Driving in the UAE: Full list of 141 traffic violations you should avoid

Dubai: The UAE’s road infrastructure is among the best in the world, ranked fifth globally by the World Economic Forum’s Travel and Tourism Development Index 2024.

With a world-class road infrastructure and clearly laid out rules and regulations for their use, the UAE has put in place strict rules to ensure road safety for all users. Whether you are driving to work, commuting between different emirates or taking a long road trip, complying with traffic regulations is essential to avoid fines, black points, vehicle impoundment or even a suspension of your driving licence, in case of serious violations.

The UAE Ministerial Resolution No. 178 of 2017 on the Rules and Procedures of Traffic Control sets out the penalties drivers face, if they are found violating road rules, like speeding, using the mobile phone while driving or driving in the wrong direction.

Here is the complete list of 141 traffic violations and their penalties:

1. Driving a vehicle below the minimum speed limit set for the road, if any

Fine: AED 400

2. Exceeding the maximum speed limit by more than 80 km/hour

Fine: AED 3,000 | Black Points: 23 | Vehicle Impound: 60 days for light vehicles

3. Exceeding the maximum speed limit by more than 60 km/hour

Fine: AED 2,000 | Black Points: 12 | Vehicle Impound: 30 days for light vehicles

4. Exceeding the maximum speed limit by no more than 60 km/hour

Fine: AED 1,500 | Black Points: 6 | Vehicle Impound: 15 days for light vehicles

5. Exceeding the maximum speed limit by no more than 50 km/hour

Fine: AED 1,000

6. Exceeding the maximum speed limit by no more than 40 km/hour

Fine: AED 700

7. Exceeding the maximum speed limit by no more than 30 km/hour

Fine: AED 600

8. Exceeding the maximum speed limit by no more than 20 km/hour

Fine: AED 300

9. Driving a vehicle without plates

Fine: AED 3,000 | Black Points: 23 | Vehicle Impound: 90 days

10. Driving a vehicle with one single plate

Fine: AED 400

11. Un-clarity of the vehicle plate

Fine: AED 400

12. Violating the rules of using the commercial plate numbers

Fine: AED 500 | Vehicle Impound: 7 days

13. Driving a vehicle in a way that jeopardises the driver or others' lives or their safety or security

Fine: AED 2,000 | Black Points: 23 | Vehicle Impound: 60 days

14. Driving a vehicle in a way that may cause damage to public or private facilities

Fine: AED 2,000 | Black Points: 23 | Vehicle Impound: 60 days

15. Driving under the influence of alcohol

Fine: Decided by court | Black Points: 23 | Vehicle Impound: 60 days

16. Driving under the influence of drugs or brain-affecting substances or any other similar items

Fine: Decided by court | Vehicle Impound: 60 days | Licence suspended for one year from the date of punishment completion

17. Driving a heavy vehicle in a way that jeopardises lives or safety or security

Fine: AED 3,000 | Licence to be suspended for one year from the day of licence withdrawal

18. Driving a heavy vehicle in a way that causes damage to public or private facilities

Fine: AED 3,000 | Licence to be suspended for one year from the day of licence withdrawal

19. Heavy vehicle crossing a red light

Fine: AED 3,000 | Licence to be suspended for one year from the day of licence withdrawal

20. Heavy vehicle driver causing an accident resulting in vehicle overturning

Fine: AED 3,000 | Licence to be suspended for one year from the day of licence withdrawal

