In the UAE the fine is only half the penalty. The other half is black points – a federal tally on your driving licence that, once it hits 24, takes the licence away. This guide explains how the UAE black points system works in 2026, how many points the common violations carry, how long they last, and how to check and clear them. To model your own risk, use our UAE black points calculator.
What black points are
Black points are penalty points added to your licence alongside the dirham fine for serious traffic violations. They are federal, so they follow you across every emirate on one national record held by the Ministry of Interior. Minor violations carry no points; the dangerous ones carry a lot, and the very worst can add 23 points from a single offence.
The 24-point limit and licence suspension
The system works on a rolling 12-month window. If you accumulate 24 black points within any 12-month period, your licence is suspended:
- First time reaching 24 points: 3-month suspension
- Second time: 6-month suspension
- Third time: 1-year suspension plus a mandatory driving course and retest to reinstate
Serious offences such as racing on a public road can also trigger vehicle confiscation on top of the points. Our black points calculator shows how close a given set of violations puts you to the 24-point line.
How many black points common violations carry
Points are set federally and apply the same in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and the northern emirates. These are the common ones in 2026:
| Violation | Black points | Fine (AED) |
|---|---|---|
| Exceeding the speed limit by more than 80 km/h | 23 | 3,000 |
| Reckless driving / endangering lives | 23 | 2,000 |
| Racing on a public road | 23 | 2,000 |
| Driving with no number plates | 23 | 3,000 |
| Jumping a red light | 12 | 1,000 |
| Exceeding the speed limit by more than 60 km/h | 12 | 2,000 |
| Entering a road dangerously | 8 | 1,000 |
| Dangerous overtaking | 6 | 600 |
| Using a mobile phone while driving | 4 | 800 |
| Not fastening the seatbelt | 4 | 400 |
| Tailgating | 4 | 400 |
How long black points last
Each black point stays on your record for 12 months from the date of the offence, then drops off automatically. There is no shortcut for simply paying the fine – clearing the fine does not clear the points. This is the single most misunderstood part of the system: a discounted or fully paid fine still leaves its points on your licence until the 12 months elapse.
How to check and reduce your black points
Check your points anytime in the MOI UAE app or your emirate’s police app, signed in with UAE Pass. The most reliable way to reduce them is time – drive cleanly and let the 12-month clock run each point off. Some emirates periodically run point-reduction initiatives or safe-driving programmes, so it is worth watching for those if you are near the limit. Paying fines promptly keeps the money side down, and our traffic fine discounts guide covers how, but only clean driving moves the points.
UAE black points: frequently asked questions
How many black points suspend a licence in the UAE?
How long do black points stay on my licence?
Does paying the fine remove the black points?
How do I check my black points?
Which violations carry the most black points?
Can I reduce my black points early?
Sources: UAE Federal Traffic Law and the Ministry of Interior (MOI). This guide is for general information and is not legal advice. Point values and thresholds can change – confirm the current details in the MOI app. Verified July 2026.