You’re driving home on Sheikh Zayed Road and see a flash in the mirror. Or your phone buzzes with an SMS about a violation you don’t remember. Either way, the first thought is the same: how much is this going to cost me?
The good news is that checking traffic fines in the UAE takes about two minutes, and you don’t need to visit a police station. The better news: if you pay quickly, most emirates take 35% off the bill.
This guide shows you exactly how to check traffic fines in every emirate, how to pay them, how the early payment discount works, and what to do if you think a fine is wrong.
Quick answer: The easiest way to check traffic fines from any emirate is the MOI UAE app or moi.gov.ae. You can also use the Dubai Police or RTA apps for Dubai, and TAMM or the Abu Dhabi Police app for Abu Dhabi. Search by plate number, Emirates ID, licence number or traffic file number. In Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Ajman, paying within 60 days usually gets you a 35% discount.
Where to Check Traffic Fines in Each Emirate
Fines are linked to your vehicle and licence across the whole country. A Dubai-registered car caught by a radar in Abu Dhabi will show the fine in both systems, because records are shared through the Ministry of Interior’s unified platform. So you can use whichever channel you find easiest.
| Emirate | Best places to check | Login needed? |
|---|---|---|
| All emirates | MOI UAE app or moi.gov.ae | UAE Pass for full access |
| Dubai | Dubai Police app or website, RTA app, DubaiNow app | No, for a plate number search |
| Abu Dhabi and Al Ain | TAMM, Abu Dhabi Police app or website | UAE Pass on TAMM and the app |
| Sharjah | Sharjah Police website, MOI UAE app | Depends on the service |
| Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, Umm Al Quwain | MOI UAE app or moi.gov.ae | UAE Pass for full access |
What you’ll need: your plate number, plate code and emirate of registration, or your Emirates ID, driving licence number or traffic file number (found on your vehicle registration card, the Mulkiya).
How to Check Traffic Fines on the MOI UAE App (All Emirates)
If you only remember one method, make it this one. The Ministry of Interior app shows fines from every emirate in one place.
- Download the MOI UAE app from the App Store or Google Play, or visit moi.gov.ae.
- Log in with your UAE Pass.
- Open Traffic Services, then Traffic Fines Payment or the fines inquiry service.
- Search by plate number, licence number or traffic file number.
- Review each fine. Tap a fine to see the date, location and violation type.
- Select the fines you want to pay and pay by credit or debit card.
Save or screenshot the receipt. If you’re renewing your car registration or selling the car soon, you may need it.
How to Check Dubai Traffic Fines
Dubai Police app or website
This is the most popular option in Dubai, and you can search without logging in.
- Open the Dubai Police app or go to the Dubai Police website.
- Choose Fines Inquiry & Payment.
- Search by plate number (with plate source and code), licence number or traffic file number.
- Check the list, select the fines and pay online.
RTA and DubaiNow apps
The RTA app and the DubaiNow app show the same Dubai fines and let you pay them. DubaiNow is handy if you already use it for DEWA bills and other Dubai services, since you can manage everything in one place.
Dubai Police also offers an instalment plan for larger fine totals (generally AED 5,000 and above). You pay part of the amount upfront and spread the rest over monthly payments. Check eligibility in the Dubai Police app or at a Smart Police Station.
How to Check Abu Dhabi Traffic Fines
Abu Dhabi and Al Ain share one traffic system run by Abu Dhabi Police, so every official channel shows the same record.
- Open the TAMM app or website and log in with UAE Pass. Alternatively, use the Abu Dhabi Police app or website.
- Go to the traffic fines service. On TAMM, it sits under driving and transport services.
- Search by plate number (emirate, code and number) or view the fines linked to your profile.
- Select and pay. The early payment discount is applied automatically when it’s available.
Good to know: the Abu Dhabi Police app can show photos of some camera violations. If you’re unsure whether a fine is yours, check the image before paying or disputing.
How to Check Traffic Fines in Sharjah and the Northern Emirates
For Sharjah, you can check through the Sharjah Police website or the MOI UAE app. For Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain, the MOI UAE app and website are the simplest option, because they bring all federal traffic records together.
If you have fines in several emirates, the MOI app saves you from checking four different websites. Just make sure you pay through an official channel only.
The 35% Early Payment Discount Explained
This is where checking regularly really pays off. Several emirates run early payment schemes that reduce your fine if you settle it quickly.
| Emirate | Pay within 60 days | Pay after 60 days, within 1 year |
|---|---|---|
| Dubai | 35% off | 25% off |
| Abu Dhabi | 35% off | 25% off |
| Sharjah | 35% off | 25% off |
| Ajman | 35% off | 25% off |
A few important conditions apply:
- Serious violations are usually excluded. Fines linked to dangerous driving, vehicle impoundment or court cases generally don’t qualify.