21. Driving against the traffic direction

Fine: AED 600 | Black Points: 4 | Vehicle Impound: 7 days

22. Entering the vehicle into a prohibited area

Fine: AED 1,000 | Black Points: 8 | Vehicle Impound: 7 days

23. Sudden deviation of the vehicle

Fine: AED 1,000 | Black Points: 4

24. Reversing in a dangerous way

Fine: AED 500 | Black Points: 4

25. Crossing a red light (light vehicle)

Fine: AED 1,000 | Black Points: 12 | Vehicle Impound: 30 days

26. Crossing a red light (motorcycle)

Fine: AED 1,000 | Black Points: 12 | Vehicle Impound: 30 days

27. Entering a road in a dangerous way

Fine: AED 600 | Black Points: 6

28. Causing someone's death

Fine: Decided by court | Black Points: 23 | Vehicle Impound: 60 days

29. Causing a serious accident or injuries

Fine: Decided by court | Black Points: 23 | Vehicle Impound: 30 days

30. Failing to stop after causing a minor accident (light vehicle)

Fine: AED 500 | Black Points: 8 | Vehicle Impound: 7 days

31. Failing to stop after causing a minor accident (heavy vehicle)

Fine: AED 1,000 | Black Points: 16 | Vehicle Impound: 7 days

32. Failure to leave a safe distance from the vehicle ahead

Fine: AED 400 | Black Points: 4

33. Entering the road without ensuring a clear way

Fine: AED 400 | Black Points: 4

34. Non-compliance with traffic signs and directions

Fine: AED 500

35. Putting signs on the road that may damage it or obstruct traffic

Fine: AED 500

36. Rubbernecking at the scene of a traffic accident

Fine: AED 1,000

37. Failure to take necessary road safety measures after vehicle breakdown

Fine: AED 500

38. Motorcycle rider not wearing a helmet

Fine: AED 500 | Black Points: 4

39. Motorcycle passenger not wearing a helmet

Fine: AED 500

40. Failure to use indicator when changing direction or turning

Fine: AED 400

41. Non-compliance with compulsory lane for light vehicles

Fine: AED 400

42. Using a leisure bike with three or more wheels on the road

Fine: AED 3,000 | Vehicle Impound: 90 days

43. Causing disturbance to traffic in a manner not otherwise specified in the schedule

Fine: AED 500

44. Making a U-turn from an undesignated area

Fine: AED 500 | Black Points: 4

45. Making a wrong turn with a vehicle

Fine: AED 500 | Black Points: 4

46. Driving at night without lights

Fine: AED 500 | Black Points: 4

47. Driving in fog without lights

Fine: AED 500 | Black Points: 4

48. Driving in fog in violation of authority instructions

Fine: AED 500 | Black Points: 4

49. Heavy vehicle not complying with compulsory lane rules

Fine: AED 1,500 | Black Points: 12

50. Heavy vehicle overtaking or entering prohibited roads or areas

Fine: AED 1,000 | Black Points: 4

51. Not placing reflective stickers on the rear of trucks and transport vehicles

Fine: AED 500

52. Not lifting the exhaust pipe of trucks

Fine: AED 1,500

53. Driving a heavy vehicle that does not comply with safety and security measures

Fine: AED 2,000 | Black Points: 6

54. Not following the instructions of a traffic policeman

Fine: AED 400 | Black Points: 4

55. Running away from a traffic policeman (light vehicle)

Fine: AED 800 | Black Points: 12 | Vehicle Impound: 30 days

56. Running away from a traffic policeman (heavy vehicle)

Fine: AED 1,000 | Black Points: 16 | Vehicle Impound: 30 days

57. Driving with a driving licence issued by a foreign country except in permitted cases

Fine: AED 400

58. Driving a vehicle with a driving licence other than the granted one

Fine: AED 400 | Black Points: 12

59. Driving a vehicle with an expired driving licence

Fine: AED 500 | Black Points: 4 | Vehicle Impound: 7 days

60. Driving a vehicle with an expired registration

Fine: AED 500 | Black Points: 4 | Vehicle Impound: 7 days if registration expired more than 3 months

61. Not carrying the vehicle registration card

Fine: AED 400

62. Not carrying the driving licence

Fine: AED 400

63. Failure to hand over a driving licence when maximum black points are accrued - first violation

Fine: AED 1,000

64. Failure to hand over a driving licence when maximum black points are accrued - second violation

Fine: AED 2,000

65. Failure to hand over a driving licence when maximum black points are accrued in the third violation

Fine: AED 3,000

66. Overtaking from a prohibited place by truck drivers

Fine: AED 3,000 | Suspension of the driving licence for one year from the date of withdrawal

67. Wrong overtaking

Fine: AED 600 | Black Points: 6

68. Overtaking from the road shoulder

Fine: AED 1,000 | Black Points: 6

69. Overtaking from a prohibited place

Fine: AED 600

70. Parking in front of fire hydrant locations

Fine: AED 1,000 | Black Points: 6

71. Parking in spaces allocated for People of Determination

Fine: AED 1,000 | Black Points: 6

72. Stopping in the middle of the road without a justified reason

Fine: AED 1,000 | Black Points: 6

73. Stopping in a yellow box junction

Fine: AED 500

74. Stopping the vehicle in prohibited areas on the left shoulder of public roads

Fine: AED 1,000

75. Stopping the vehicle on pedestrian crossings

Fine: AED 500

76. Parking behind vehicles and blocking their movement (double parking)

Fine: AED 500

77. Stopping in undesignated places by taxis that have designated pick-up areas

Fine: AED 500 | Black Points: 4

78. Stopping the vehicle without maintaining the legally required distance from a curve, junction or turn

Fine: AED 500

79. Parking without securing the vehicle

Fine: AED 500

80. Improper parking

Fine: AED 500

81. Stopping a vehicle in a way that exposes pedestrians to danger

Fine: AED 400

82. Stopping a vehicle in a way that blocks pedestrian movement

Fine: AED 400

83. Parking vehicles on pavements

Fine: AED 400

84. Operating industrial, construction and mechanical vehicles and tractors without permission from the competent authority

