UAE traffic fines guide: How to pay online, locations, and rules explained
From Dubai to Abu Dhabi, here’s how to settle your fines quickly, plus key rules under the latest traffic law.
Have you ever found yourself going over the speed limit, or driving distractedly? Then, you’ve likely had to pay a traffic fine.
The UAE has strict driving regulations that are enforced to safeguard all road-users and pedestrians. Driving takes discipline and awareness in this busy country, but if you find yourself violating a rule, paying the penalty is an easy and efficient process, and can be done online, from the comfort of your home.
What are the traffic regulations in the UAE?
The UAE’s Federal Decree-Law No. 14 of 2024 On Traffic Regulation is the most recent legislation that keeps pace with rapid developments in the transport sector. This law supports the expanded use of self-driving vehicles, electric cars, and personal mobility vehicles, like bicycles and e-scooters.
In the UAE, traffic violations can meet with fines, black points, and even vehicle impoundment. There are specific fines for different levels and different types of violations. Here are a few to note:
- Speeding violations: The penalty increases based on how much you exceed the road’s permitted speed limit. The fines range from Dh300 to Dh3,000.
- Parking violations: Depending on the seriousness of the offense, and the location, fines for parking offenses range from Dh200 to Dh1,000. Examples include incorrect parking within a designated space (Dh500 fine), and parking behind vehicles and blocking their movement (Dh500 fine).
- Driving licence-related violations: The driver’s licence is a significant piece of identity for vehicle owners, along with their vehicle registration card and insurance information. Not having these documents and cards on hand can cost you significantly. Fines for driving licence-related offenses start from Dh400 (for driving with a licence issued by a foreign country, except in permitted cases), and go all the way to Dh3,000 (for failing to hand over a driving licence when you have accrued maximum black points, in your third traffic violation).
- Plates, insurance and registration-related violations: Car insurance is mandatory in the UAE, with the law requiring at least third-party liability coverage for every vehicle that is registered and driven. This insurance covers damage caused to others, while comprehensive coverage takes care of personal damage. So, driving without appropriate insurance will land you a penalty of not just Dh500, but also an additional four black points, and seven-day car impoundment. Not carrying the vehicle registration card can cost you Dh400.
- Violations that jeopardise road users: These involve some of the heftiest fines, starting from Dh400 (failure to leave a safe distance when driving behind other vehicles), and ending at a penalty that is decided by court (for causing someone’s death).
Similarly, there are specific, well-categorised penalties for violations related to heavy vehicles, pedestrians, non-compliance to the traffic police, and more.
For the full list of violations, and associated fines, visit the official website of your emirate’s police force.
What are black points?
Apart from monetary fines, the UAE penalises offenders via a black points system. With each offense, a certain number of black points are accrued by the driver. These points are assigned for both minor infractions, such as not wearing a seatbelt (4 black points), and major infractions, such as driving under the influence of alcohol (23 black points).
You can accumulate a maximum of 23 black points in a year – reaching 24 points leads to licence suspension, and other impacts, such as higher insurance premiums, and vehicle impoundment in the most severe cases.
Common traffic penalties
Here are some common traffic violations, and related fines, that all road-users in the UAE should be aware of:
- Exceeding the maximum speed limit by no more than 20km/h: Dh300 fine
- Exceeding the maximum speed limit by no more than 30km/h: Dh600 fine
- Driving a vehicle with an unclear licence plate: Dh400 fine
- Failure to use indicators when changing the vehicle’s direction or making turns: Dh400 fine
- Parking vehicles on pavements: Dh400 fine
- Failure to leave a safe distance when driving behind other vehicles: Dh400 fine and four black points
- Driving at night or in foggy weather without lights: Dh500 fine and four black points
- Driving a vehicle with an expired driving licence: Dh500 fine, four black points, and vehicle will be retained for seven days
- Driving a vehicle with an expired registration: Dh500 fine, four black points, and vehicle will be retained for seven days (if expiry date is over three months)
- Stopping the vehicle in prohibited areas on the left shoulder in public roads: Dh1,000 fine
- Crossing a red light (light vehicles): Dh1,000 fine, 12 black points and vehicle will be retained for 30 days
- Driving a vehicle in a way that jeopardises the driver, others’ lives, their safety, or security: Dh2,000 fine, 23 black points and the light vehicle will be retained for 60 days
For the full list of violations, and associated fines, visit the official website of your emirate’s police force.
How do I know if I received a traffic fine?
