UAE Black Points Explained: Fines, Suspension, and Removal

Know how black points work, expire, transfer, and affect your UAE driving licence

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Thinking of driving your car with an expired driving licence? Think again. You could get black points, and if they add up, your licence may be suspended or your vehicle may even be impounded.

Here is a simple guide to black points in the UAE, and how to avoid them.

What are black points?

In the UAE, black points are part of the traffic demerit system. They are meant to reduce dangerous driving habits. Some traffic violations bring not only a fine, but also black points on your driving record.

Traffic offences are usually grouped into two levels: smaller offences, like using a hand-held mobile phone while driving, may give you four black points. Bigger offences, like driving in a way that harms public or private property, can give you 23 black points. You can find the full list of violations below.

You can collect up to 23 black points in one year. If you reach 24, your licence will be suspended, and you may also face other penalties such as fines, vehicle impoundment, or a driving test again. Also, black points can affect your car insurance renewal, and some insurers may refuse to renew policies for drivers with serious offences.

Do black points expire?

Yes. Black points stay valid for 12 months from the date of the violation. If you do not get any new violations during this time and do not reach 24 points, the points will expire automatically after one year. Black points do not move from one year to the next.

If your licence is suspended after reaching the limit, the points will still reset after one year. However, if you repeat the offence, the suspension period may become longer.

For how long does a driver’s licence get suspended?

In Dubai, the suspension period depends on how many times you have reached the black point limit within 12 months. The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) usually applies the following rules if a driver gets 24 black points in one year:

First offence: Three-month licence suspension
Second offence: Six-month licence suspension
Third offence: One-year licence suspension, plus a mandatory driving retest

After suspension, you need to wait until the period ends, pay all traffic fines, and then request licence reinstatement. If it is your third offence, you must also take driving lessons again and pass a new test before getting your licence back.

How do I check if I have black points?

When you commit a traffic violation, you usually get an SMS within 48 hours from the police authority in that emirate. The message will show the violation, the fine, and any black points.

To check your black point balance, you may need your UAE PASS login, driving licence number, vehicle plate number, and sometimes your Emirates ID.

You can check black points on different platforms:

Online, via police websites or apps:

Dubai: You can use the Dubai Police website or the Dubai Police app, and follow these steps:

Go to the Services section and select Traffic Services.
Click on Inquire about traffic violations.
Enter your driving licence number, plate number (optional), or Emirates ID.
Submit the details to see your black points and fines.

You can also use the RTA website or the RTA Dubai app:

Log in with UAE PASS.
Click on Driver and Car Owner Services.
Select Inquire About Fines and Black Points.
Enter your driving licence number and vehicle plate number.
View your black points and unpaid fines.

Abu Dhabi: Visit the Abu Dhabi Police website or app. You can also use the Abu Dhabi government portal, TAMM, or the TAMM app, to check your traffic violations. If you are using the TAMM app, follow these steps:

Log in using your UAE PASS.
Select the My TAMM option from the bottom menu.
Go to the My Vehicles widget, then open the Black Points widget to see your balance.

Other emirates: For other emirates, visit the relevant police website and follow similar steps:

Sharjah Police: shjpolice.gov.ae
Ajman Police: ajmanpolice.gov.ae
Fujairah Police: fujairahpolice.gov.ae
Ras Al Khaimah Police: rakpolice.gov.ae
Umm Al Quwain Police: uaqpolice.gov.ae

You can also check black points through the Ministry of Interior website or the MOI UAE app. If you are using the MOI UAE app, follow these steps:

Log in with your UAE PASS details.
On the home screen, tap the traffic file summary widget. It will show your total black points for the year.

In person:

If you prefer to check offline, visit your emirate’s police station or traffic department service centre. You will need your Emirates ID and driving licence.

In Dubai, you can also visit RTA Customer Happiness Centres or use RTA Smart Kiosks in some shopping malls. These self-service kiosks let you check black points and pay fines. Here is how:

Select Traffic Inquiry.
Enter your driving licence and Emirates ID details.
View your fines and black points instantly.

Can I reduce or remove my black points?

Yes, there are a few ways to reduce or remove black points:

Wait for expiry: Black points expire after 12 months, so if you avoid new violations, they will drop off automatically.

Transfer points: If someone else was driving your vehicle when the black points were issued, they may be able to transfer the points to their own licence through official channels.

Special discounts: The UAE sometimes offers black point reduction during special occasions such as Eid and Ramadan.

Sign a pledge: On August 28 every year, the Ministry of Interior marks Accident-Free Day. On this day, you may be able to sign a safe driving pledge and get a point reduction. You can check the MOI website closer to the date.

Take a defensive driving course: In Dubai, you can remove up to eight black points by completing an approved safety or awareness course from the RTA and Dubai Police. In other emirates, similar options may be available through approved driving institutes. These courses focus on defensive driving, traffic laws, and road safety.

To register via Dubai Police:

Open the Dubai Police app, then go to Services and Traffic Services.
Click on Traffic Training Course and enter your details, including your Emirates ID and traffic code number.
You will receive the next steps.

