How to Clear Black Points from Your UAE Driving Licence: The Ultimate 2025 Guide

Ever looked at your UAE driving licence and wondered how many black points you’ve racked up? Or maybe you’ve lost sleep over advice that seems to change monthly, not to mention the rules that vary between Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah. You’re definitely not alone. Thousands of drivers face the headache of black points each year, sometimes discovering them only when it’s almost too late think licence suspension or a sudden phone call that impacts your job.

Here’s the truth: black points aren’t just a simple slap on the wrist. They mean business, especially in 2025, with police authorities rolling out new systems, regional campaigns, and much stricter digital monitoring.

This guide isn’t just for expats or brand-new drivers. If you get behind the wheel in the UAE private vehicle, delivery van, or chauffeured limousine there’s something here for you. Official sources, case studies, real-life checklists, and step-by-step solutions await. Bookmark this page, as laws and links keep shifting.

Understanding the UAE Black Points System

What are Black Points, and Why Should You Care?

Think of black points as demerits stuck to your driving record, not your car. Run a red light, get flagged for speeding, or risk a DUI, and those points pile up, tracked under your Emirates ID in a nationwide system.

Here’s where it pinches: build up enough black points and your licence can be gone before your next insurance payment hits the bank. Officially, once you hit 24 black points in a 12-month window, your licence gets suspended. No warnings, no soft landings.

In 2023, the authorities saw a surge over 300,000 drivers took part in black point campaigns, hoping to clear their records just in time (Dubai Police, MOI). The demand is real: Dubai alone sees over 1,000 searches each month for “Black points UAE,” with 480 for Abu Dhabi. That’s not a small crowd.

Black Point Thresholds and What Happens If You Cross the Line

The magic number, so to speak, is 24 black points within 12 months. Cross it, and you’re looking at:

• - Licence suspension, starting at 3 months for regular cars and stretching up to 12 months if you’re driving commercial vehicles or make repeat mistakes.




• - Immediate court referrals for serious stuff like reckless driving or DUI.




• - Insurance headaches (your policy renewal might get a lot more expensive).




• - Trouble with background checks, which is a headache if your job involves driving.

Once the points are assigned, they stick around until they expire, get knocked off by approved courses, or you successfully argue your case in an appeal.

Pro tip: Black points aren’t a “maybe.” They’re enforced under specific Ministry of Interior decrees. You’ll get notified by SMS, official apps, or when you least expect it at the police station counter.

How Long Black Points Last And When They Actually Expire

So, do black points vanish after twelve months? Not so fast.

• - The 12-month timer starts from the date of the offence, not when you pay the fine.




• - Points expire automatically after one year only if you haven’t hit 24 points and haven’t had more violations since.




• - Hit 24, get suspended, or keep racking up new offences and the timer hits reset all over again.

There’s often confusion here. Lots of people assume points automatically disappear after twelve months. They don’t, unless you keep your record clean for that full period and never cross the threshold.

Black Point Offences, Values, and Penalties by Emirate

Below is what you’re up against for the usual mistakes behind the wheel. These numbers are up-to-date as per the 2024 official schedules.

Offence	Dubai Black Points	Abu Dhabi Black Points	Sharjah Black Points	Fine (AED)
Speeding (less than 60km/h over limit)	4–8	6–8	6–8	600–2,000
Excessive Speeding (>80km/h over limit)	12	12	12	3,000
Running a red light	12	12	12	1,000
Using a mobile phone while driving	4	4	4	800
Not wearing seatbelt	4	4	4	400
Reckless/dangerous driving	23	23	23	2,000
Driving under the influence	24	24	24	20,000–30,000
Driving without plate	23	23	23	3,000
Overtaking on hard shoulder	6	6	6	1,000
Allowing a child under 10/unbelted	4	4	4	400

Regular phone use, not buckling up, or speeding less than 60km/h over the limit gets you a slap of 4 points. Go big run a red light, drive drunk and watch that number climb to 12–24 instantly, with a suspension breathing down your neck.

Do These Rules Change if You Drive Between Emirates?

Short answer: not really. The federal rules set the bar, but Abu Dhabi or Dubai occasionally run extra safe-driving promotions or limited-time reduction campaigns. If you move, your points follow you no matter if you cross from Sharjah to Dubai or anywhere else.

The onus is always on you to double-check local updates online, but don’t expect old points to magically drop off when you switch addresses.

How to Check Your Black Points Online

No more standing in line or playing phone tag. Checking your black point balance is a quick online job if you have your Emirates ID and licence handy.

Here’s how, in each emirate:

• 1. Ministry of Interior (MOI) Portal:
  Go to www.moi.gov.ae, log in with your Emirates ID, navigate to e-Services, then “Traffic Fines Inquiry”. Your points and fines should show up right away.




• 2. Dubai Police:
  Hop on www.dubaipolice.gov.ae or grab the Dubai Police App, select Traffic Services, then Black Points Inquiry, and enter your licence info.




• 3. Abu Dhabi (TAMM):
  Use the TAMM or Abu Dhabi Police app, log in, select Violations & Fines > Driving Licence, and check your balance.




• 4. Sharjah Police:
  www.shjpolice.gov.ae, Emirates ID and licence number required.

• You might need to update your registration, fix a typo, or reset your password. If things don’t match up, manual verification at a police centre sorts it most of the time, at least.

