Some UAE traffic violations do not just cost dirhams – they cost you the car. Impoundment takes the vehicle off you for a set period, and getting it back means clearing the fines plus release, towing and storage fees. This guide explains why cars are impounded in the UAE, how long it lasts, what release costs in 2026, and the steps to recover your vehicle. If points are stacking up alongside a seizure, check your standing with the UAE black points calculator.
Why cars get impounded in the UAE
Impoundment is reserved for the dangerous end of the traffic law – extreme speeding, reckless driving, racing or drifting, driving with no number plates, and driving under the influence. These offences usually combine a heavy fine, a large block of black points and the seizure of the vehicle itself, so the car is only one part of the penalty.
How long a car is impounded
Impound periods typically run from 7 to 90 days depending on the offence. The period can double if the vehicle is seized a second time for the same violation within a year, unless doubling would push it past 90 days. For the most serious cases the vehicle can be held until a court rules, and confiscation – permanent loss – is possible for offences such as racing.
UAE car impound release costs in 2026
You cannot recover the car until the underlying fines are paid, and then a release fee applies on top, with towing and daily storage added. Figures vary by emirate and by how serious the offence was:
| Cost | Typical amount (AED) |
|---|---|
| Standard vehicle release fee (Dubai) | 100 |
| Late-release surcharge (not collected in time) | 50 |
| Towing fee | 400 – 500 |
| Daily storage | around 50 per day |
| Release fee for serious/life-threatening offences | up to 50,000 |
| Extreme cases (racing, drifting, repeat) | up to 100,000 |
The everyday release for a routine impound is modest – a small fee plus towing and storage. It is the life-threatening offences where Dubai and Abu Dhabi have introduced release fees reaching AED 50,000, and AED 100,000 in extreme cases, on top of the fine and points.
How to get your impounded car back
Clear all outstanding fines first – you can do this in the MOI UAE app or your emirate’s police service, and our guide to checking and paying UAE traffic fines walks through each channel. Then pay the impound release fee through the MOI vehicle-release service or at the police station, settle any towing and storage, and collect the car once the impound period has ended. In Abu Dhabi you can confirm the total via TAMM or the Abu Dhabi Police app before you travel to the yard.
Impound, points and your record
Remember that recovering the car does not wipe the rest of the penalty. The black points from an impound-level offence stay on your licence for 12 months and can tip you toward suspension, so read our UAE black points system guide if a seizure has just landed on your record.
UAE car impound: frequently asked questions
How long is a car impounded in the UAE?
How much does it cost to release an impounded car in the UAE?
Do I have to pay my fines before releasing the car?
Where do I pay the impound release fee?
Can my car be confiscated permanently?
Does getting the car back remove the black points?
Sources: UAE Federal Traffic Law, Dubai Police, Abu Dhabi Police and the Ministry of Interior (MOI). This guide is for general information and is not legal advice. Fees vary by emirate and change – confirm the current amounts with the police or MOI before you travel. Verified July 2026.