Passenger seat belts - New traffic law will come into effect from July in U.AE

Drivers will be fined Dh400 for each passenger who is found without a seatbelt inside the vehicle, a senior official told Gulf News on Saturday.

General Mohammad Saif Al Zafein, head of the UAE Federal Traffic Council, said that even if the if the driver is wearing his seatbelt, he can be fined if other passengers on the back seats are not wearing seatbelts.

“The fine is Dh400 for each passenger not wearing a seatbelt, so if the driver is wearing a seatbelt and other three passengers are not wearing it, then he needs to pay Dh1,200 in total for the three passengers, with four traffic points. Drivers are responsible for ensuring that passengers are using the seatbelt,” General Al Zafein said.

The new regulations, covering a comprehensive range of traffic discipline issues and violations, will be implemented on the first of July, according to General Al Zafein.

Officially signed by Lieutenant General Shaikh Saif Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, the new regulations cover multiple violations, the penalties for which include heavy fines, black points, and impounding of vehicles.

Gen Al Zafein said that the new rules will restrict short people and children below 10 years of age from sitting in the front passenger seat given that the seatbelt can choke the person.

“Children under 10 and every person who his less than 145 cm in height will be banned from sitting on the passenger front seat. Officers can fine the driver Dh400. If the person is taller than 145 cm, then he needs to show any document showing his height or he can complain against the fine with the traffic department,” he said.

He added that appropriate child car seats must be used for all children under the age of four. Lack of child safety seats for children up to four years of age will invite a Dh400 fine and four black points.

Official statistics show that 725 people died in traffic accidents in the UAE last year and the new traffic law will help to reduce the number of death on the roads, Gen. Al Zafein said. “We want to reach a figure of 3 deaths for every 100,000 people in the UAE. This law will help us in reaching our target for safer and better roads,” he added.

UAE Traffic Rules & Fines: Current Guide & Key Updates

EDITOR’S NOTE: This article has been updated to reflect current UAE road regulations, including updates under Federal Decree-Law No. 14 of 2024 and current 2026 traffic enforcement guidelines across all emirates.

The United Arab Emirates operates a modern, tech-driven traffic enforcement ecosystem. With AI smart cameras, automated radar networks, and strict black point systems across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and the Northern Emirates, staying up-to-date with current road safety laws is essential for every motorist.

Key Regulatory Highlights

1. Driving Age & Licensing Thresholds

• Minimum Driving Age: Set to 17 years for light vehicles under recent federal updates.

• Foreign & Visitor Driving: Visitors holding valid international driving permits or recognized foreign licenses from approved nations may legally drive rental or foreign-registered vehicles during short stays.

2. Zero-Tolerance & AI Smart Camera Enforcement

• Distracted Driving & Seatbelts: Automated AI cameras continuously monitor and fine drivers holding mobile phones or driving without seatbelts.

• Speed Buffers:

  • Abu Dhabi: Zero-speed buffer—the posted speed limit on signs is the absolute maximum speed allowed.

  • Dubai & Northern Emirates: Maintain a standard 20 km/h buffer over posted speeds on most roadways.

Summary of Major Fines & Black Points

Violation Category	Fine Amount (AED)	Black Points	Additional Penalties
Using Mobile Phone While Driving	AED 800	4 to 6 points	AI camera detection
Running a Red Light	AED 1,000	12 points	Up to 30 days vehicle impoundment
Not Wearing a Seatbelt	AED 400	4 points	Applies to driver and all passengers
Tailgating / Unsafe Distance	AED 400 – 1,000	4 to 6 points	High-speed radar enforcement
Exceeding Speed Limit by >60 km/h	AED 1,500 – 3,000	6 to 12 points	15–30 days vehicle impoundment
Exceeding Speed Limit by >80 km/h	AED 3,000	23 points	60 days vehicle impoundment
Driving Under the Influence (DUI)	Determined by Court	23 points	Potential jail term & license suspension
Reckless Driving / Endangering Lives	Min. AED 2,000+	Up to 23 points	Vehicle impoundment & court referral

Understanding the Black Point System

• Suspension Limit: Accumulating 24 black points within a 12-month period results in an automatic driving license suspension (3 months for first-time occurrence).

• Expiration Period: Black points remain active on a driver's federal traffic file for 12 months from the date of the violation, after which they expire.

• Legal Point Reductions: Drivers with accumulated points can voluntarily reduce up to 8 black points by completing official police traffic safety rehabilitation courses.

How to Check and Pay Fines Online

Motorists can inspect and settle traffic violations digitally through official portals using their UAE PASS or vehicle registration details:

• MOI Portal / App: Covers nationwide traffic files across all emirates.

• Dubai Police & RTA Portals: For Dubai-registered violations and parking fines.

• TAMM Abu Dhabi App: For traffic, parking, and toll (DARB) violations in Abu Dhabi.

Seatbelts mandatory for rear seat passengers in Dubai

The General Department of Traffic of Dubai Police has prepared a new Bill which, once approved, will make it mandatory for rear passengers in vehicles to wear seat belts, according to Arabic dailies this morning.

The proposal says it will be the driver’s responsibility to ensure that all passengers in a vehicle are buckled up, and in the event of failing to do so, the driver may be fined.

Lt. General Engineer Mohammed Saif Al Zaffin said the proposal was made based on accidents in which rear passengers could have avoided injuries or even deaths had they been wearing seatbelts.

He added that the Police found that the risk for children sitting in the back seat doubled because they rarely buckle up, with their parents believing that sitting in the rear would automatically protect them in case of an accident.

He stressed that the draft law imposed on the driver to oblige the passengers sitting in the back seat to harness seat belts, and in case of a failure to do so, he will be subject to violation.