Dubai: Surprised by hefty fines on your car? Police explain how to prevent accumulation

Many residents have recently been surprised by hefty fines when renewing their vehicle registration.

Brigadier Jumaa Bin Suwaidan, Director of the General Traffic Department at Dubai Police, addressed this common issue on the Direct Line programme on Dubai Radio, outlining preventative measures and payment methods.

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Flexible payment and installment plans

To avoid the stress of a lump-sum payment, motorists can now settle their fines through several channels. The first option is direct payment through any official Dubai Police platform, partner banks, or other designated payment services.

For those facing significant financial pressure, a second and highly convenient option is to arrange an installment plan. “Motorists can apply for this service directly through the Dubai Police app and website,” explained Brigadier Bin Suwaidan “There is a dedicated section for settling fines in installments. Once the first installment is paid, the block on the traffic file is lifted, allowing the owner to proceed with vehicle registration renewal and other services without delay.”

Updated contact information

Brigadier Bin Suwaidan also highlighted a critical preventative measure, urging all vehicle owners to ensure their contact information is current in the traffic file system. This has become particularly important for families where multiple members drive a single registered vehicle.

“We have noticed that fines often accumulate because the registered owner, typically a parent, is unaware of violations committed by their children or other users of the vehicle,” he stated. “When your data is updated, an SMS notification is sent directly to you for every single violation recorded. This not only keeps you informed but also allows you to act as a supervisor over your vehicle’s use, promoting responsible driving among family members.”

Failure to settle accumulated fines can lead to penalties, including the impoundment of the vehicle.

Crackdown on noise violations

In a separate but related enforcement effort, the Dubai Police have deployed highly sensitive radars in quiet residential zones to clamp down on noise pollution from vehicles. Brigadier Bin Suwaidan confirmed that the sensitivity of these devices has been increased by 30 per cent to ensure maximum accuracy in detecting infractions.

Addressing concerns from some drivers who received fines despite their vehicles being brand new and unmodified, Brigadier Bin Suwaidan clarified that the radars are designed to detect loud noises.

He explained, “Even if a car is stopped at a traffic light, when the driver presses the gas pedal to rev the engine intentionally it will be trigger by the radar. Some vehicles like sport cars can produce significant noise when this done , which is what the system is designed to catch.”

“We have strategically placed these radars in areas that require peace and tranquility,” he noted. “These devices are extremely precise and operate without any human intervention, targeting the misuse of sound, such as engine revving or illegal modifications.”

He reassured the public that the system is designed to be fair and that the number of fines issued for noise violations has so far been limited, reflecting a targeted approach rather than a widespread penalty campaign.