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How to Remove/Reduce Black Points from Driving Licence in UAE

Getting black points on your driving licence is something most UAE motorists worry about, especially when a small mistake suddenly shows up as a penalty. The rules are simple, but the options to remove or reduce these points are not always explained clearly. Every Emirate follows the same federal traffic law, yet each one offers its own way of handling point reductions, awareness courses and licence suspensions. ...read more

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What Are Black Points in the UAE?

Black points are part of the UAE’s federal traffic penalty system. When a driver commits certain traffic violations, a specific number of points is added to their licence. These points act as a record of repeated risky behaviour and help authorities decide when stricter action is required. The system is designed to prevent serious accidents, not to punish everyday drivers.

Unlike fines, which apply to the vehicle, black points are always linked to the driver’s licence. If you accumulate too many within a single year, your licence can be suspended, and in some cases, your vehicle may be impounded depending on the violation.

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How Black Points Are Calculated in the UAE?

Each traffic violation has a fixed number of points. Minor violations carry fewer points, while serious offences such as reckless driving, causing an accident or driving under the influence result in the highest penalties. Once the points are added, they remain on your record until -

  • They expire after the legally defined period, or
  • You take part in an approved programme to reduce them (offered by different Emirates), or
  • You reach the maximum limit and face suspension, after which the points reset.

Important Note for Drivers

Even if you live in one Emirate and commit a violation in another, the black points still apply to your UAE driving licence, as the system is centralised across the country.

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How Many Black Points Are Allowed in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah & Other Emirates?

While the limit of black points is the same everywhere, the way each Emirate handles point reduction programmes or licence suspension procedures can differ slightly. Many drivers search for answers like how many black points are allowed in Dubai or how many black points are allowed in Abu Dhabi, and the confusion usually comes from the fact that each authority publishes its own guidelines. The core rule, however, remains the same: 24 black points is the maximum allowed across the UAE. Below is a simple table summarising the limit for each Emirate — 

Emirate Maximum Black Points Allowed Notes
Dubai 24 black points Managed by RTA Dubai; suspension applies once the limit is reached.
Abu Dhabi 24 black points Abu Dhabi Police may also apply vehicle impoundment depending on the violation.
Sharjah 24 black points Same federal limit; Sharjah Police offers reduction courses at certain times.
Ajman 24 black points All points registered through the MOI central system.
Ras Al Khaimah 24 black points Local police handle suspension and impound release rules.
Fujairah 24 black points Same federal threshold; reduction options vary.
Umm Al Quwain 24 black points Follows federal law with local enforcement procedures.

What Happens If You Get 24 Black Points In Dubai?

Once a driver reaches the 24-point limit, the consequences start immediately, and the following steps are taken by traffic authorities across the UAE—

  1. Your driving licence is suspended for a defined period.
  2. The suspension length increases if it is not your first time reaching the limit.
  3. In some cases, your vehicle may be impounded, depending on the violation.
  4. You may be required to complete a rehabilitation or awareness programme before the licence is reinstated.
  5. Once the suspension ends, your black points reset to zero, giving you a clean slate to start again.

Also Read Here are 15 UAE Traffic Fines and Laws You Ought to Know

How to Remove Black Points from Driving Licence in UAE?

Black points can feel intimidating, but the UAE offers several legitimate ways to reduce them, as long as you act before the 24-point limit is reached. 

  • Government-Approved Courses and Behaviour Improvement Programmes: Across the UAE, traffic authorities periodically offer awareness or behaviour improvement courses to help drivers understand risk, avoid repeat violations and correct driving habits. Completing these training sessions can lead to a reduction of black points, depending on the Emirate and the specific programme. While each authority manages its own system, the approach is similar everywhere: you attend the approved course, complete the assessment or workshop and your points are reduced accordingly.
  • Limited-Time Government Initiatives (Only When Announced): The UAE occasionally announces special campaigns tied to national events or safety drives. These are not year-round opportunities, but they apply only during the stated period.

What’s New in the UAE!

Sharjah’s National Day Black Points Waiver (Active Until January 10, 2026)!!!

In honour of UAE National Day, Sharjah Police is offering drivers a rare chance to clear accumulated black points from their licence. The rules are simple: if your violations occurred before December 1, 2025, you can have the associated black points cancelled completely, as long as you settle all related fines no later than January 10, 2026.

  • Natural Expiry of Black Points: Under the UAE traffic system, black points expire automatically after 12 months, provided you do not commit additional violations during that period. For drivers who have only a few points on their record, this is often an effortless way to reset the slate.
  • Post-Suspension Reset: If a driver reaches 24 black points, the licence is suspended. Once the suspension period ends and any required rehabilitation steps are completed, the black points reset to zero. This is not a “removal method” but a system reset that happens after fulfilling all penalty requirements.

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Emirate-Wise Black Points Removal & Reduction (2025 Updates)

Across the UAE, the federal traffic point system is the same, but each emirate may offer its own programmes, campaigns or unique services that help motorists reduce or clear black points from their driving licences.

