A Dubai traffic fine is rarely just a number on a screen. Behind the dirham amount sits a second cost that follows your licence for a year – black points – and, for the serious stuff, the risk of losing the car itself. This guide covers what the common Dubai traffic fines actually cost in 2026, the discounts most drivers miss, how the black points system bites, and how to check and pay in minutes. If you just want to see your suspension risk, run our UAE black points calculator and come back for the detail.
How Dubai traffic fines work in 2026
Fines in Dubai are issued by Dubai Police and the RTA under the UAE Federal Traffic Law and attached to your vehicle plate and traffic file. Every violation carries a dirham fine. The more serious ones add black points and, at the top end, vehicle impoundment. Amounts run from AED 200 for minor slips to AED 100,000 for the most dangerous offences. Unpaid fines also block you later, because you cannot renew your vehicle registration while fines are outstanding – one reason to clear them before your registration renewal comes due.
Common Dubai traffic fines and black points
These are the everyday violations most Dubai drivers meet, with the representative federal amounts, black points and impound periods that apply in 2026. Exact figures are set by the specific article of the traffic law and can change, so always confirm the current amount in the MOI or Dubai Police app before you pay.
| Violation | Fine (AED) | Black points | Impound |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jumping a red light | 1,000 | 12 | 30 days |
| Exceeding the speed limit by more than 80 km/h | 3,000 | 23 | 60 days |
| Exceeding the speed limit by more than 60 km/h | 2,000 | 12 | 30 days |
| Reckless driving / endangering lives | 2,000 | 23 | 60 days |
| Driving a vehicle with no number plates | 3,000 | 23 | Confiscation |
| Using a mobile phone while driving | 800 | 4 | – |
| Not fastening the seatbelt (driver or passenger) | 400 | 4 | – |
| No child seat for a child under 4 | 400 | 4 | – |
| Tailgating / not leaving a safe distance | 400 | 4 | – |
| Dangerous or sudden overtaking | 600 | 6 | – |
| Entering a road dangerously | 1,000 | 8 | – |
| Driving against the direction of traffic | 600 | 4 | – |
| Illegal or dangerous parking | up to 1,000 | – | Towing |
| Driving under the influence of alcohol | Court decision | 23 | 60 days |
| Racing on a public road | 2,000 | 23 | Confiscation |
Dubai speeding fines explained
Speeding is charged on a sliding scale that climbs steeply the further you go over the limit. A small overage is a modest fine, but once you pass 60 km/h over the limit you are into thousands of dirhams plus black points, and past 80 km/h over you add 23 points and a 60-day impound in a single stroke. Dubai roads also carry a buffer on some limits, but do not rely on it – the radar network is dense and fixed, mobile and average-speed cameras all feed the same system.
The Dubai traffic fine discount most drivers miss
Dubai routinely rewards paying early. As a rule of thumb, paying within 60 days earns a 35% discount, and choosing an official instalment plan and keeping up with the payments earns around 25% off. On top of that, Dubai issues larger campaign discounts – often 50% – around UAE National Day and other national occasions. One catch is worth repeating: a discount only reduces the dirham amount. It does not remove the black points and it does not cancel a vehicle confiscation. So a discounted fine can still cost you a suspended licence. For every tier across the emirates, see our UAE traffic fine discounts guide.
Black points: the cost that outlasts the fine
You can pay a fine and forget it. Black points are harder to shake. They stay on your record for 12 months, and if you reach 24 points inside that window your licence is suspended – 3 months the first time, 6 months the second, and a full year with a mandatory retest the third. That is why a AED 400 seatbelt fine carrying 4 points can matter more than a larger fine that carries none. Check where you stand with the black points calculator before your points quietly stack up.
When Dubai impounds your car
Serious violations get the vehicle taken, not just fined. Impound periods typically run from 7 to 90 days depending on the offence, and the clock can double if the same violation is repeated within a year. Getting the car back means clearing the fines plus a release fee, with towing and daily storage on top. For the most dangerous offences – the kind involving racing, drifting or extreme speed – Dubai has introduced release fees that reach AED 50,000 and, in extreme cases, AED 100,000. The full cost breakdown is in our UAE car impound guide.
How to check and pay Dubai traffic fines
The quickest check is the MOI UAE app or the Dubai Police app, both signed in with UAE Pass. You can search by plate number, licence number, traffic file or Emirates ID, then pay in the same app, through your bank, at a Smart Police Station or at an authorised exchange centre, with an instant receipt. Dubai Police also answer fine queries on 901. The full cross-emirate walkthrough is in our guide to how to check and pay UAE traffic fines.
Dubai traffic fines: frequently asked questions
How do I check my Dubai traffic fines in 2026?
What is the discount on Dubai traffic fines?
Do traffic fine discounts remove black points?
How many black points suspend a licence in Dubai?
Can I pay Dubai traffic fines in instalments?
Will unpaid fines stop my car registration renewal?
How long is a car impounded in Dubai?
Sources: UAE Federal Traffic Law, Dubai Police and the Ministry of Interior (MOI). This guide is for general information and is not legal advice. Fine amounts and discount campaigns change – always confirm the current figure in the MOI or Dubai Police app before you pay. Verified July 2026.