The UAE, particularly Dubai, employs a comprehensive traffic violation system combining fines, black points, and vehicle confiscation to promote road safety. Violations range from minor infractions to severe offenses, with penalties varying accordingly. The most serious violations, such as unauthorized passenger transport or driving under the influence, can result in up to 24 black points and hefty fines.
Accumulating 24 points leads to license suspension or revocation. The system aims to deter dangerous driving behaviors, identify repeat offenders, and encourage responsible road use. Drivers can check their black point status online or in person and have options to clear points through time or training courses. This approach seeks to create safer roads for all users in the UAE.
Traffic violations in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are taken seriously, with a comprehensive system of fines and black points designed to promote road safety and responsible driving. The black point system is a crucial component of traffic law enforcement, allowing authorities to track and penalize repeat offenders. Here’s an extensive list of violations that earn black points in the UAE:
Highest Black Point Violations
Some of the most severe traffic violations in the UAE can result in the maximum number of black points being issued:
- Unauthorized passenger transport: Operating a vehicle for transporting passengers without proper licensing earns 24 black points and a fine of AED 300.
- Transporting hazardous materials: Unauthorized transportation of harmful and hazardous materials results in 24 black points and a fine of AED 3,000.
- Driving without license plates: Operating a vehicle on the road without license plates incurs 23 black points and a fine of AED 3,000.
- Reckless driving: Driving in a manner that endangers the driver’s life, the lives of others, or their safety and security results in 23 black points and a fine of AED 2,000.
- Driving under the influence: Operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol earns 23 black points, with the fine determined by court decision.
- Property damage: Driving in a way that may cause damage to public or private facilities results in 23 black points and a fine of AED 2,000.
- Causing fatalities: Accidents resulting in the death of a person lead to 23 black points, with the fine determined by court decision.
- Causing serious injuries: Accidents causing serious injuries result in 23 black points, with the fine determined by court decision.
- Excessive speeding: Exceeding the maximum prescribed speed limit by more than 80 km/h earns 23 black points.
High Black Point Violations
The following violations result in a significant number of black points:
- Fleeing from police: Heavy vehicle drivers fleeing from a traffic policeman receive 16 black points.
- Failure to stop after accident: Heavy vehicle drivers failing to stop when causing a minor accident earn 16 black points.
- Violating truck ban timings: Trucks entering the city during banned timings receive 12 black points and a fine of AED 3,000.
- Extreme speeding: Driving at more than 60 km/h over the specified speed limit results in 12 black points, a fine of AED 3,000, and vehicle confiscation for 30 days.
Moderate Black Point Violations
These violations result in a moderate number of black points:
- Not giving way to emergency vehicles: Failure to give way to emergency, police, public service vehicles, or official convoys earns 6 black points and a fine of AED 3,000.
- Parking violations: Parking in front of fire hydrants or in spaces designated for people with special needs results in 6 black points and a fine of AED 1,000.
- Unnecessary stopping: Stopping on the road for no reason incurs 6 black points and a fine of AED 1,000.
- Poor vehicle condition: Driving with poor condition of car lights earns 6 black points and a fine of AED 400.
- Dangerous road entry: Entering a road dangerously results in 6 black points and a fine of AED 600.
Lower Black Point Violations
The following violations result in fewer black points but are still considered serious:
- Seatbelt violations: Failure of the driver or passengers to fasten seatbelts earns 4 black points and a fine of AED 400 each.
- Unsafe distance: Failure to maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front results in 4 black points and a fine of AED 400.
- Unsafe road entry: Entering a road without ensuring it is clear earns 4 black points and a fine of AED 400.
- Passenger transport violations: Transporting passengers in a vehicle not licensed for this purpose results in 4 black points, a fine of AED 1,000, and vehicle confiscation for 60 days.
- Exceeding passenger limit: Exceeding the passenger limit in a passenger transport vehicle earns 4 black points and a fine of AED 500.
- Motorcycle safety: Failure of a motorcyclist or passenger to wear a helmet results in 4 black points and a fine of AED 500 each.
- Tire safety: Driving with expired tires incurs 4 black points, a fine of AED 500, and vehicle confiscation for 7 days.
Additional Violations
While not all traffic violations result in black points, they still carry fines and other penalties:
- Red light violations: Jumping a red light results in a fine of AED 50,000.
- Unauthorized racing: Participating in road races without permission from Dubai Police incurs a fine of AED 10,000.
- Child safety violations: Allowing children under 10 years old to sit in front seats or failure to provide a child car seat for children under 4 years old results in a fine of AED 400 each.
- Traffic obstruction: Stopping on the yellow box earns a fine of AED 500.
- Turn signal violations: Failure to use indicators when changing direction or turning results in a fine of AED 400.
