Have you received an SMS that you’ve incurred a fine in the UAE? Not sure how to pay it? Dubicars is here to help with a guide on “How to pay a traffic fine in the UAE.”
What is a traffic fine/violation?
In the UAE, there are a total of 140 traffic violations which include speeding, illegally parking, texting and driving and so on. Most if not all roads in the UAE are monitored by radars that can not only catch speeding drivers but can also scan number plates to check registration details including expiration dates.
Traffic Police and Police Patrol units can usually be spotted around the city especially during peak rush hours, events etc.
How to check for traffic fines
Besides the obvious text message you receive from Dubai Police stating you have been issued a fine for whatever reason, you can check the Dubai Police website for all fines and black points accrued within a 12-month timeframe. Allow for up to 24 hours for fines to show up.
The Dubai RTA has a handy app you can download on iOS and Android called Drive Dubai. In the app, you can link your traffic file which gives you easy access to fines, vehicles registered in your name more. Via the app, you can pay fines issued in Dubai only, even if your vehicle is registered in another Emirate.
If you’ve been pulled over by the Police, you’ll be handed the fine there and then. You can’t pay the fine on the spot; you will have to use one of the following methods below.
Paying traffic violations
You have three options:
- Any Traffic Police Department, select RTA centres, EPPCO Tasjeel or Shamil centres and Empost/ Post office.
- Online via the respected Police website depending on the Emirate. Credit/debit card is the only available payment methods.
- Select smartphone applications including the RTA Dubai Drive and Dubai Police app.
No matter which method you choose to pay, an AED 20 knowledge/innovation fee will be applied.
Note: If you have a fine in a different Emirate you may not be able to pay it via RTA/Dubai Police services, you may have to go to the Emirate of which the fine was incurred or pay it online via the Emirates respected authority website.
Certain fines come with black points and possible car confiscation for up to 90 days. Of the 140 traffic violations, two do not have a predetermined amount; those two will be determined by the court.
Fines must be paid off before a vehicle is sold.
Occasionally, select Emirates in the UAE offer 50% on select fines. Usually, they are announced before the end of the year.
Clearing black points
It is not possible to remove black points from one’s license in the UAE for 12 months. Once those 12 months are up, the slate is wiped clean.
Be warned; if you incur 24 black points in the UAE over 12 months, you will have your license suspended for one year.
Below is a list of the harshest fines on can expect:
| Traffic Violation | Black Points | Notes |
| Using the vehicle to carry or transport passengers without permission | 24 | Vehicle impounded for 60 days |
| Transporting inflammable or hazardous materials without permission | 24 | Vehicle impounded for 30 days |
| Driving under the influence of narcotics, psychotropic or similar substances | 24 | Vehicle impounded for 60 days |
| Driving dangerously that impacts the safety of others | 23 | Vehicle impounded for 60 days |
| Driving in an unsafe manner that harms the public or private property | 23 | Vehicle impounded for 60 days |
| Driving under the influence of alcohol* | 23 | Vehicle impounded for 60 days |
| Causing the death of others** | 23 | Vehicle impounded for 60 days |
| Causing a serious accident or injuries | 23 | Vehicle impounded for 60 days |
| Exceeding the speed limit by more than 80 km/h | 23 | Vehicle impounded for 60 days |
| Driving a vehicle without plates | 23 | Vehicle impounded for 90 days |
| Exceeding the speed limit by more than 60 km/h | 12 | Vehicle impounded for 30 days |
| Driving a noisy vehicle | 12 | |
| Driving through a red light (light vehicles) | 12 | Vehicle impounded for 30 days |
| Running/driving away from a traffic Police officer | 12 | Vehicle impounded for 30 days |
| Modifying the vehicle’s engine or chassis without permission | 12 | |
| Violating the terms of the driving license (don’t ride a bike if you have a car license and vice versa) | 12 |
*- Driving under the influence of alcohol is zero tolerance in the UAE, and when caught, the consequences can be massive. First of all, a court decides how much the fine will be, a jail sentence may be handed out, and possible deportation is a possibility. DO NOT under any circumstance drink and drive in the UAE.
**- Causing the death of others also results in a large sum of money to be paid out to the victims family also known as Blood Money.
Note: All of the above are as per the Dubai Police, glancing over Police Authorities from other Emirates, fines, black points and vehicle confiscation are identical.
There are other penalties that come with 6,4 and 2 black points.
Image credit: What’s On
