These violations ranged from driver’s failure to wear TGA accredited uniform while on duty, delivery apps contracting with unauthorized carriers, failure of delivery vehicle or driver to meet related requirements or the lack of tools necessary to ensure the safety of the goods transported.

Earlier this week, the TGA announced it would stop issuing licenses for motorcycle delivery services operating via mobile apps, pending the publication of new regulations.

The move marks the end of a trial phase in which businesses were granted temporary licenses to meet increased demand, according to a TGA official.

In April, rules governing delivery services in the kingdom came into force, partly limiting this work to Saudis.

The first phase of these regulations required non-Saudis to limit their work in the sector to licensed applications and to wear a work uniform.

The rules were intended to regulate the booming delivery industry. They made it mandatory for non-Saudis to carry out the work only through light transport companies, gradually within 14 months.

Self-employment is, however, permitted for Saudi nationals to motivate them to work in this sector, with the aim of creating more jobs for them.

These regulations also required delivery companies to enable a facial verification feature for their drivers through a system linked directly to TGA.

The rules further permit the use of light transport vehicles for advertising in coordination with the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing.

“The delivery sector is one of the important sectors in the kingdom. Regulating and increasing its efficiency are among our main objectives,” said TGA spokesperson Saleh Al Zuwayed.

37 approved companies operate in the delivery sector in the kingdom.

More than 200 million delivery operations were carried out last year, according to the official.