Here’s a summary table of traffic violations, fines, and black points in Dubai based on the information provided:
| Violation | Fine (AED) | Black Points | Vehicle Confiscation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unauthorized passenger transport | 3,000 | 24 | 30 days |
| Transporting hazardous materials without authorization | 3,000 | 24 | – |
| Driving without license plates | 3,000 | 23 | – |
| Reckless driving | 2,000 | 23 | 60 days |
| Driving under the influence of alcohol | Court decision | 23 | 60 days |
| Driving under the influence of drugs | Court decision | 23 | 60 days |
| Causing damage to public or private facilities | 2,000 | 23 | 60 days |
| Causing fatalities in accidents | Court decision | 23 | – |
| Causing serious injuries in accidents | Court decision | 23 | – |
| Exceeding speed limit by more than 80 km/h | 2,000 | 23 | 30 days |
| Heavy vehicle drivers fleeing from police | – | 16 | – |
| Heavy vehicle drivers failing to stop after minor accident | – | 16 | – |
| Violating truck ban timings | 3,000 | 12 | – |
| Exceeding speed limit by more than 60 km/h | 2,000 | 12 | 30 days |
| Not stopping at red light | 1,000 | 12 | 30 days |
| Not giving way to emergency vehicles | 3,000 | 6 | 30 days |
| Parking in front of fire hydrants | 1,000 | 6 | – |
| Parking in spaces for people with special needs | 1,000 | 6 | – |
| Unnecessary stopping on the road | 1,000 | 6 | – |
| Driving with poor condition of car lights | 400 | 6 | – |
| Entering a road dangerously | 600 | 6 | – |
| Driving a vehicle that causes pollution | 1,000 | 6 | – |
| Failure to fasten seatbelt (driver) | 400 | 4 | – |
| Failure to fasten seatbelt (passenger) | 400 | 4 | – |
| Failure to maintain safe distance | 400 | 4 | – |
| Entering a road without ensuring it’s clear | 400 | 4 | – |
| Unauthorized passenger transport | 1,000 | 4 | 60 days |
| Exceeding passenger limit in transport vehicle | 500 | 4 | – |
| Motorcyclist or passenger not wearing helmet | 500 | 4 | – |
| Driving with expired tires | 500 | 4 | 7 days |
| Reversing in a dangerous manner | 500 | 4 | – |
| Crossing through heavy traffic | 600 | 4 | 7 days |
| Mobile phone usage while driving | 800 | 4 | – |
| Driving below minimum speed limit | 400 | 4 | – |
| Jumping red light | 50,000 | – | – |
| Unauthorized racing | 10,000 | – | – |
| Child safety violations | 400 | – | – |
| Stopping on yellow box | 500 | – | – |
| Failure to use turn signals | 400 | – | – |
| Exceeding speed limit by 40-50 km/h | 700 | – | – |
| Exceeding speed limit by up to 20 km/h | 300 | – | – |
| Exceeding speed limit by 20-30 km/h | 600 | – | – |
| Parking behind vehicles, blocking movement | 500 | – | – |
| Improper parking | 500 | – | – |
| Parking on pavements | 400 | – | – |
| Stopping in a way that threatens pedestrians | 400 | – | – |
This table summarizes the major traffic violations in Dubai, their associated fines, black points, and vehicle confiscation periods where applicable.
Consequences of Accumulating Black Points
The accumulation of black points can lead to severe consequences for drivers in the UAE:
- 24 black points: If a driver accumulates 24 black points, their driving license can be revoked, and they may be banned from driving for an entire year. In some cases, vehicles may also be confiscated depending on the severity of the offences.
- First offense: For the first time a driver reaches 24 black points, their license is suspended for three months.
- Second offense: If a driver accumulates 24 black points a second time, their driving license is suspended for one year.
- Third offense: For the third repeated offense of reaching 24 black points, the license is revoked, and the driver must repeat certain driving classes.
Checking and Clearing Black Points
Drivers in the UAE have several options for checking their black point status and taking steps to clear them:
- Online checking: Residents can check their black points online through the Dubai Police website or smart app by selecting “Traffic Services” and then “Inquire and Pay Traffic Fines.
- In-person checking: Drivers can visit Dubai Police service centers with their driving license and Emirates ID to inquire about traffic points.
- Automatic clearing: Black points are automatically cleared one year after they are issued, provided the driver does not reach the 24-point limit during that time.
- Training courses: Drivers can clear 8 black points by completing a training course at traffic institutes accredited by the Traffic Department before reaching the 24-point limit.
Importance of the Black Point System
The black point system in the UAE serves several crucial purposes:
- Promoting road safety: By penalizing dangerous driving behaviors, the system encourages drivers to adhere to traffic laws and prioritize safety.
- Identifying repeat offenders: The accumulation of black points helps authorities identify and take action against habitual traffic violators.
- Encouraging responsible driving: The threat of license suspension or revocation motivates drivers to maintain good driving habits.
- Reducing accidents: By targeting behaviors that commonly lead to accidents, the system aims to reduce the overall number of traffic incidents.
- Educating drivers: The system, combined with the option to clear points through training courses, promotes ongoing driver education and improvement.
In conclusion, the UAE’s black point system is a comprehensive approach to traffic law enforcement, designed to create safer roads for all users. By understanding these violations and their consequences, drivers can make more informed decisions and contribute to a safer driving environment in the UAE.
