Dubai introduces stricter traffic laws, announces fines of up to Dhs100,000

Dubai has amended its traffic laws and introduced new stricter penalties for motorists driving in the emirate. The amended traffic laws come into effect on Thursday, July 6.

According to local media reports, reckless driving and jumping a red light are among the serious traffic offences that will attract a hefty fine to the tune of $13,614 (Dhs50,000).

Motorists who commit any of the following violations will be required to pay a Dhs50,000 fine for the release of any impounded vehicle:

• Riding recreational motorcycles on paved roads.
• Driving a vehicle recklessly or in a manner that poses a danger to lives or properties.
• Jumping a red light.
• Driving a vehicle with a fake, forged, obscured, or unlawfully used number plate.
• Deliberately colliding with a police vehicle or intentionally causing damage to it
• Driving a vehicle by a person under 18 years old

Drivers who participate in road races without permission from the authorities face a stiffer penalty of as much as Dhs100,000 for the release of a confiscated vehicle.

Vehicles that would have been impounded for any of the following violations will be released after the payment of Dhs10,000:

• Making substantial modifications to the vehicle resulting in increased speed, noise, or disturbances during operation or driving it
• Evading the police
• Driving a vehicle without license plates
• Gathering of drivers to watch races or participate in chaotic activities resulting from them, or showcasing vehicles on the road
• Exceeding the allowed tint percentage for vehicle windows or tinting the front windshield without permission 

Dubai’s new traffic laws

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, issued Decree No. 30 of 2023. It updates and makes changes to elements of Decree No. 29 of 2015.

Under the amended traffic laws, Dubai Police can seize a vehicle if it has clocked up more than Dhs6,000 in traffic fines. The impounded vehicle will only be released after the owner pays the imposed traffic fines.

Similarly, non-UAE national drivers of heavy vehicles will be deported from the country if they drive through a red light.

To have an impounded vehicle released, the owner must:

• Wait for the minimum allotted time to expire
• Settle all fines as per the traffic file
• Remedy or redress the violation
• Fulfil any other conditions issued by Dubai Police

The amount to be paid for the release of the impounded vehicle will be doubled in case the vehicle is impounded again within one year from the occurrence of the same offence.

Read: Abu Dhabi: Speed limit on Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Road starts from May 1