When you commit a traffic violation, such as speeding, you will receive a notification via SMS.
If you would like to be proactive and check your fines, you can do so through the Ministry of Interior (MOI) website or MOI UAE app, or via the respective emirate’s police website.
Here’s how to check if you have a traffic fine, on Dubai Police’s app:
- Visit dubaipolice.gov.ae or open the Dubai Police app.
- Sign in with UAE PASS.
- Go to the Services section and select ‘Fines Inquiry and Payment’.
- Enter your plate source, plate number and plate code.
- Then click ‘Check fines’.
Other official apps have a similar process. See the full list of websites and apps you can use to check traffic fines, in the Online Payment section below.
What documents do I need to pay a traffic fine?
Once you know you have received a fine, it’s time to pay. Although you don’t require any physical documents for this process, you will need the following:
- Emirates ID (on MOI platforms)
- Traffic code number or traffic file number - a unique identification number printed on your driving licence that links all your vehicle and driving records.
- Driving licence number
- Vehicle plate number
- Credit/debit card
How to pay a traffic fine
There are several ways to settle traffic fines, depending on the emirate in which you live.
Online payment
If you would like to pay your traffic fine remotely, there are several websites and apps you can access, to do so. Note that an additional Knowledge fee and Innovation fee of Dh20 will apply when you pay online. You can pay online via these channels:
All emirates:
Ministry of Interior (MOI): moi.gov.ae
MOI UAE app
- Download the MOI UAE app and log in using your UAE PASS.
- Select the ‘Traffic fines payment’ service, and choose the fine you wish to pay.
- Pay the relevant fee.
- You will receive a receipt instantly. The service is accessible 24/7.
It’s a similar process for other apps and websites, listed below.
- Visit a police station nearby.
- You will need to show the authorities your Emirates ID, driving licence and vehicle registration.
- Pay the fine via credit, debit or cash. You will receive a receipt immediately.
Smart Police Station (SPS): Dubai Police has specialised, fully digitised police stations that operate 24/7, and are conveniently located in both residential and commercial neighbourhoods, like Arabian Ranches and City Walk. These stations offer self-service options, giving you quick access to police services, without needing an electronic device or internet, to log on.
To pay a fine at an SPS:
- Select ‘Traffic fines payment’ on the screen.
- Enter the traffic file number, licence number or plate details.
- Pay via credit or debit card. You will receive a receipt instantly.
Customer Happiness Centre: Some organisations, like the Abu Dhabi Police, and Dubai’s RTA, offer Customer Happiness Centres located in convenient areas around the emirate, like malls and busy neighbourhoods. You can pay your fine in any of these centres.
- Visit the centre.
- Provide your vehicle details, traffic file number, and Emirates ID
- Settle the fine using a credit/debit card, or near-field communication-enabled (NFC) device.
Smart kiosks: Although you won’t be able to interact with the authorities at kiosks, these facilities offer a convenient way to pay for fines while you’re out and about in the city. Payment booths or smart kiosks are available across the UAE, in high-density areas, like shopping malls, petrol stations and public transport stations. Here are a few you can access:
- Sahl: This self-service terminal, available in Abu Dhabi, lets you not just pay fines, but also renew your vehicle’s license, request replacements, and more.
- MBME: These kiosks, found across the UAE, allow you to pay fines, utility bills and telecom charges.
- RTA Smart Kiosks: These 24/7 self-service machines offer over 28 digital services, and accept cash, credit cards and NFC technology.
- Dubai Police payment machines: You can pay off your fine completely, or in installments, at these kiosks.
Phone payment
Don’t call 999 to pay a traffic fine in the UAE. The authorities have dedicated non-emergency phone lines, which you can use for purposes like fine payment. Here are the telephone numbers to note:
- Abu Dhabi Police: 8003333
- Dubai Police: 901
- Sharjah Police: 901
- Ajman Police: 901
- Ras Al Khaimah Police: 901
- Umm Al Quwain Police: 901
- Fujairah Police: 09 2051100
Other avenues
If you’re looking for another way to pay, visit your bank’s online portal or app. Many banks, like Emirates NBD, Emirates Islamic Bank, Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, Commercial Bank International, First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) and more, allow fine payments through their ATMs, mobile apps, or online banking platforms. Some even offer 0% installment plans to make it easier to pay.
Moreover, authorised currency exchange centres, like Al Ansari Exchange, Al Fardan Exchange, or Lulu Exchange, directly connect to the MOI or police systems, offering you the ability to immediately pay your fine.