How to avoid getting your car impounded in Dubai
It’s imperative that drivers follow road rules, yet there’s a sizeable driving population who are unaware of them, paying huge fines every year.
Emirates 24|7 lists the traffic offences that can get your car impounded.
Motorists can have their vehicle impounded if they break any one of the 33 traffic rules.
In an earlier interview with Emirates24|7, Colonel Jamal Mohammed Al Bannai, Acting Director of Dubai Traffic Police, highlighted the new rules that came into effect in 2015.
“If you have pending traffic fines of more than Dh6,000, your car can be impounded. It doesn’t matter if your car registration has expired, or not.”
He added, that one person can have two-three cars under one traffic file.
Also, “if your car registration has expired and not renewed after three months, Dubai Police can directly impound your car. So, don’t put yourself in this situation.
“As a good driver, I should register my car before the one-month grace period. You should pay the fine, or finish the repair work your car needs, there’s enough time.”
He also highlighted how racing on the roads can be dangerous, and can lead to your car being impounded.
Even riding a desert bike on the road will incur a fine of Dh50,000, and the bike will be impounded.
Traffic violations
Driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs or similar substances - fine is decided by the court + 24 black points + impounded for 60 days
Driving a vehicle without number plates - Dh1,000 + 24 black points + impounded for 60 days
Dangerous overtaking by trucks - Dh800 fine + 24 black points + impounded for 60 days
Not stopping after causing an accident that resulted in injuries - fine decided by court + 24 black points + impounded for 60 days
Driving dangerously (racing) - Dh2,000 fine + 12 black points + impounded for 30 days
Causing death of others - Fine decided by court + 12 black points + impounded for 30 days
Running away from a traffic policeman - Dh800 fine + 12 black points + impounded for 30 days
Reckless driving - Dh2,000 + 12 black points + impounded for 30 days
Driving causing danger to others - Dh1,000 + 12 black points + impounded for 30 days
Driving a heavy vehicle that does not comply with safety and security conditions - Dh500 fine + impounded for 30 days
Driving a noisy vehicle - Dh500 fine + impounded for 30 days
Exceeding permitted level of car window tinting - Dh500 + impounded for 30 days
Exceeding maximum speed limit by more than 60km/h - Dh1,000 + 12 black points + impounded for 30 days
Falling or leaking load - Dh3,000 fine + 12 black points + impounded for 30 days
Jumping a red light - Dh800 fine + 8 black points + impounded for 15 days
Not covering loads of trucks - Dh3000 + impounded for 7 days
Loading a heavy vehicle in a way that may pose danger to others or to the road - Dh500 fine + 6 black points + impounded for 7 days
Overload or protruding load from a heavy vehicle without permission - Dh500 fine + 6 black points + impounded for 7 days
Overload or protruding load from a light vehicle without permission - Dh200 fine + 5 black points + impounded for 7 days
Heavy vehicle prohibited entry - Dh200 + 4 black points + impounded for 7 days
Failure to stop after causing an accident - Dh500 fine + 6 black points + impounded for 7 days
Driving a light vehicle that does not comply with safety and security conditions - Dh200 + impounded for 7 days
Operating industrial, construction and mechanical vehicle and tractors without permission from licensing authority - Dh500 fine + impounded for 7 days
Driving unlicensed vehicle - Dh200 + impounded for 7 days
Carrying and transporting passengers illegally - Dh200 fine + 4 black points + impounded for 7 days
Loading a light vehicle in a way that may pose danger to others or to the road - Dh200 + 3 black points + impounded for 7 days
Vehicle unit for driving - Dh200 + impounded for 7 days
Not lifting exhaust of trucks - Dh200 + impounded for 7 days
Violating loading or unloading regulations in parking - Dh200 + impounded for 7 days
Driving with tyres in poor condition - Dh200 + impounded for 7 days
Failure to have vehicle examined after carrying out major modifications to engine or body - Dh200 + impounded for 7 days
Using vehicles for purposes other than designated - Dh200 + 4 black points + impounded for 7 days