Below is an updated breakdown of what’s current and specific to each Emirate as of 2025.

Dubai – Smart Options for Black Points Dubai

  • Traffic Awareness / Defensive Courses: Dubai Police and RTA-approved driving centres sometimes run courses that allow motorists to reduce up to 8 black points upon successful completion. These courses cover safe driving and traffic law awareness.
  • Point Transfers: If someone else was driving your car, you can transfer black points to the actual driver via the Dubai Police platform.
  • White Points / Incentives: Dubai often rewards safe drivers through programmes such as “White Points,” which reward compliant driving records and can offset some violations in some cases.
  • How to clear black points in Dubai: Book and complete an approved traffic awareness course or wait for the expiry period based on your record.

Abu Dhabi – Reduction & Reinstatement Programmes

  • Localised Traffic Education Drives: As part of a 2025 initiative, Abu Dhabi Police offered a traffic points reduction and licence reinstatement programme at Mushrif Mall (20 Oct – 20 Nov 2025), allowing eligible drivers to reduce black points through structured educational sessions.
  • Licence Reinstatement Support: Drivers who reached 24 black points could attend courses and fulfil requirements to reinstate their licence under the campaign.
  • Other Reduction Methods: Abu Dhabi Police and TAMM platforms allow enforcement-approved traffic awareness courses and point transfers when someone else was driving.
  • How to remove black points in Abu Dhabi: Join official traffic awareness or police-led reduction programmes when available.

Sharjah – National Day Black Points Waiver (Limited Time)

  • 2025 National Day Initiative: Sharjah Police introduced a black points waiver allowing motorists to cancel black points for violations committed before December 1, 2025, provided fines are settled within the defined waiver period.
  • Fine Discounts: The same programme includes fine discount schemes that help drivers settle penalties more affordably while addressing points and fines together.
  • Exclusions: Serious and aggravated violations are generally excluded from waivers and discounts.
  • How to remove black points in Sharjah: Participate in the current waiver and pay all outstanding fines before the deadline.

Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah & Umm Al Quwain  – Standard No-Frills Process

  • MOI-Unified System: Ajman follows the standard UAE traffic system through the Ministry of Interior portal and local police channels.
  • Traffic Awareness Courses: Eligible drivers can attend approved courses (via police service centres) to reduce up to 8 black points when courses are offered.
  • How to remove black points in Ajman: Enrol in a traffic awareness course when available or wait for natural expiry.

Know About 11 Safety Tips for New and Amateur Teen Drivers

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Top 5 Mistakes That Quickly Add Black Points in Dubai

These are the violations that most commonly lead to black points, and they happen more often than drivers realise. Keeping an eye on these five will lower your chances of accumulating points.

  1. Speeding Beyond the High-Risk Threshold: Small speeding fines don’t carry black points, but major speed violations do. Exceeding the limit by a large margin (especially on highways) can add 6–12 black points instantly.
  2. Jumping a Red Light: Running a red signal is one of the fastest ways to lose control of your driving record. This single mistake leads to major black points, vehicle impound and a mandatory fine.
  3. Using a Mobile Phone While Driving: Even a two-second glance at your phone can result in black points under distracted driving laws. Dubai and Abu Dhabi enforce this strictly through smart radars and AI cameras.
  4. Not Giving Way in School Zones or to Pedestrians: Failing to stop for pedestrians or speeding in school areas is heavily penalised. Authorities treat school zones as high-sensitivity areas, and violations often come with severe black points.
  5. Reckless Lane Changes & Hard-Shoulder Overtaking: Sudden swerves, cutting across lanes or using the hard shoulder to overtake are considered dangerous driving. These actions often result in immediate black points and can lead to impoundment depending on the Emirate.

When Should I Consider Reducing Black Points in the UAE?

Ideally, you should consider reducing your black points right away, even when you only have 4 black points on your license. However, it is acceptable in the UAE for people with even 23 black points to drive. But know that you will be walking, or in this case driving, on very thin ice. If you have 23 black points already, consider trying one of the ways to reduce the points.

Why Should I Reduce Black Points Right Away?

You may be thinking that if it is legal to drive with a few black points, what’s the need to attend seminars and classes just to get back to zero. The important thing that every car owner should know here is that black points directly affect your car insurance prices. If you gain black points in your license, you are seen as an irresponsible driver which is a risk for the car insurance company to insure. Car insurance companies tend to offer a higher premium to vehicles and owners that are considered high-risk customers. This simply means the more black points you have on your license, the higher your car insurance premium will get. Similarly, maintain a no-black-points streak will help you get significant discounts on premium of car insurance in UAE. So, no matter how many black points you have as of the moment, consider bringing them to zero as soon as you can.

