Awatif Mohammad Shoqi Advocates & Legal Consultancy | View firm profile
The UAE traffic laws are stipulated under Federal Decree Law No. 14 of 2024. These laws are applicable throughout the UAE, across the seven Emirates. It is important to follow these rules to ensure the safety of road users and to avoid incurring hefty fines and penalties. Repetition of offences generally lead to aggravated penalties. Here are the major traffic violations in the UAE that everyone should be aware of, and their corresponding penalties.
Driving while Intoxicated
Driving under the influence is a major reason for accidents and fatalities on the road. The UAE has strict laws against driving under the influence of intoxicants. If a person operates a vehicle under the influence of alcohol, he/she may be subject to imprisonment and/or fine between AED 20,000 and AED 100,000. The act may also result in the suspension of the driving license for one month in case of the first offence and two months in case of the second offence. A third offence will lead to the revocation of the driving license.
If a person drives under the influence of drugs, the fine may be between AED 30,000 and AED 200,000 and/or imprisonment. In this case, the first offence will lead to 6 months’ suspension of license, second offence for one year and the third offence will lead to revocation of the license.
Nonetheless, if a person driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs or other psychotropic substances causes the death of another person, he/ she may be imprisoned for up to a year, and/or fined a minimum of AED 100,000.
Can I drive with a foreign license in the UAE?
Driving with a suspended license or a foreign license
Driving with a suspended license could lead to a fine of at least AED 10,000 and /or imprisonment of up to three months. Furthermore, if a person drives with a foreign license that is not recognized in the UAE, he/she may be fined between AED 2000 and AED 10,000. Reoffence will lead to a higher fine of AED 5000 to AED 50,000 and/or imprisonment.
Certain foreign licenses are recognized in the UAE and person can drive in the country if he has a recognized foreign license.
Driving without a license
Driving without a license, or with a license that does not include the particular type of vehicle will lead to a fine between AED 5000 to AED 50,000 and/or imprisonment. Reoffence will lead to a higher fine.
If driving with a suspended or revoked license causes the death of another person, it will lead to a minimum fine of AED 100,000 and/or imprisonment
Causing a death due to negligent driving
If a person causes the death of another person due to his negligent driving, he may be liable to be imprisoned and/or fined a minimum of AED 50,000.
Running a red light
Running a red light will incur a fine in the UAE. However, if a driver causes an accident and death of another person due to running a red light, it will lead to a fine of a minimum of AED 100,000 and/or imprisonment for a minimum of one year.
Misuse of license plate
A license plate serves as an identifier of a car. In the UAE, the license plate of a vehicle must be in the form as prescribed by law. Forging a license plate or using a forged license plate, distorting a license plate, allowing another person to use the license without following due process, etc. will lead to a minimum fine of AED 20,000 and/or imprisonment.
Failure to cooperate with traffic officials or police officers
The UAE laws impose strict penalties on individuals who do not co-operate with law enforcement agencies or flees the scene of accidents. This includes not stopping the vehicle after causing an accident and refusing to provide information, or providing the wrong information to officials. These types of actions can lead to a fine between AED 10,000 and AED 100,000, and/or imprisonment.
Can I be penalized under traffic laws even if I am not driving?
The traffic laws in the UAE states that a person who crosses the road outside the designated areas and causes a traffic accident can be penalized or imprisoned. Such acts can lead to a fine between AED 5000 and AED 10,000. The offence will lead to graver punishments if a person commits such act on a road with a speed limit of 80 km/h or more. In such cases, the possible fine will be a minimum of AED 10,000, or imprisonment of a minimum of 3 month, or both.
Author: Dr. Hassan Elhais