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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.
Some of the best and the cheapest car insurance quotes in Dubai are:
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 -
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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. |
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—
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Also Read Here are 15 UAE Traffic Fines and Laws You Ought to Know
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.
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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. |
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 —
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.
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.
Dubai follows the federal limit of 24 black points. After that, a licence suspension applies under Dubai Police and RTA rules.
Abu Dhabi drivers are also allowed 24 black points. Anything above this threshold leads to suspension and possible rehabilitation requirements.
Sharjah also follows the federal system: 24 black points is the limit before suspension.
You can check black points through:
These platforms show each violation, the number of black points added and the date of issuance.
The valid methods for black point removal from the licence include:
These are the only recognised ways to remove black points from a UAE licence.
To remove black points in Dubai, you may:
Abu Dhabi offers a structured Behaviour Improvement Programme through Abu Dhabi Police. Drivers who complete the programme may reduce black points depending on eligibility.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Yes. If you do not commit any new violations, black points expire automatically after 12 months. This rule applies across all Emirates.
No. Paying fines does not remove black points. Fines and black points are treated separately in the UAE traffic system.
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.
It depends on the method:
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