If you are driving a car in the UAE, you must abide by the traffic rules at all times. The UAE law on traffic, Federal Law No. 21 of 1995 sets out the rights and obligations of the drivers, the traffic rules to be followed and other related matters. Violation of the traffic rules by the driver could lead to fines and other penalties, such as confiscation of the vehicle, accumulation of black points on the driving license, and suspension of the license amongst others.

What are the Traffic Fines?

The administrative penalties are imposed on the driver in accordance with the Ministerial Decision No. 178 of 2017 On the Rules and Procedures of Traffic Control, as amended by the Ministerial Decision No. 243 of 2020.

According to the Ministerial Decision on Traffic, driving a vehicle in a way which endangers his life or the life, security and safety of others or which causes damages to public or private facilities results in a fine of AED 2,000 with 23 black points. The vehicle is also liable to be seized for 60 days.

If your driving has caused a serious accident or injuries, the fines will be imposed by the court. However, 23 black points will be imposed and your vehicle will be confiscated for 30 days. If it causes death of a person, then the vehicle will be confiscated for 60 days, with 23 black points and court having the discretion of imposing the amount of fine on the contravening driver.

If the driver is driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs or other psychotropic substances, the amount of fine to be imposed will be at the discretion of the court, with the vehicle liable to be seized for 60 days. Driving under the influence of drugs could also lead to suspension of the license for a period of one year.

Article 5 of the Ministerial Decision on Traffic states that, “Subject to the provisions of the Law on fighting narcotics and psychotropic substances referred to above, any driver who has not been charged with a criminal offense or convicted of an offence of consumption of drugs or psychotropic substances shall be subject to seizure and suspension of his driving licence, for a period of one year from the date of completion of execution of the sentence. The driver’s licence shall not be returned to him unless he presents a medical report from an addiction treatment unit proving his recovery and that his medical condition allows him to drive the vehicle.”

Driving on the wrong side or entering a forbidden place with the vehicle results in a fine of AED 600, 4 black points, and confiscation of the vehicle for 7 days.

Jumping a red light entails a fine of AED 1,000, 12 black points, and confiscation of the vehicle for 30 days.

Black Points

Under the Ministerial Decision on Traffic, the maximum number of black points you can accumulate in a year is 24. If the holder of a probationary license or a new driving license reaches this limit for the first time, then Article 4 of the Ministerial Decision on Traffic states that the license will be seized and suspended for six months, unless he passes a course of rehabilitation of drivers. In the event of recurrence of reaching the cumulative limit by the driver during the trial period, the driver’s license shall be canceled and he may not apply for a test until one year passes from the date of cancellation of the license.

Conclusion

Following traffic rules is crucial, as it ensures the safety of the driver, the other drivers, and the pedestrians. Make sure to abide by the traffic rules so that traffic fines may not be imposed on you!