Dubai Police said 497 vehicles were impounded during traffic inspection and monitoring campaigns in the first half of 2026 due to accumulated traffic fines and failure to renew vehicle registrations. Fines on some vehicles had reached tens of thousands of dirhams, while others had not been registered for several years.

Brigadier Juma Salem bin Suwaidan, Director of the General Department of Traffic at Dubai Police, urged drivers and vehicle owners to regularly check their traffic records and pay outstanding fines without delay. He warned that ignoring fines or driving a vehicle with expired registration could lead to higher costs, vehicle impoundment and legal action.

Bin Suwaidan said driving a vehicle with expired registration is not only a legal violation but can also pose a serious risk to the driver and other road users, as the vehicle may not have undergone the mandatory technical inspection required to ensure its safety and roadworthiness.

He stressed that traffic fines are not merely financial penalties but are intended to deter dangerous behaviour, prevent repeat offences and improve road safety. Repeated violations can lead to accidents, injuries, deaths and financial losses.

Dubai Police said inspection campaigns targeting vehicles with outstanding fines or expired registrations would continue. However, before taking legal action, the General Department of Traffic contacts vehicle owners by phone, text message and email, urging them to pay their fines and renew their registrations.

Police said the campaigns are not solely aimed at impounding vehicles, but also at reminding drivers of their responsibilities and encouraging compliance with traffic regulations. Dubai Police also uses smart technology to identify vehicles with outstanding violations, enabling them to be detected and tracked on roads, in car parks and in other public areas.

Dubai Police urged vehicle owners to keep their contact details updated with Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) to ensure they receive alerts and notifications concerning fines and vehicle registration renewals.

Drivers can check and pay their fines through the Dubai Police app and website, self-service kiosks and Smart Police Stations. Instalment payment options are also available to facilitate the settlement of accumulated fines, including through Tabby and interest-free payment plans offered with approved partners.

Bin Suwaidan concluded by stressing that paying fines is a legal obligation, but the best way to avoid fines and vehicle impoundment is to follow traffic laws and act responsibly on the roads every day.