Car Sharing in Riyadh by Udrive KSA

Udrive KSA is one of the most established operators offering car sharing in Riyadh, providing a modern, app-based alternative to traditional car rentals and taxis. The company operates across the Gulf region—including the UAE and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia — and continues expanding into new markets. In Riyadh, Udrive introduced a convenient free-floating model, where users can pick up a car anywhere within the service zone and return it in another approved location without visiting an office or rental counter.

Where Udrive KSA Operates

Udrive is fully active in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, with an operational area that covers many of the city’s most important districts. The free-floating model is central to how car sharing in Riyadh works: the app displays all available cars and all zones where drop-off is permitted.

The service area includes:

• the Central Business District
• Olaya
• Al Malaz
• King Fahd Road corridor
• the Diplomatic Quarter
• university districts
• commercial and residential neighborhoods

Udrive also supports airport parking zones, allowing users to start or end trips at King Khalid International Airport, although additional fees may apply. The mobile app clearly shows both allowed and restricted zones, helping users avoid fines and parking violations—which is especially important in Riyadh’s regulated parking environment.

Available Cars in Riyadh

The Udrive fleet in Riyadh focuses on economical and mid-range gasoline vehicles, which remain the most practical option for everyday mobility in the region due to low fuel prices and high reliability.

Common vehicles include:

• Kia Picanto
• Nissan Sunny
• Hyundai Accent
• MG 360 or similar models

All vehicles come with:

• automatic transmission
• air conditioning (critical in Riyadh’s climate)
• full insurance coverage
• keyless entry via the Udrive mobile app

Currently, electric vehicles are not part of Udrive’s Saudi Arabian fleet, mainly because large-scale public charging infrastructure is still in an early stage of development.

Pricing and Example Trips

One of the biggest advantages of Udrive is the ability to rent a car by the minute in Riyadh KSA, which is ideal for short errands and flexible urban travel.

Typical pricing:

• 0.60 SAR per minute (~$0.16)
• 130 SAR per day (~$35) with 200 km included

Udrive uses dynamic pricing, meaning rates may adjust during peak hours or in high-demand areas of Riyadh.

Example: 30-minute trip, 10 km

• 30 minutes × 0.60 SAR = 18 SAR (~$4.80)

For a full day:

• 130 SAR (~$35)
• 200 km included
• Extra mileage costs around 0.80 SAR/km

Because dynamic pricing is active, exact costs should always be checked inside the app before starting a trip.

Eligibility: Who Can Rent

To use car sharing in Riyadh through Udrive, users must meet the following requirements:

• 21 years old or older
• Minimum 1 year of driving experience

Documentation requirements:

• Saudi residents: national driver’s license + national ID
• Tourists: International Driving Permit (IDP) recognized by Saudi authorities

Account verification usually takes between 10 minutes and 4 hours, depending on document quality and verification queue. Udrive may request a selfie verification step as an additional security measure.

How the Rental Process Works

Udrive is fully digital, offering one of the simplest ways to rent a car by the minute in Riyadh without visiting a rental desk:

1. Download the Udrive app and complete verification
2. Choose a nearby vehicle on the map
3. Tap Open in the app to unlock the car and begin your trip

The system does not use physical keys. The interior includes a fuel card that allows free refueling at partner gas stations.

Fuel and Refueling

Fuel is already included in the rental price.

Users can refuel the car using the fuel card stored inside the vehicle. If the vehicle is returned with a low fuel level, Udrive may apply a fuel surcharge (typically 50–80 SAR).
From time to time, the service offers small bonuses or discounts for returning the car with a full tank.

Parking and Ending a Trip

Parking rules in Riyadh are strictly enforced, making it important to follow the app’s guidance when ending a trip.

You may end your rental only inside designated parking zones, which include:

• on-street public parking
• areas approved by Udrive
• specific airport parking locations

If a user leaves the vehicle outside an authorized zone, the system may charge a penalty of 50–200 SAR, and municipal towing fees may apply if the car is moved by authorities.

Parking is prohibited in:

• yellow-marked curbs
• private or gated communities
• mall parking without permission
• paid parking areas if you have not paid

These rules are common for car sharing in Riyadh, where urban planning and enforcement have become more structured under the Vision 2030 program.

Insurance and Penalties

Every trip includes full comprehensive insurance, providing broad coverage for most incidents.
However, renters must follow mandatory procedures in case of an accident:

• call the Traffic Police or Najm
• obtain an official accident report
• upload all required documentation through the Udrive app

If the report is missing or incomplete, the renter may be held responsible for the damage.

Other possible fees:

• smoking inside the car — 150–200 SAR
• losing the fuel card — ~100 SAR
• excessive cleaning or interior damage — ~150 SAR
• unreported exterior damage or prohibited parking violations

App Store and Google Play Performance

According to mobile analytics platforms, the Udrive app maintains very strong overall performance:

Data as of July 2025.

Market Context: Car Sharing in KSA

Car sharing is steadily gaining popularity in Saudi Arabia as part of the country’s large-scale Vision 2030 transformation. The initiative encourages more sustainable, flexible, and technology-driven transportation options in major cities like Riyadh.

Key elements driving growth in this sector include:

• expansion of digital mobility services
• dense urban development
• low fuel prices
• increasing number of tourists and business visitors
• growing acceptance of app-based transportation

Competition in the car-sharing market remains low, making Udrive one of the core players shaping the early stage of the industry in Riyadh.

Conclusion

Udrive stands out as a reliable and user-friendly solution for car sharing in KSA, combining a fully digital rental process with transparent pricing, fuel included, and a flexible free-floating model. For both residents and visitors, the ability to rent a car by the minute in Riyadh offers unmatched convenience for short trips, errands, airport transfers, and city exploration.

Advantages include:

• simple and fast verification
• fuel and insurance included in every trip
• strong app ratings
• a fleet of practical, easy-to-drive vehicles
• flexible pickup and drop-off zones

The main points renters should keep in mind are parking restrictions and fuel levels, as ignoring them can lead to additional fees.