UAE Car Impound Laws: Dubai has implemented strict regulations regarding traffic violations. We are thankful to the efficient UAE government for taking this initiative for drivers. The Dubai police have enforced various traffic penalties to prevent you from committing offences and also enhance the travelling experience.
This blog is specifically made for those who have faced the impoundment of their vehicles. In the new era, Dubai has officially executed new rules and regulations regarding vehicle confiscation that motorists should know before driving on the roads.
Must Read: New UAE Traffic Laws Explained: What Every Driver Must Know in 2025!What is Car Impoundment?
The vehicle impoundment is a consequence after committing the violation, which relies on the severity of the violation committed by the motorists in Dubai. The vehicle impoundment is executed on the various impacts of the violation, such as jumping on the red line, counterfeit number plates, unpaid traffic fines, unregistered vehicles and more.
Why are cars Impounded?
As I previously mentioned above, there are numerous circumstances that lead to the vehicle seizure, which are as follows:
1. Reckless Driving
The motorists fail to drive the vehicle properly on the road or, unfortunately, cause someone’s life and property security, which may result in a hefty fine of up to AED 50,000, and the vehicle being confiscated, which is decided by the court for the release.
2. Driving Underage
Dubai Police allows people over the age of 18 to legally drive on the roads. If they are found to be under the age of 18, the result leads to severe consequences: the vehicle is impounded, and they will have to pay a fine of up to AED 50,000 to liberate the vehicle.
3. Counterfeit number plate
Driving with a counterfeit number plate is utmost illegal and considered a serious offence in Dubai. If you are found under this occurrence, your vehicle will be confiscated, and you will have to pay AED 50,000 to release your vehicle.
4. Driving Under the Influence
If you are fond of drinking alcohol or drugs, in this circumstance, you should be used to stopping the vehicle. It may harm life and collapse someone’s property. If you are noticed under the eye of the police, your vehicle may be impounded, and you will need to pay at least AED 50,000 for the release.
5. Driving Without Number Plate
The majority of the motorists state that this vehicle is brand new after being caught by the police. I resonate with your statements, but the police won’t concede it. So, it is mandatory to have a valid number plate on your vehicle while driving on the road.
Failure to attach the number plate will lead to confiscation of the vehicle, and you will need to pay hefty fines of up to AED 10,000 to retrieve the vehicle.
6. Disobeying a Traffic Signal
Failure to heed the traffic signal and jumping a red light on the road will result in a serious offence and lead to severe consequences. However, they result in a vehicle seizure, and they will have to pay AED 50,000 for the vehicle redemption.
7. Traffic Fines
Traffic fines are regulated very strictly in the UAE compared to other countries; nevertheless, the government executed a massive number of traffic violations, which are imposed after committing the traffic offense.
The fines are implemented from tiny to huge, and even there is also a vehicle suspension environment. The fines are imposed from AED 6,000 and increase accordingly based on the traffic commitment.
The vehicles are also suspended by the police as a consequence of the violation, and they can be retrieved by paying the violation penalty.
8. Evading Police
While driving, if you are escaping from the police, it is contemplated that you have incurred any incidents. In this circumstance, if you are caught by the police, they will immediately impound your vehicle and may fine you up to AED 10,000 to get your vehicle back.
9. Damaging a Police Vehicle
No one wants to damage government property because they know the consequences. Similarly, if you are found in the subject of damaging a police vehicle, your vehicle will be impounded and you will be penalized up to AED 50,000 to have it returned.
10. Recreational Motorcycle Riding
Motorists are not allowed to operate recreational (off-road) motorcycles on paved roads. If you are found in this case, your vehicle will be impounded, and you will get it by paying the abiding fine of up to AED 50,000.
How do you retrieve your Impounded Car in the UAE?
Somehow, if your vehicle has been impounded, the following questions arise in your mind and they are: How to get your vehicle back. Here I have articulated some key points that assist you on how to retrieve vehicles:
If you think that you can get your vehicle back during the period of impoundment, you are thinking wrong. The UAE is very strict in terms of traffic regulations, so it is only possible to get your car back after the impound period has expired.
Otherwise, if your car has been impounded for a period of time and your car has exceeded the impound period, you will have to pay AED 50 per day again in this section.
Here’s How to Release Impounded Vehicle in Dubai
Before proceeding to the vehicle withdrawal stage, you should have to gather some documents which are as follows:
- Emirates ID or passport.
- Your driving license.
- Proof of car ownership (such as a car registration card).
- Any fines or fees you may have to pay.
Now, you will have to check the traffic fines through any government website that is reliable for you and then claim for a vehicle discharge certificate from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MOI).
- Step 1: Visit the official Dubai Police website at https://www.dubaipolice.gov.ae/.
- Step 2: Tap on the “Traffic Service” section.
- Step 3: Click on “Pay Against Impound Service” on the “Inquire” tab.
- Step 4: Enter the required document (make sure the details are valid).
- You can select the preference on which you would like to inquire using Number Plate, T.C. number, Licence Details or Ticket Details.
- Step 5: Click on the “Search” button.
- Step 6: Now you will see the impound period. If your impoundment period has expired, you can get your vehicle back by paying the fine.
Preventing Vehicle Impoundment
Here are the most common key points that you need to keep an eye on to prevent vehicle impoundment. The points are as follows:
Check and pay on time:Make sure to check the fine status on time whenever you realise if anything is messed up while driving. No cost is needed to check rather it will emphasize your experience, even more reinforce it.
Follow Traffic Rules:Please always pay attention to traffic signs, as this will make you a more pleasing driver.
Evade Unauthorized Modifications:Make sure your vehicle meets Dubai’s safety criteria.
Stay Connected:Please stay connected to the official notification and follow on social media to acquire the latest updates executed by the government regarding the traffic. It demonstrates you to be a more responsible driver.
Conclusion
The Dubai Police Department has proclaimed the most common traffic laws about the impoundment of vehicles in the Emirate of Dubai, which is executed very consciously. As aforementioned, if you have followed the following points, it may alleviate almost all the hurdles that you worried about. It will fulfill the joy and elevate your driving experiences when navigating on the road, and lead you to the peak level.
FAQs
How to avoid impounds in Dubai?
The best way to avoid the impounds in Dubai is to avoid breaking the traffic rules and the signage of the road.
What happens if I fail to retrieve my vehicle on time?
If you fail to retrieve your vehicle on time, in this circumstance, the fine will increase by AED 50 per day.
