Traffic Penalties, Fines and Black Points
How the system works
UAE traffic law combines a fine, black points on the driver's licence, and often impoundment of the vehicle. Black points attach to the driver, not the car, and stay on the record for a year. Accumulating the threshold (currently 24 points within a year) triggers suspension of the licence, with longer suspensions and possible cancellation on repeat. Fines must be cleared before the vehicle's registration can be renewed, and unpaid amounts can escalate.
Offences that appear most in questions
Running a red light is treated as a serious offence - a heavy fine, 12 black points and vehicle impoundment. Using a hand-held phone while driving carries a substantial fine plus black points. Not wearing a seat belt (driver responsible for occupants) carries a fine and points. Tailgating, sudden swerving between lanes, overtaking on the hard shoulder, driving without a valid licence or insurance, and driving under the influence attract severe penalties, and driving uninsured or unlicensed can leave you personally liable for any damage.
Amounts are revised periodically, so always check the current Ministry of Interior schedule rather than memorising a single figure - but the structure (fine + points + impound) does not change.
Traps
Questions exploit the idea that points follow the vehicle, that a fine can be paid later at renewal without consequence, or that a minor offence carries no points.
Rule of thumb: think in three parts - money, points, impoundment - and remember points are personal. Worked example: a friend asks to borrow your car and runs a red light; the registered owner faces the impoundment and fine recovery, while the black points are recorded against the driver's licence.