the app. The physical card arrives by courier within a week. Keep it in your vehicle. Your new Istimara remains valid for three years from the renewal date.

Fines for Late Renewal

You have a 60-day grace period after expiry. After the 60-day grace period, fines of SAR 100 per year will be applied for each year the renewal is delayed. Let your Istimara expire for three years, and you're looking at SAR 300 in fines on top of the renewal fee. That's SAR 600 in total.

Remember that driving when your registration has expired means you are violating the law. And if you get caught, there is a high chance of extra fines and the possibility of vehicle impoundment.

Renewal Hacks 

First Pay Fees: To ensure the registration process goes smoothly, consider paying the renewal fees of SAR 300 in advance, even before the process starts. 

Start Early: It is smart not to wait until the last moment. Just in case you encounter any issues, you have time in hand to address them without delaying the process.

Address: Make sure your documents reflect the updated address where you are currently living.

Early Hours Work Better: Absher works anytime, but system performance is better during off-peak hours. Try renewing early in the morning when server load is lower.

Renewal Timeline Planning

Time Before Expiry	Action Required
6 months	Get your list of  requirements
3 months	Confirm Fahas validity
2 months	Check insurance
1 month	Clear any outstanding fines
2 weeks	Make sure Absher renewal
60 days past expiry	Fines begin at SAR 100/year

Conclusion

Renewing Istimara online through Absher is the easiest thing that has happened for car owners. It is now a matter of minutes if you are well prepared. You must get everything checked well in advance. Often, the most common error occurs because people do not pay enough attention. Car owners take the preparation lightly and end up discovering missing requirements mid-process. It is always in your interest to start the renewal process early and keep all the documents and account access. The renewal is a legal requirement, something unavoidable; delaying it won’t serve any purpose. It is sensible to get it done in a timely manner for trouble-free driving. 

Related Article: Understanding Fahas in KSA: What Causes Inspection Failures & How to Pass