- The discount is applied automatically in the official apps when your fine is eligible. You don’t need to apply for it.
- Schemes can change. Emirates sometimes adjust their discounts or run extra campaigns, for example around National Day, when discounts of up to 50% have been offered. Always check the amount shown in the app before you pay.
Here’s what it means in real money. An AED 1,000 fine paid within 60 days could cost you about AED 650 instead. Paid at your annual registration renewal, many months later, you might pay AED 750 or even the full amount. Many residents lose this saving simply because they wait until renewal time.
Black Points: What Fines Do to Your Licence
Some violations come with black points as well as a fine. Black points are added to your driving licence record and stay there for 12 months.
If you collect 24 black points within a year, your licence can be suspended. Serious offences such as running a red light or reckless driving carry heavy black points and may lead to your car being impounded. Minor offences, like small speeding margins, often carry a fine but no black points.
You can see your black points in the same apps you use to check fines. Some emirates also run courses or campaigns that let drivers reduce their points, so keep an eye on official announcements.
Common Traffic Fines in the UAE
Here are some of the violations drivers get caught for most often, with typical amounts under the federal fines list:
| Violation | Fine (AED) | Black points |
|---|---|---|
| Using a mobile phone while driving | 800 | 4 |
| Not wearing a seatbelt | 400 | 4 |
| Not leaving a safe distance (tailgating) | 400 | 4 |
| Running a red light | 1,000 | 12, plus vehicle impound |
| Exceeding the speed limit by more than 80 km/h | 3,000 | 23, plus vehicle impound |
Amounts can be updated and some emirates add their own rules, so treat this as a guide. One important example: Abu Dhabi has no speed buffer, which means radars can flash you at the posted limit itself. Don’t assume you have an extra 20 km/h.
Rental cars and company cars
If you drive a rental car, fines go to the rental company first. They pay the fine and then charge it to your card, usually with an admin fee on top, and you lose any chance of the early discount. With company cars, fines are often deducted from salary. Either way, check your own licence record in the MOI app so nothing surprises you later.
How to Dispute a Traffic Fine
Cameras and officers do make mistakes, and sometimes a fine belongs to someone else, such as a previous owner of your car. If you believe a fine is wrong:
- Check the details first. Look at the date, time, location and any photo. Make sure it’s really your vehicle.
- Don’t pay the fine you’re disputing. Paying is usually treated as accepting the violation.
- Submit an objection through the Dubai Police app or website, TAMM or Abu Dhabi Police, or the MOI app, depending on where the fine was issued.
- Act quickly. Objection windows are limited, commonly around 30 days from the fine date.
- Attach evidence, such as a sale contract showing you’d sold the car, a rental agreement, or proof you were elsewhere.
Fines That Block Other Services
Unpaid traffic fines don’t just sit quietly. They can stop you from doing other things:
- Renewing your car registration (Mulkiya). Fines on the vehicle must be cleared before renewal.
- Selling or transferring your car. The buyer and the authority will expect a clean record.
- Leaving the UAE for good. Before moving away, clear all fines on your car and licence. If your job is ending, check them early, during your visa cancellation grace period, so they don’t delay your plans.
If you’re planning a move or a visa change, our guide to UAE Visa Rules 2026 covers the wider picture.
Avoid Fake Fine Websites and SMS Scams
Scammers know people panic about fines. Fake SMS messages and lookalike websites claiming you have an unpaid fine are common in the UAE. They usually include a link and pressure you to pay immediately.
Protect yourself with a few simple habits. Only pay through the official apps and websites listed in this guide. Never pay through a link in an SMS or WhatsApp message from an unknown number. And if you’re unsure, open the official app yourself and check whether the fine really exists.
Final Word: Check Monthly, Save 35%
Checking traffic fines in the UAE is quick and free, and doing it regularly can save you real money. Set a reminder to open the MOI or Dubai Police app once a month. If anything shows up, pay it within 60 days to get the discount, or dispute it straight away if it isn’t yours.
Running a car in the UAE is one of the bigger monthly costs for most families. If you’re planning your budget, our guide to the minimum salary in UAE shows the income thresholds that affect visas and family sponsorship.
Official sources: Ministry of Interior (MOI), Dubai Police, RTA Dubai, TAMM and Abu Dhabi Police.
This guide is for general information. Fine amounts, discounts and procedures can change, so always confirm the details in the official app before paying. Last reviewed: October 2026
