When you arrive in Dubai, it will be smart to rent a car to explore the city in the most convenient manner. Make sure to drive carefully because the authorities meticulously monitor the situations on the roads and penalize those who violate traffic rules. In this article, you'll find exhaustive information about the fines that can expect careless drivers.
What Are Speeding Fines in Dubai?
A cash fine for speeding is one of the three possible penalties for irresponsible drivers. Its amount depends on the type of violation — we'll discuss it in detail in the dedicated passages of our article.
The second penalty variation is black points. The more severely one violates the rules, the more points they accumulate. Individuals who get too many of them can end up with their vehicles confiscated — this is the third and the highest penalty level.
Dubai Speeding Fines List (Common Violations and Corresponding Fines)
Now, let's have a look at the activities that are considered violations of traffic rules in Dubai and their respective fines. The list won't be exhaustive — we'll cover only the most widespread situations.
Parking in a wrong place can involve a fine of up to AED 1,000. One can get a fine of a more or less the same amount for reversing in a dangerous manner, crossing through heavy traffic, littering from a vehicle window, or using a mobile phone while driving. Relatively small fines are charged for driving without insurance or with expired vehicle registration, as well as for refusing to fasten the seatbelt or using a vehicle that pollutes the environment. Minor fines can also affect those who allow a child younger than 10 years to sit in the front row, change the color of their car without official permission, or fail to take care of the vehicle's lights, rear lights, and indicators.
Fines of AED 1,500 to AED 3,000 apply to drivers who illegally transport passengers, pose danger to other people and properties, lack a registered number plate, or tint cars that are not allowed to be tinted. If someone is caught racing on a public road, they will have to pay a fine of AED 2,000, and they can be arrested.
The penalties for heavy vehicle drivers usually fall within the range from AED 1,000 to AED 3,000. These can include, for instance, fines for jumping a red signal, causing the overturning of another vehicle, vehicle content leaking out, or entering into prohibited areas.
Larger fines of AED 10,000 were introduced for those who try to escape the Dubai Police or modify their vehicles without permission so that the latter emit too much noise. Individuals who showcase their cars in public as if on an autodrome will also have to pay this sum.
Fines of AED 50,000 apply to the most severe violations. These include crashing the police car, using a fake driving license, or taking the place behind the steering wheel if one is younger than 18. Besides, such large fines can be charged to those who drive too recklessly, ride a motorbike intended for recreational use in the city street, or cross a red light and run while it can turn green.
Of course, there are fines for those who drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Each case is considered individually and the amount of fine is determined depending on the circumstances. The matter will be taken to court and the car will be confiscated for two months.
Dubai Speeding Fines Cost
The amounts of fines for speeding depend on how fast one drives. If the person doesn't exceed the limit for more than 40 km/h, they won't have to pay more than 700 AED. The highest possible amount of this type of fine is AED 3,000. It applies to individuals who exceed the limit by over 80 km/h and involves confiscation of the car for a month — plus, the person might lose their driving license, depending on the circumstances.
Besides, there can be fines for driving too slow. They apply to cars that prevent smooth flow of traffic on highways. The amounts of money that one might need to pay on such occasions are not too high — from 200 to 400 AED.
The good thing about Dubai is that local authorities tend to be tolerant to people who drive too fast. If one exceeds the limit for no more than 20 km/h, they might be able to do without a fine. In other parts of the UAE, it can be impossible to get a waiver for the same violation.
How to Check Speeding Fines in Dubai
To find out about their potential driving fines in Dubai, one can check any of these sources:
- Official website or mobile app of the Dubai Police website
- Official website or mobile app of the RTA (Roads and Transport Authority)
- Government service centers or police stations that accept face-to-face enquiries
- Phone hotlines or SMS enquiry systems
It's advisable to check these sources regularly. The sooner you discover and pay any potential fines, the lower your expenses can be.
How Long Does It Take for Speeding Fines to Come Through in Dubai?
Usually, fines are charged within three days after the violation. However, the exact duration depends on the type of violation. For instance, if a person parks in a wrong place or drives too fast in front of a camera, they can get a fine within 24 hours. If a police officer gives a manual ticket to them, they might need to wait for up to two weeks to be able to pay the fine. The speed of charging fines can also depend on external factors, such as administrative efficiency, technical issues, or public holidays.
How to Pay Traffic Fines in Dubai
After a driver gets a fine, the can pay it either offline or online.
Offline, they can visit a Dubai Police station or an RTA customer service center. Alternatively, they can go to a brick-and-mortar branch of a bank or use an ATM. All these options normally accept both cards and cash.
Online, one can transfer the payment through the sources that display the charged fines — they were listed in a dedicated passage of this article. There, one needs to type in their credit or debit card details, the information from their driver's license, and their traffic file number. Alternatively, feel free to use the website or mobile app of any local bank that support this option.
Can I Pay Dubai Traffic Fines in Installments?
If a driver can't afford to pay the entire amount of the fine in one go, they might be allowed to split it into installments. They can request this service on the official website of the Dubai Police, in the mobile app of the Dubai Police, or in a bank. Usually, it's enough to show one's ID, driver's license, and proof of fine.
Discounts on Traffic Fines in Dubai: How to Get Discounts on Traffic Fines
Drivers who pay their fines promptly can often benefit from a discount. Its amount can reach 50% of the fine. To get it, one might need to transfer the payment within one or two months.
Besides, the authorities regularly come up with programs and endeavors that enable drivers to reduce the amounts of fines. For instance, the RTA previously offered discounts on fines that drivers had got but have failed to pay yet. Alternatively, there can be discounts for motorists who stay clean from fines for a few months and then get one — in this case, the amount of the discount can depend on the duration of the period that the person spent without fines. Probably, similar initiatives will take place again in the future, so it would be smart to follow the news to get to know about them on time.