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Black Points to Be Aware of on a Rainy Day in the UAE - What’s New in the UAE

Driving on a rainy day without proper measures is not only a safety hazard but also comes with grave legal consequences. Here are some fines and black points related to driving on a rainy day in the UAE —

1. Driving into Flooded Areas

  • Traffic Fine — Up to AED 2,000
  • Black Points — 23
  • Vehicle Impoundment — 60 days

2. Driving or Standing near Dams and Valleys 

  • Traffic Fine — AED 1,000
  • Black Points — 6

3. Using a Mobile Phone While Driving to Take Photos

  • Traffic Fine — AED 800
  • Black Points — 4

4. Obstructing Authorities during Emergencies

  • Traffic Fine — AED 1,000
  • Black Points — 4
  • Vehicle Impoundment — 60 days

5. Not Abiding by the Speed Limit

  • Driving 20 km per hour over the limit — AED 300 traffic fine
  • Driving over 80 km per hour above the limit — AED 3,000 traffic fine, black points, and vehicle impoundment for 60 days

6. Driving with Hazard Lights on

  • Traffic Fine — AED 500
  • Black Points — 4

7. Changing Lanes without an Indicator 

  • Traffic Fine — AED 400

Conclusion

The system of black points in the UAE is designed to ensure traffic safety and security for all. However, not knowing how to get your black points settled can make driving a bit hard in the UAE. To make sure that you are on top of your driving and road safety game, always try and resolve your black points as soon as you get them. If it is because of a lack of a valid car insurance plan, get yours renewed, if it is due to a traffic law violation, take a safe driving seminar, etc. In short, be prompt and reduce the black points on your license before they reach a higher, more complicated number.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How many black points are allowed in the UAE?

Drivers across the UAE, including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Fujairah, RAK and UAQ, are allowed a maximum of 24 black points within 12 months. Once you accumulate 24 points, the licence gets suspended.

How many black points are allowed in Dubai?

Dubai follows the federal limit of 24 black points. After that, a licence suspension applies under Dubai Police and RTA rules.

How many black points are allowed in Abu Dhabi?

Abu Dhabi drivers are also allowed 24 black points. Anything above this threshold leads to suspension and possible rehabilitation requirements.

How many black points are allowed in Sharjah?

Sharjah also follows the federal system: 24 black points is the limit before suspension.

How do I check black points on my UAE driving licence?

You can check black points through:

  • the MOI UAE website or app (works for all Emirates),
  • the Dubai Police app (for Dubai licences), or
  • TAMM / Abu Dhabi Police app (for Abu Dhabi residents).

These platforms show each violation, the number of black points added and the date of issuance.

How do I remove black points from my licence in the UAE?

The valid methods for black point removal from the licence include:

  • taking an approved traffic awareness or behaviour improvement course,
  • participating in a government-announced initiative,
  • or waiting for black points to expire after 12 months of clean driving.

These are the only recognised ways to remove black points from a UAE licence.

How do I remove black points in Dubai?

To remove black points in Dubai, you may:

  • attend Dubai Police-approved awareness courses when announced,
  • transfer points to the actual driver if someone else committed the violation,
  • Or wait for the annual expiry period if no other violations occur.

How do I clear black points in Abu Dhabi?

Abu Dhabi offers a structured Behaviour Improvement Programme through Abu Dhabi Police. Drivers who complete the programme may reduce black points depending on eligibility.

How do I remove black points in Sharjah?

Sharjah Police occasionally launches limited-time initiatives, such as the UAE National Day black point waiver. Drivers must follow the exact rules of the active campaign. Otherwise, black points in Sharjah are managed through MOI standard procedures.

How do I remove black points in Ajman?

Ajman follows the MOI system. Drivers can remove black points by taking approved traffic safety courses (when offered) or allowing the points to expire after 12 months.

How do I reduce black points in the UAE without attending a course?

If no awareness course or campaign is active, the only alternative is to maintain a clean driving record for 12 months, which automatically clears existing black points.

What happens if you get 24 black points in Dubai?

Reaching 24 black points in Dubai results in immediate licence suspension. The suspension period depends on your driving history. Once the suspension is completed, the black points reset to zero.

Do black points expire in the UAE?

Yes. If you do not commit any new violations, black points expire automatically after 12 months. This rule applies across all Emirates.

Can I remove black points by paying fines?

No. Paying fines does not remove black points. Fines and black points are treated separately in the UAE traffic system.

Can black points be transferred to another driver?

Yes, if someone else was driving your car at the time of the violation. You can transfer black points through the MOI, Dubai Police or Abu Dhabi Police systems by submitting the actual driver’s details.

How quickly can black points be removed?

It depends on the method:

  • Courses remove points immediately upon completion.
  • Government initiatives remove them during the promotional period.
  • Expiry takes 12 months of clean driving.
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Last Updated At - 11 December 2025
Tanvi Pathak

Tanvi Pathak

Team Lead-Content

Tanvi joined Policybazaar.ae as an insurance writer in 2022. Her focus areas have been term, life, and motor insurance. With an understanding of industry trends in UAE, she strives to deliver measurable results via informative blogs and conversion-centric landing pages. She is a goal-oriented professional with over 7 years of digital marketing experience. Her curiosity to stay updated with recent trends ensures that you keep in touch with every industry trend through her blogs, articles, and landing pages.

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