Can I transfer my black points to someone else?

If you got a traffic fine and black points while driving someone else’s car in the UAE, you may pay the fine yourself. But what about the black points?

Black points are linked to the driving licence under which the car is registered, not the vehicle itself. So, if you were driving a relative’s car, the black points may appear on their driving licence instead of yours.

There is a solution. UAE traffic authorities allow black points to be transferred to the correct driving licence in some cases. You can do this online or by visiting the traffic department at a police station.

Information required: To transfer black points, you will need your Emirates ID, driving licence, the car owner’s traffic code number, and your own traffic code number.

A traffic code number, also called a traffic file number, is an eight-digit number linked to your driving licence and the vehicles registered in your name. If you own more than one car, the traffic code number stays the same for all of them.

You can find your traffic code number on your UAE driving licence or vehicle registration card (Mulkiya).

Steps to transfer black points

Dubai: If the traffic violation happened in Dubai, you can use the Dubai Police app to transfer black points. Here is how:

Log in to the Dubai Police app using UAE PASS.
Go to Services and choose Fines Inquiry and Payment.
Enter the plate source, number, and code, or simply enter the traffic code number under which the black points were registered.
Enter your own traffic code number to transfer the black points and complete the service.

Abu Dhabi: Use the TAMM app to transfer black points:

Download the TAMM app and log in with your UAE PASS.
Tap Services, then Entities, and select Abu Dhabi Police.
Search for Transfer black points and choose Request to transfer black points to the driving licence. Then tap Start service.
Select I wish to claim black points on behalf of others.
Enter the traffic code number where the black points are registered and tap Search. After confirmation, the black points will move under your traffic code number.

All other emirates: The MOI website and MOI UAE app offer a simple process for black point transfer if the violation happened in Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, or Fujairah.

Log in to the MOI UAE app with your UAE PASS details.
Go to Services and select Traffic Services.
Tap Register black points.
Search for black points by using option 2 or 3 in the menu:

- My Fines section

- Enter owner’s traffic code number

- Enter owner’s plate number, including the owner’s traffic code number, plate source, code, and type

After entering the details, tap Search. The app will show the black points under the traffic code number or plate number.
Choose the fine for the violation.
You will receive a one-time password on your registered mobile number. Enter the OTP.
Then enter your traffic code number and tap Register black points. The black points will then be transferred to your licence.

Traffic violations that carry black points

Here is the full list of traffic offences that can lead to black points in the UAE.

Two black points:

Using broken rear lights or rear lights that do not work.
Using broken indicators or indicators that do not work.

Four black points:

Using a heavy vehicle to enter a non-designated area.
Driving in the opposite direction of traffic.
Not following loading and unloading rules in approved zones.
Driving an unregistered vehicle.
Driving without a valid licence, or with an expired licence.
Driving without valid insurance.
Entering a road without first making sure it is clear.
Not wearing a seatbelt.
Not following a traffic officer’s instructions.
Driving carelessly or without attention.
Using a phone or any other distracting device while driving.
Making turns that are not allowed or not safe.
Changing lanes suddenly without using an indicator.
Driving at a speed that does not match the road limit.
Disturbing others by honking or playing loud sound system.
Driving in fog against the instructions of the authorities.
Not using headlights in foggy weather.
Unsafe loading of a small vehicle.
Not using headlights at night while driving.
Turning in the wrong direction.
A trailer with broken rear lights or side lights.
Driving with worn-out tyres.
Riding a two-wheeler without a helmet.
Carrying more passengers than allowed.
Using a vehicle for a purpose other than its approved use.

Six black points:

Failing to load heavy vehicles properly and causing danger.
Loading vehicles in a way that damages public or private property.
Driving a vehicle that does not meet the required safety standards.
Driving a vehicle that does not meet environmental standards and helps increase pollution.
School bus drivers not using the Stop sign or not following traffic rules.
Driving up to 60 km/h above the speed limit.
Overtaking from the hard shoulder.
Not following safety standards when entering a road.
Parking in reserved places.
Stopping on the highway without a valid reason.
Not giving way to pedestrians at a crossing.
Littering from the vehicle window while driving.

Eight black points:

Taking a prohibited route.
Leaving the scene of a minor accident.

10 black points:

Not stopping your vehicle when a school bus has its Stop sign on.

12 black points:

Driving with the wrong licence.
Using the wrong lane for heavy vehicles.
Load leaking or falling from a heavy truck.
Jumping a red light while riding a motorcycle or other light motor vehicle.
Driving more than 60 km/h above the speed limit.
Changing the engine or chassis without prior approval.
Running away from a police officer in a light vehicle.

16 black points:

Running away from a police officer in a heavy vehicle.
Not stopping after a heavy vehicle accident.

23 black points:

Exceeding the speed limit by more than 80 km/h.
Causing a major accident or injury.
Causing a death.
Driving without a number plate.
Driving under the influence of alcohol.
Causing damage to public or private property while driving.

24 black points:

Transporting flammable or dangerous items without prior approval.
Transporting passengers illegally.
Driving under the influence of psychotropic substances, narcotics, or similar drugs.