Car Impounding - Rules & Smart Impound Dubai

When any traffic rule is violated there are fines levied along with black points. The maximum number of black points on a driving license in the UAE is 24. Once the maximum number is reached, the driving license will be suspended for a year. There are certain traffic violations that can result in your car impound in Dubai & UAE.

What is Car Impound in Dubai?

When you violate a traffic rule like parking in a no parking zone or driving the vehicle under the influence of alcohol or other substances, or when you have not paid your traffic fines for so long, etc. can get your vehicle impounded. The RTA UAE has the right to tow such vehicles and seize them until action is taken by the vehicle owner. These impounded vehicles are locked at the impounded lot of the RTA Dubai. If there is no action taken by the vehicle owner which is mostly paying the fees, the vehicle will be sent for auction and any UAE resident can bid and buy the vehicle at the auction. 

Traffic Violations for Car Impound in UAE

Here’s a list of traffic violations that leads to Car Impound in the UAE. Apart from these, there can be other violations cases as well which can get your vehicle seized.  

• Driving a vehicle when under the influence of alcohol or drugs or similar substances
• Meeting with an accident that leads the death or major injuries 
• Causing damage to public and private properties
• Driving the vehicle without a number plate
• Driving a vehicle without valid or expired registration 
• Not stopping at the red signal 
• Driving in the wrong path
• Not stopping the vehicle after meeting with an accident 
• Trying to escape traffic police
• Driving beyond the proposed speed limit 
• Illegally transporting passengers or violating materials
• Modifying the look of the vehicle without official permission
• Driving a noisy vehicle
• Risking the life and safety of others and yourself
• Street racing

Amendments made to traffic rules

There were various amendments which were made to traffic rules in the Emirates of Dubai and this was done following the order which was issued by Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

The new traffic rules were issued in Decree No 30 of 2023 and it was introduced with penalties for violation of traffic and vehicles impoundment. Here are the new rules which are introduced and into effect in Dubai.

When can a car be impounded?

The article 2 & 3 of the new order reads when can a car be seized by the police. The Article 4 and 5 provides for the penalties which will be imposed on motorists violating the traffic rules. 

Below are the list of the offenses where the seizure of a vehicle can be done by the police and the penalty amount which should be paid for releasing the vehicle. 

• Riding recreational motorcycles on paved roads - Penalty amount payable for the release of vehicle is Dh 50,000
• Participating in the road races without prior permission from police - Penalty amount payable for the release of vehicle is Dh 100,000
• Vehicle modifications which will result in noise pollution when driving the vehicle - Penalty amount payable for the release of vehicle is Dh 10,000
• If the traffic penalties on the vehicle are more than Dh 6000 - As per article 4 (b) of decree the vehicle will be released according to the case after payment of the traffic fines which are imposed on the vehicle.
• Driving a vehicle reckless in a way that will affect the life, property and traffic situation and safety in the emirates. - Penalty amount payable for the release of vehicle is Dh 50,000
• After an offense running away from police - Penalty amount payable for the release of vehicle is Dh 10,000
• Red light Jump - Penalty amount payable for the release of vehicle is Dh 50,000
• Without a number plate driving vehicle on the road - Penalty amount payable for the release of vehicle is Dh 10,000
• Cars whose drivers gather for watching races or get involved in road race or in chaos for show off - Penalty amount payable for the release of vehicle is Dh 10,000
• Excessive vehicle tinting beyond a permitted limit or tinting of vehicle windshield without permit - Penalty amount payable for the release of vehicle is Dh 10,000
• Using a forged, fake obscured number plate or using it against the legislation of the Emirates - Penalty amount payable for the release of vehicle is Dh 50,000
• Wantedly hitting police van or wantedly damaging the vehicle - The penalty amount payable for the release of the vehicle is Dh 50,000
• Vehicle driving by a person of under age of 18 yrs - The penalty amount payable for the release of the vehicle is Dh 50,000
• There will be double impoundment of the vehicle if it occurs of the same offense in the same one-year period. The impoundment of the vehicle period should not exceed 90 days period and vehicle release should not exceed Dh 200,000
• If a person does not collect the vehicle after the impoundment period then the vehicle owner should pay an amount of Dh 50 for each day after the impounded period.
• If a non-citizen jumps the red light then the vehicle owner will be deported from the UAE.

What happens to the impounded car in UAE?

The impounded vehicles will be towed to the impounded lot which has all the seized cars. The vehicles are seized from 7 - 90 days depending upon the violation. For driving without a number plate, the vehicle will be impounded for 90 days. Though the vehicles are seized and are in the RTA UAE surveillance, the RTA does not take responsibility for the damages caused to the vehicle in the impounded lot. When the vehicles are in the impound yard, the vehicle owner must pay a fee of AED 100 for the release of the vehicle apart from the traffic fines violated. Additional AED 50 is charged if the vehicle is not released within the specified period. 

Smart Impound Dubai

The vehicle owners are provided with a facility to impound their vehicle at their home itself with the smart impound system in Dubai. Such home impounded cars are installed with a tracker so that the owners can’t drive them again till the fines or charges are cleared. 

The smart impound facility is available in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah as of now. AED 500 per month is charged for the tracker of the smart impound Dubai and later on AED 100 is charged for additional months. The RTA authority officials will visit your place and install the tracker correctly. 

Impounded Car Auction in the UAE

The vehicles which are left in the RTA vehicle impound area are sent for auction if the vehicle owner doesn't clear the fines and takes the vehicle. The vehicle owners are given a warning regarding the impound and if there is no response from the owner for 15 days, then the RTA will put up the vehicle for auction. Irrespective of clearing the fines or not, the vehicle owners are expected to acknowledge the warning and talk to the authorities if they want the vehicle not up for the auction.

What to do if your vehicle got impounded in the UAE?

Steps to be taken if your car is impounded in the UAE. 

• Visit the RTA or Traffic Police website and clear the fines
• If the traffic fines are huge then talk to the respective authorities and request a discount 
• Once the fines are cleared, pay the car impound fee
• Get the car released and abide by the UAE RTA traffic rules