Topic · updated 16.08.2026 · 5 min read · Lucent Legal team
UAE Traffic Law: Fines, Accidents, Losing Your License, Insurance
Key points
- An accident in Dubai needs a police report in almost every case — without one, insurance won't cover repairs, and an unofficial "agreed" fix is itself against the rules; the report stays valid for roughly three months from issue.
- A fine tied to your plate number is free to check on one of three portals, depending on where the car is registered: RTA Dubai, the federal MOI portal, or TAMM/Abu Dhabi Police.
- Black points sit on their own track, apart from fines: 24 points suspends your license, and each violation's points drop off after 12 months whether or not you paid the fine.
- Drunk driving is zero-tolerance (0.00% BAC): under Article 35 of Federal Decree-Law No. 14 of 2024, the fine runs AED 20,000 to AED 100,000, on top of a minimum 3-month license suspension and deportation risk for foreign residents.
- On a rental car, your deposit is due back within 30 days of return (DET Circular No. 1 of 2024); fines and Salik tolls hit the rental company first as registered owner, then reach you — sometimes with a markup on top.
Traffic law in the UAE runs on one federal statute — since 29 March 2025 that's Federal Decree-Law No. 14 of 2024, replacing the 1995 law — while each emirate sets its own thresholds, exchange rates, and discounts through RTA, Dubai Police, MOI, or TAMM. The rule that matters most: accidents and serious violations need an official report or system registration, and "sorting it out between yourselves" almost always voids your insurance or your right to dispute the outcome later. Below is where to look for each situation, from a crash on the spot to black points and car rental disputes.
Accidents: what to do on the spot, and how it reaches your insurer
The first few minutes after a collision decide whether you can later get the car repaired and reimbursed legally — what matters is the order you do things in, not how fast you clear the road.
- Car Accident in Dubai: What to Do Step by Step — read right after a crash, or ahead of one, for whether to move the car, how to file a minor accident through the Dubai Police app, what the report color (pink/green/white) means, and what to do if anyone's hurt.
Fines and black points: checking, disputing, keeping your license
A fine and black points aren't the same thing — pay the amount today and the points still sit on your license until they expire.
If the fine or the violation itself looks wrong, there's a legitimate way to dispute it before you pay.
- How to Check a UAE Fine by Plate Number and Emirates ID — read if you need the amount fast, want to pay it in installments, or need to know who actually pays a fine on a rented car.
- How to Dispute a Fine in Dubai — read if you're certain you weren't driving, or the radar misfired, and want a realistic read on which fines get overturned and which almost never do.
- Black Points in the UAE: How to Clear Them — read if you're nearing the 24-point ceiling, or want to know when points fall off on their own versus when they can be cleared early.
Drunk driving and car rentals: two higher-risk situations
These two sit apart from the rest: drunk driving flips an ordinary accident from an administrative matter into a criminal one, and a rental car layers on a whole separate set of disputes with the company that has nothing to do with traffic law itself.
- Drunk Driving in Dubai: Fines and Jail Time — read before driving "just in case" after a glass of wine, and for a clear-eyed look at the consequences for a foreign resident, from the fine to deportation.
- Car Rental in Dubai: Deposit, Fines, Disputes — read if the rental company is sitting on your deposit, sent a photo of a "newly found" scratch, or is charging a markup on top of a fine or Salik toll.
FAQ
Which law governs traffic in the UAE?
Since 29 March 2025, Federal Decree-Law No. 14 of 2024 has replaced Federal Law No. 21 of 1995. Fines, black points, and license suspension sit in that federal frame, but each emirate applies its own thresholds, exchange rates, and early-payment discounts.
What's the first thing to do after a car accident in Dubai?
First check whether anyone's hurt. If not, and the damage is only cosmetic, file it remotely through the Dubai Police app instead of waiting for a patrol. If someone's injured or the damage is serious, touch nothing and call 999. The full step-by-step sits in the accident guide.
How do I find out if I have fines or black points, and can I dispute them?
Check fines for free by plate number or Emirates ID on your emirate's portal (RTA, MOI, or TAMM); black points appear in the same police app. Think a fine is wrong? File an objection online with Dubai Police or the traffic prosecution — but in practice only a provable error gets a fine overturned, not plain disagreement.
What does a foreign resident risk for drunk driving in the UAE?
Zero tolerance for alcohol behind the wheel — a fine of AED 20,000 to AED 100,000, a minimum 3-month license suspension, and, after a conviction, a real deportation risk for foreign residents. Insurance will almost always deny the claim too.
This material is for information only and is not legal advice. UAE law changes — a lawyer will assess how it applies to your situation.