Report accidents online
You can report minor accidents online via:
- the MoI UAE app available on Google Play and App Store
- the Saeed app available on Google Play and App Store
- the Abu Dhabi Police app available on Google Play and App Store
- the Dubai Police app available on Google Play and App Store.
- the Rafid app for reporting accidents in Sharjah, available on Google Play and App Store.
Pay traffic fines online
Paying traffic fines relating to driving licence or vehicles online, is a simple and convenient process. With the increasing popularity of online payment methods, the UAE government has introduced several digital channels making it easy for motorists to pay fines from any place they are at.
Check traffic fines and pay them online through the platforms of:
Legal provisions
In the UAE, road injuries are one of the leading causes of death for children. Two out of every three fatally injured children die due to road traffic crashes.
The Executive Regulations of Federal Law No. 9 for the year 2011 concerning Land Transport states that land transport activity may not be practised before obtaining a licence from the respective authority.
Traffic police and road and transport authorities across the UAE play a major role in ensuring safety and traffic regulations and use smart technology to minimise traffic violations.
The UAE applies Federal Decree-Law No. (14) of 2024 On Traffic Regulation and the related executive regulations and ministerial resolutions in all aspects concerning traffic controls and violations in UAE.
It is mandatory to adhere to the speed limits set on highways, internal streets, and residential areas.
The UAE has a zero-tolerance policy in place regarding driving under the influence of alcohol. This act is punishable by law.
Talking on cell phone while driving is prohibited, as it may distract the driver and lead to serious accidents.
RTA recommends that drivers check their car tires pressure every couple of weeks to avoid potential harm.
The UAE has a system of black points leading to confiscation of the driver's licence is in force to ensure adherence to traffic laws.
The system is based on a number of fixed points. The driver who violates traffic rules gets black points according to a specified schedule. The number of black points corresponds with the seriousness of the violation and it is counted from the date of violation.
For more information, refer to the Black points' law.
National System for Tracking Trucks and Shipments Electronically
The National System for Tracking Trucks and Shipments electronically tracks shipments and trucks from the port of entry to its final destination inside the UAE. Tracking happens in real time through a tracking device connected to satellites or a communication network. A dedicated operation room monitors the movement of the trucks 24/7 and provides real time reports on the truck’s location in the UAE.
Objectives of the system
The tracking system aims to:
- support the security and custom’s system of the UAE
- raise the compliance with supply chain security standards
- facilitate smooth flow of trade
- build an integrated system that aligns with the requirements of all project stakeholders, while also establish links with other relevant systems
- identify and prevent customs violations that may occur during the transportation process through the UAE’s ports
- help transport companies comply with the relevant laws and procedures
- create an attractive economic environment for the business sector.
Owners of vehicles used for transporting goods and trucks registered in the UAE must register in this system.
The National Centre for Tracking Trucks and Shipments, affiliated with Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICP), is responsible for overseeing the enforcement of the system.
Weights and dimensions of heavy vehicles
As per the regulations of weights and dimensions of heavy vehicles, heavy vehicles with a total weight exceeding 65 tonnes will be banned from plying on the roads from the year 2024.
A smart electronic gate system will be installed to measure and monitor the weights and dimensions of heavy vehicles.
The amendments establish the obligations of operators of heavy vehicles and those of the regulatory authorities responsible for enforcing the monitoring procedures and issuing violations. The amendment is aimed at protecting the UAE’s advanced infrastructure and raising the safety levels on the roads.
UAE traffic law
TThe UAE applies Federal Decree-Law No. (14) of 2024 On Traffic Regulation, in addition to Ministerial Resolution No. 177 of 2017 regarding issuing and renewing a driver’s licence and Ministerial Resolution No. 178 of 2017 regarding traffic control rules, and their amendments. These regulations aim to enhance traffic safety, strengthen road security, and reduce the overall number of accidents. The government has also reviewed all traffic violations and their associated point system, introducing new violations and increasing the points for certain offenses after assessing their seriousness and their impact on accident and fatality rates.
