Dubai Police issue 48,950 expired registration fines in 10 months, each AED 500 plus impoundment
By Catherine Smith GST 2 min read
Drivers caught with expired registration face AED 500, four traffic points and seven days of impoundment, as Dubai Police report 48,950 cases since January.
Dubai Police issued 48,950 fines for driving with expired vehicle registration in the first 10 months of the year, each carrying AED 500, four traffic points and seven days of vehicle impoundment, the force said on Sunday.
Brigadier Juma Salem bin Suwaidan, Director of the General Department of Traffic at Dubai Police, said the risks go beyond fines and legal penalties, particularly when motorists neglect regular technical inspections.
He urged drivers to renew registration on time and to meet all insurance, licensing and technical inspection requirements. Motorists should also check their registration and insurance expiry dates regularly, he said.
The penalty applies under traffic regulations: AED 500, four traffic points and seven days of impoundment for the vehicle.
Periodic inspections help identify mechanical faults and technical issues that could affect a vehicle’s performance and safety, Brigadier bin Suwaidan said.
Letting registration lapse can mean carrying on driving without anyone checking essential components, including tyres, brakes, lighting and steering systems. That raises the likelihood of unexpected mechanical failures that could lead to accidents, he said.
He also warned of a further exposure: a driver whose vehicle insurance has expired and who is then involved in an accident could face additional financial and legal consequences.
January recorded the highest number of violations at 6,977, Dubai Police statistics show. May recorded the lowest at 984. October, the tenth month in the figures, stood at 4,056.
Monthly counts fell from 6,573 in March to 2,601 in April and 984 in May, then climbed to 4,965 in June and 6,404 in July.
| Month | Violations |
|---|---|
| January | 6,977 |
| February | 6,768 |
| March | 6,573 |
| April | 2,601 |
| May | 984 |
| June | 4,965 |
| July | 6,404 |
| August | 4,859 |
| September | 4,763 |
| October | 4,056 |
January, February and March together account for 20,318 of the 48,950 violations, more than two in five. Across the ten months the total works out at an average of 4,895 a month.
Brigadier bin Suwaidan highlighted the smart services offered by Dubai Police and other relevant authorities, which let motorists check and pay traffic fines and complete registration renewal. He said these services help drivers avoid the additional penalties and legal consequences that follow delayed renewals.
He also encouraged vehicle owners to settle outstanding traffic fines promptly rather than let them accumulate.
For drivers, the steps set out by Dubai Police are to check registration and insurance expiry dates, schedule the technical inspection before the deadline, and keep the vehicle roadworthy.
