Latest Fines and Traffic Law Changes in Dubai and Abu Dhabi

Dubai: It is always prudent to drive responsibly to keep roads safer. Good driving practices help protect vehicles and pedestrians on the road, along with avoiding any potential fines for violations of traffic rules. Two of the UAE's biggest cities, Dubai and Abu Dhabi, are prime examples where safer driving is promoted and offenders are strictly penalised. 

In 2025, new laws and significant fine increases have taken effect in both cities. One traffic mistake can now cost you thousands of dirhams; it doesn’t stop there. Accumulate two offences and your license will be suspended, and if you still don’t act, after the third violation, you face mandatory driving school before retesting. 

Ensuring safer driving practices and helping reduce accidents has become critical as growing traffic poses challenges in both cities. To make sure rules are followed diligently, authorities are taking the help of advanced technology to catch offenders more effectively. There is a clear intention that authorities want to make Dubai and Abu Dhabi’s roads safer. At the same time, sending a stern warning that driving responsibly now matters more than ever or risk heavy financial and legal consequences. Hence, it is vital to not just adopt best driving practices but also stay informed. This is the new reality for every driver in both cities.

Red Light Running

It starts with the basic but highly important aspect of driving. Running a red light in Dubai is now charged at AED 50,000, with 23 black points, and a 30-day vehicle impound. It is not a typo, think of it, fifty thousand dirhams.

While in Abu Dhabi, red light violations cost less upfront, in the range of AED 1,000-3,000, but with 12 black points and a 30-day impound. If the red light infraction causes an accident with injuries or death, both Emirates have provisions for jail time.

And, as a driver in both cities, you must consider the fact that modern cameras catch everything now. Infrared technology, AI processing, multiple angles, and you can't game it. If you run a red light, the system likely already has photos.

Reckless Driving

This is the new penalty in Dubai, reckless driving, which essentially covers sudden lane changes, tailgating, aggressive manoeuvres, costs AED 2,000 in fines, 23 black points, and 60 days without your vehicle. Think of it, that’s nearly two months of no car. You are no longer able to commute and are essentially stuck with public transport. Abu Dhabi treats reckless driving similarly but categorises it by severity, with fines ranging from AED 500 to AED 2,000 depending on the specific violation.

Illegal Racing

Street racing now carries an AED 100,000 penalty. That's not a deterrent; it is serious money that actually hurts. And there is a potential jail time if the racing endangers others. This applies to both emirates. If you think it's clever to race on empty Dubai streets at 3 AM, that AED 100,000 fine says otherwise.

Phone While Driving

Using your phone while driving costs AED 800 and 4 black points. This includes holding, texting, or calling. The new AI cameras can detect phone use even at red lights. Modern infrared technology looks inside your vehicle. It sees if your hand is up; it doesn't care what brand your car is or if your windows are tinted. The cameras work in daylight, darkness, and rain, and it's wise to avoid using phones while driving, which will save you and pedestrians and help avoid fines. 

Seatbelts

As per the law in both cities, it is mandatory for every person in your car to wear a seatbelt. Driver, front passenger, back seats, all of them. If anyone, even one passenger, misses it, you get fined AED 400 and 4 black points. Children under 4 need a proper child safety seat. The same AED 400 fine applies if they don't have one. And you can’t get away with this or even argue against, as smart cameras that detect seatbelt violations through tinted windows. You're not getting away with this one.

Abu Dhabi just cracked down on drivers who stay put after minor accidents. If you have a fender-bender and don't move to a safe spot, you face an AED 1,000 fine and 6 black points. The app lets you report non-injury incidents in five minutes. Use it, shift your car, avoid the fine. The goal is simple: clear the road so traffic flows. Sit in the accident spot blocking lanes, and you're getting punished.

Discounts in Abu Dhabi 

City Police rewards fast fine payers, let say if you pay traffic fine within 60 days and get 35% off. Miss that deadline, but pay within a year, you still get 25% off. The discount applies to nearly all fines and saves a lot of money, which is an encouragement for clearing the dues as early as possible. If you get hit with an AED 1,000 fine, early payment drops it to AED 650.

Three-Hour Accident Reporting: A must

As per a new rule across the UAE, not just Dubai and Abu Dhabi, reporting any accident within three hours is a must; if it is not done, then ready to face serious consequences. Missing the deadline means AED 50,000-100,000 in fines plus potential jail time. Three hours, that's from the time of the accident. No exceptions. You can use the app, call the police, or make a report. Do it within the window or face the hammer.

Speed Limits

Dubai gives you a 20 km/h buffer above the posted limit. A 100 km/h speed limit means you can do 120 km/h without a fine. 

But in Abu Dhabi, no such concession is allowed; basically zero tolerance for overspending. Whatever the sign says is the max. Abu Dhabi scrapped the minimum speed requirement on Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Road. You can now drive 80 km/h without getting fined. It is necessary to properly check local signs. Speed limits change by the road and weather conditions.

Violation	Description	Penalty / Fine (AED)	Additional Consequences	Notes
Drunk Driving	Driving under the influence	Mandatory 1-year license suspension	Possible jail time and court fines	Zero tolerance policy, first offense license suspension mandatory
Vehicle Modifications	Any unapproved modifications (paint, kits, engine)	10,000	Must get approval from RTA or Abu Dhabi Municipality	Avoid fine by official permission
Fleeing from Police	Evading police during traffic stop	10,000	Serious offense due to danger, strict stance by police	High-speed chase endangers public
Black Points System	Accumulate 24 points in a year	Suspension for 3 months	2nd offense: 6 months suspension; 3rd offense: 1 year suspension + driving school + retest	Points reset yearly with fine payment or school course
Parking Violations - Pavement	Parking on pavement	400		Common violation
Parking Violations - Illegal	Parking illegally	500		Includes blocking traffic
Parking Violations - Blocking	Blocking traffic	1,000		Serious traffic obstruction

Delivery Bikes Banned

Dubai banned delivery bikes from high-speed lanes starting November 1, 2025. On roads with five lanes or more, delivery riders are not allowed to use the two leftmost lanes. On three-to-four lane roads, they won’t be able to use the furthest left lane. 

This applies to Careem, Deliveroo, Talabat, and all delivery services. Violating it costs fines and black points. Dubai Police issued 78,386 violations against delivery riders in the first nine months of 2025 alone. This clearly underlines how seriously enforced.

How to Check and Pay Fines

In Dubai, you can visit the RTA website or use the Dubai Police app. Just enter your traffic file number or vehicle registration, and you get all the necessary information. 

In Abu Dhabi, similarly, use the Abu Dhabi Police website or the Abu Dhabi e-government portal. You need your traffic ID, car plate, or license number.

Both cities offer online payment, bank instalments, and app-based solutions, which offer the convenience of avoiding office visits.

Conclusion

Dubai and Abu Dhabi traffic enforcement have tightened significantly in 2025. The enforcement is real, with the advantage of new technologies such as cameras, which work just fine. The heavy cost of fines hurts, not just that, but the black point system actually removes people from the road. Hence, it is advisable to be responsible while driving and being careful is the best policy.  Always wear seatbelts, don’t touch your phone, respect speed limits and report accidents within three hours. It is also necessary to move after minor accidents, pay attention to local rules, which differ between emirates. Remember, the first genuine mistake might be recoverable, but the second mistake starts costing you, and the third mistake is considered you're done driving for months. It's not worth it.