The key facts
- 48,950 fines for expired registration from January to October 2026
- Penalties: up to 500 dirhams, 4 black points, 7-day vehicle impoundment
- Peak in January (6,977), minimum in May (984)
Nearly 50,000 fines in ten months
Dubai Police issued 48,950 fines to drivers operating vehicles with expired registration during the first ten months of 2026. This was reported by Brigadier Juma Salem bin Suwaidan, Director of the Traffic Department of Dubai Police, in a publication for The National. The highest monthly figure was recorded in January — 6,977 fines, followed by February (6,768) and March (6,573). In July, 6,404 fines were issued, in August — 4,859, in September — 4,763, and in October — 4,056. April saw 2,601, while May showed the lowest result — 984 fines.
Why driving without valid registration is dangerous
Bin Suwaidan stressed that a vehicle with expired registration does not undergo mandatory technical inspections. The annual roadworthiness test is required in Dubai for cars older than three years when renewing registration; it helps detect faults in tires, brakes, lighting and steering. Moreover, since registration is required to obtain insurance, a driver involved in an accident without valid registration risks facing additional financial and legal consequences.
Penalties and a call to drivers
The violation carries a fine of up to 500 dirhams, four black points on the driving licence, and a seven-day impoundment of the vehicle. Bin Suwaidan urged owners to renew registration on time, keep track of insurance and inspection deadlines, and avoid accumulating unpaid fines: they can be checked and paid, like renewing registration, online through Dubai Police and other government bodies, including the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).