Fine: AED 1,500

85. Driving a vehicle without insurance

Fine: AED 500 | Black Points: 4 | Vehicle Impound: 7 days

86. Driving an unlicensed vehicle from the traffic department

Fine: AED 500 | Black Points: 4 | Vehicle Impound: 7 days

87. Using vehicles for purposes other than their designated purpose

Fine: AED 300 | Black Points: 4

88. Using a vehicle to carry or transport passengers without permission

Fine: AED 3,000 | Black Points: 24 | Vehicle Impound: 30 days

89. Using a vehicle to transport inflammable or hazardous materials without permission

Fine: AED 3,000 | Black Points: 24 | Vehicle Impound: 60 days

90. Using vehicles in marches without permission or in unauthorised situations

Fine: AED 500 | Black Points: 4 | Vehicle Impound: 15 days

91. School bus driver failing to activate the stop sign or comply with traffic instructions

Fine: AED 500 | Black Points: 6

92. Failing to stop when a school bus activates the stop sign

Fine: AED 1,000 | Black Points: 10

93. Driving in bus or taxi lanes in unauthorised situations

Fine: AED 400

94. Not giving way to emergency vehicles, ambulances, police vehicles or official convoys

Fine: AED 1,000 | Black Points: 6

95. Not giving priority to pedestrians at pedestrian crossings

Fine: AED 500 | Black Points: 6

96. Not giving priority to vehicles coming from the rear or left side of the road

Fine: AED 400

97. Pedestrian failing to obey signals or crossing from undesignated areas

Fine: AED 400

98. Using the horn or vehicle radio in a disturbing manner

Fine: AED 400 | Black Points: 4

99. Driving in residential areas, near educational institutions or hospitals in a way that endangers others

Fine: AED 400 | Black Points: 4

100. Using a mobile phone while driving

Fine: AED 800 | Black Points: 4

101. Being distracted by anything while driving

Fine: AED 800 | Black Points: 4 | Vehicle Impound: None

102. Allowing a child under 10 years old or shorter than 145cm to sit in the front seat

Fine: AED 400

103. Not fixing a child seat for a child under 4 years old

Fine: AED 400

104. Driver not fastening their seat belt

Fine: AED 400 | Black Points: 4

105. Passenger not fastening their seat belt

Fine: AED 400

106. Driving a vehicle that does not comply with security and safety measures

Fine: AED 500

107. Driving a vehicle that is unfit for driving

Fine: AED 500

108. Writing phrases or placing stickers on a vehicle without permission

Fine: AED 500

109. Exceeding the permitted percentage of vehicle tinting

Fine: AED 1,500

110. Tinting a vehicle not permitted to be tinted

Fine: AED 1,500

111. Modifying the vehicle's engine or chassis without permission

Fine: AED 1,000 | Black Points: 12 | Vehicle Impound: 30 days

112. Driving with expired tyres

Fine: AED 500 | Black Points: 4 | Vehicle Impound: 7 days

113. Not examining the vehicle after making major adjustments to its engine

Fine: AED 400

114. Not examining the vehicle after making major adjustments to its body

Fine: AED 400

115. Vehicle lights not working

Fine: AED 400 | Black Points: 6

116. Indicator lights not working

Fine: AED 400 | Black Points: 2

117. Rear signal lights not working

Fine: AED 400 | Black Points: 2

118. Changing a vehicle's colour without permission

Fine: AED 800

119. Rear or side lights of a trailer are broken

Fine: AED 500 | Black Points: 4

120. Absence of rear or side lights on a trailer

Fine: AED 500 | Black Points: 4

121. Loading a heavy vehicle in a way that endangers others

Fine: AED 2,000 | Black Points: 6

122. Loading a heavy vehicle in a way that damages roads

Fine: AED 2,000 | Black Points: 6

123. Loads of trucks not covered

Fine: AED 3,000

124. Not complying with loading and unloading in designated areas

Fine: AED 1,000 | Black Points: 4

125. Towing a boat or carriage without permission

Fine: AED 1,000

126. Towing a boat or carriage without fulfilling safety and security conditions

Fine: AED 1,000

127. Loading a light vehicle in a way that endangers others

Fine: AED 500 | Black Points: 4

128. Loading a light vehicle in a way that endangers the road

Fine: AED 500 | Black Points: 4

129. Overloading or carrying unframed loads in a light vehicle

Fine: AED 500 | Black Points: 4

130. Transporting passengers in a vehicle not designated for that purpose

Fine: AED 1,000 | Black Points: 4

131. Overloading a transport vehicle

Fine: AED 500 | Black Points: 4 | Vehicle Impound: 7 days

132. Using training vehicles outside the times specified by the licensing authority or in undesignated areas

Fine: AED 400

133. Providing training on a vehicle not labelled as a training vehicle

Fine: AED 500

134. Providing training in a vehicle designated for training without competent authority permission

Fine: AED 500

135. Training on driving without permission

Fine: AED 500

136. Not holding a training permit while training

Fine: AED 300

137. Load leakage or spilling from heavy vehicles

Fine: AED 3,000 | Black Points: 12

138. Driving a noisy vehicle

Fine: AED 2,000 | Black Points: 12

139. Driving a vehicle that causes pollution

Fine: AED 1,000 | Black Points: 6

140. Throwing waste from vehicles onto roads

Fine: AED 1,000 | Black Points: 6

141. Leakage or falling of parts of the load from a light vehicle

Fine: AED 500