Topic · updated 31.07.2026 · 6 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" repair is itself against the rules; the report stays valid for roughly three months from issue.
- You can check a fine tied to your plate number for free, on one of three portals depending on which emirate the car is registered in: RTA Dubai, the federal MOI portal, or TAMM/Abu Dhabi Police.
- Black points run on a separate system from fines: 24 points is the ceiling before your license gets suspended, and points from each violation expire after 12 months regardless of whether the fine itself was paid.
- Drunk driving in the UAE is zero-tolerance (0.00% BAC): under Article 35 of Federal Decree-Law No. 14 of 2024, the fine ranges from AED 20,000 to AED 100,000, plus a minimum 3-month license suspension, plus deportation risk for foreign residents.
- On a rental car, the deposit is required back within 30 days of returning the vehicle (DET Circular No. 1 of 2024); fines and Salik tolls land on the rental company first, as the registered owner, and get passed on to you afterward — sometimes with a markup added.
Traffic law in the UAE runs on a single 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 details (thresholds, exchange rates, discounts) through RTA, Dubai Police, MOI, or TAMM. The rule that matters most: accidents and serious violations require an official report or system registration — "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 an accident 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 can clear the road.
- Car Accident in Dubai: What to Do Step by Step — read right after a crash, or in advance, to know 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 — you can pay the amount right away 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 split it into 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 sure you weren't the one driving, or the radar got it wrong, and want a realistic sense of which fines actually get overturned and which almost never do.
- Black Points in the UAE: How to Clear Them — read if you're approaching the 24-point ceiling, or want to understand when points expire on their own versus when they can be removed early.
Drunk driving and car rentals: two higher-risk situations
These two stand apart from the rest: drunk driving turns an ordinary accident from an administrative matter into a criminal one, and a rental car adds a whole separate layer of disputes with the rental company that has nothing directly to do with traffic law itself.
- Drunk Driving in Dubai: Fines and Jail Time — read before getting behind the wheel "just in case" after a glass of wine, and if you need a clear-eyed picture of 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 you 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 been in force, replacing Federal Law No. 21 of 1995. The overall framework — fines, black points, license suspension — is federal, 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?
Check whether anyone's hurt. If not, and the damage is purely cosmetic, file the accident remotely through the Dubai Police app rather than waiting for a patrol. If anyone's injured or the damage is serious, don't touch anything and call 999. The full step-by-step is in the accident guide.
How do I find out if I have fines or black points, and can I dispute them?
Fines can be checked for free by plate number or Emirates ID on your emirate's portal (RTA, MOI, or TAMM); black points show up in the same police app. If you think a fine is wrong, you can file an objection online with Dubai Police or the traffic prosecution — but in practice, only fines with a provable error get overturned, not simple disagreement.
What does a foreign resident risk for drunk driving in the UAE?
The UAE has zero tolerance for alcohol behind the wheel — a fine of AED 20,000 to AED 100,000, a minimum 3-month license suspension, and, for foreign residents after a conviction, a real risk of deportation. Insurance will almost always deny the claim as well.
This material is for information only and is not legal advice. UAE law changes — a lawyer will assess how it applies to your situation.