UAE: Black traffic points on driving licence explained; how to get them reduced

Question: I have some black points on my UAE driving licence. Can you explain what happens if I reach the limit of 24 points? Is there any way I can get the points reduced?

Response: Pursuant to your queries, as you are looking to reducing ‘Black Traffic Points’ marked against your driving licence in the UAE for traffic violations, the provisions of Ministerial Resolution No. (178) for the year 2017 on Rules and Procedures of Traffic Control (the ‘Ministerial Resolution’) may be referred.

In the UAE, whosoever possesses a valid driving licence needs to follow all the relevant traffic rules and regulations. Traffic violations by driving licence holders in the UAE are governed by the Ministerial Resolution, which contains rules regarding the ‘Black Traffic Points’ system. According to this, black points ranging from four to 24 may be imposed for serious offences.

The black points are essentially negative points imposed against an individual for violations including but not limited to speeding, driving under the influence of alcohol, reckless driving, causing injuries or deaths due to reckless driving, or causing accidents. The maximum threshold limit of such points for any driving license holder is 24.

If a person accumulates 24 black points, the competent traffic court in the relevant emirate may order suspension or confiscation of the driving license for a certain period. For some traffic violations, the traffic court may order the confiscation of the vehicle even if the black points are less than 24.

Ashish Mehta is the founder and Managing Partner of Ashish Mehta & Associates. He is qualified to practise law in Dubai, the United Kingdom and India. Full details of his firm on: www.amalawyers.com. Readers may e-mail their questions to: news@khaleejtimes.com or send them to Legal View, Khaleej Times, PO Box 11243, Dubai.