Ministerial Resolution No. 177 of 2017 regarding issuing and renewing a driver’s licence
The resolution sets stipulations for issuing and renewing drivers’ licences as the following:
For those who are 21 years of age and above
- Initially, the driver’s licence is valid for 2 years for citizens, GCC nationals and other nationalities
- After renewal, the driver’s licence is valid for 10 years for citizens and GCC nationals and for 5 years for other nationalities.
For those below 21 years of age
- Initially, the driver’s licence is valid for one year for citizens, GCC nationals and other nationalities.
Ministerial Resolution No. 178 of 2017 regarding traffic control rules
The resolution covers many safety and control aspects. Some of them are:
Mandatory seat belts for all
- All passengers in a car are required to wear seat belts including those sitting in the rear seat, failing which the driver of the vehicle will be fined AED 400 and slapped with four black points.
- Children up to four years of age must be provided with a child safety seat. Violators will be fined AED 400 and slapped with four black points.
- The front seat passenger should also be at least 145 cm tall and not younger than 10 years old.
Reckless driving
- Reckless driving will incur a fine of AED 2,000, 23 black points and impounding of the vehicle for a period of 60 days.
- The same punishment and fine will apply to drivers who endanger the lives of others.
- Other violations cover: blocking traffic, jumping red signals, sudden swerving and driving without a number plate.
Driving under the influence
Drivers caught under the influence of drugs and or alcohol will have their licence suspended for one year, starting from the day of the verdict. Court will decide the fine and/or jail term.
Traffic signals
Motorcycle riders and motorists who ignore traffic lights will be fined AED 1, 000 and incur a penalty of 12 points and their vehicles will be seized for a month.
Distractions
Using phones while driving or any other distractions will be attract AED 400 fine and four black points.
Driver’s behaviour
Violations include:
- throwing garbage
- not leaving safe distance between vehicles
- overtaking on the hard shoulder
- crowding around accident sites
- using quad-bike on road
- jaywalking
- violating technical and safety issues
- failing to fasten seat belts
- using expired tires
- driving without insurance/car registration
- driving noisy vehicle
- transporting passengers illegally.
Speeding
Those exceeding the speed limit by 80 kmph will be fined AED 3,000, slapped with 23 black points and have their car impounded for 60 days.
Find list of traffic offences and violations (PDF, 300 KB).
The ‘White Points’ system
In 2012, Dubai Police introduced the ‘White Points’ system to motivate those driving cars to abide by traffic laws and regulations. Under the White Points system, people with a driving licence issued by the Dubai Government will be rewarded if they do not:
- commit any traffic violations in Dubai or other emirates
- incur Salik and parking fines
- face traffic prosecution cases for an entire year.
White points are accumulated at the end of the year, at the rate of two points per month. Eligible drivers would gather 24 points in one calendar year.
White points entitles the driver to one of the following rewards, once, during one calendar year:
- exchanging traffic white points with traffic black points for a maximum of 12 points
- cancelling the impoundment of the vehicle for a period of 30 days maximum
- cancelling a traffic violation that is clear of black points or impoundment period
- cancelling the payment for the extra impoundment period for 30 days maximum.
UAE eCall
Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) in cooperation with Abu Dhabi and Dubai Police launched an eCall system for automatic call in the event of traffic accidents.
In the event of a collision, the eCall system automatically establishes a two-way voice communication via the cellular network to the nearest emergency centre. The emergency centre will dispatch a medical team to the location of the accident as soon as possible.
This system will accelerate the accident response time by providing a sophisticated feature for rapid communication with the emergency teams, which allows automatic and voice information to be received and logged into the system simultaneously rather than printing commands in a conventional manner.
Injuries from road traffic accidents
Find statistics related to deaths and injuries resulting from road traffic accidents. Figures are as per Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre.
|
Year |
Number of traffic injuries |
Number of traffic deaths |
|
2015 |
6,876 |
675 |
|
2016 |
6,681 |
725 |
|
2017 |
5,861 |
543 |
|
2018 |
5,130 |
468 |
|
2019 |
5,814 |
448 |
Updated on:
23 Dec 2025