Proven Ways to Remove or Reduce Black Points

Official Black Point Reduction Courses & Programs

Abu Dhabi:
Sign up for the Traffic Awareness Course via TAMM or the Abu Dhabi Police website. Complete it, and you’ll see up to 8 black points wiped clean. There’s a fee (around AED 200), and you may qualify for an online module.

Dubai:
Their own version Traffic Awareness Workshop is also available through the portal or app. Same 8-point relief, but you have to get approval.

Sharjah:
Still a bit old-school. You’ll apply in person at a service centre, and eligible offences let you join a reduction course with an assessment.

Emirate	Max Points Removed	Enrolment Method	Fees (AED)	Who Qualifies
Abu Dhabi	8	TAMM/Police Website	~200	Holders with active points
Dubai	8	App/Portal	~250	On approval, minor infractions
Sharjah	8	Police Service Centre	Varies	Eligible violations only

More often than not, courses require a paid fee. Watch for free pledges or campaigns they occasionally pop up.

Annual Reduction Campaigns: “A Day Without Accident”

Participate in “A Day Without Accident” (next round starts August 25, 2025). You pledge, avoid violations on the campaign day, and voilà 4 black points drop off your record by mid-September.

In 2023, over 300,000 UAE drivers joined, and accident rates dropped 20% (Dubai Police, The National). You’ll find instructions and registration forms live on all Police/MOI portals.

Step-by-step? Pledge online, don’t get a ticket on the day, wait two weeks, then see your points disappear.

Eligibility: Open to almost all drivers, as long as you’re 18+ with a valid licence. Some rules may exclude very high-risk applicants, so check the details when you sign up.

Additional Methods: Transfer, Appeals, and Fine Payment

• Point transfer: If someone else was behind the wheel (like a company driver), file the evidence and transfer points to the real offender.




• Appeal: Points assigned in error? File within 15–30 days, attach proof (video, logbook, letter), and push for reversal.




• Paying fines: Does not immediately scrub points; you’ll have to wait out the full 12 months or use other official channels.

Always use the online police platform for these processes. For complicated situations, a certified traffic lawyer or legal officer at the police centre can help.

The Real-World Impact: Suspension, Insurance, and Work

That dreadful “suspension” message is real. For first-timers, private licence suspensions usually last 3 months, while commercial drivers may be benched for upto 12 months. Your job might ask for a clean driving record, and insurance companies are not shy about hiking rates for risky drivers.

Hand your licence over to the police (don’t risk bigger trouble by keeping it), finish any required courses, pay the fees, and wait for reinstatement. Employers and insurers can and do check your record.

Tactics to Avoid Black Points Altogether

• 1. Buckle up front and back




• 2. Stick to speed limits, especially near schools (usually 40km/h max in these zones)




• 3. Never handle your mobile while driving




• 4. Maintain a safe gap between cars (three seconds, minimum)




• 5. All kids under ten should be in approved child seats




• 6. Check for extra police and camera presence during campaign seasons

Turn on notifications from police apps and the MOI for law updates. Give your points a once-over online every few months. A little vigilance beats a nasty surprise later.

Emirates Black Point Reduction Comparison

Emirate	Max Removal via Course	Annual Campaigns	Free Pledge/Campaign	Appeal/Transfer Option	Official Portal
Dubai	8	"Day Without Accident", RTA initiatives	Yes	Yes	dubaipolice.gov.ae
Abu Dhabi	8	"Day Without Accident", school campaigns	Yes	Yes	tamm.abudhabi, moi.gov.ae
Sharjah	8	Themed campaigns, annual pledges	Yes	Yes	shjpolice.gov.ae
Others	Varies	As announced	Sometimes	Yes	Check local police website

Real People, Real Cases

Ahmed, Dubai:
Bagged 7 black points for blowing a red light. He took the “Accident-Free Day” pledge to erase 4 points, then completed a course to clear the rest in time.

Sara, Abu Dhabi:
Blamed for points belonging to a company car. Submitted CCTV and a letter from her employer. The police checked, agreed, and shifted the points where they belonged.

Document your course completion, pledges, or appeals, and expect a processing window of around 2–3 weeks before changes show up in your record.

Expert Voices

“Black points exist to make us stop and rethink dangerous habits. Get involved in awareness drives, and you’ll protect your driving status.”
Captain Majid Al Nuaimi, UAE Traffic Police Spokesperson

“Never hand your fate to unofficial fixers. Go through police portals for appeals, and keep tabs on ever-changing rules being proactive always helps.”
Fatima Ahmed, UAE Traffic Law Specialist

Top Myths & FAQ

“Fines clear black points.”
No payment and points aren’t linked. The black marks stick until they expire or you join an official removal scheme.

“Points vanish after 12 months.”
Only if you keep things squeaky clean, don’t hit 24, and pick up no fresh offences.

“Points stay behind if you move cities.”
Your record is national. No escape.

Quick FAQs

• Can black points be transferred? Yes, but you'll need proper proof and to use the police portal.




• Will my insurer or employer see my points? Absolutely, especially if you’re in a driving job.




• What if I break the limit by accident? Suspension will still hit. You can appeal, but don’t count on sympathy.

UAE Black Points Quick Facts

Specification	Details
Name & System Trim	UAE Driving Licence Black Points System
Point Limit	24 points (all Emirates)
Black Point Lifespan	12 months from each offence/payment
Suspension (1st Private)	3 months
Suspension (1st Commercial)	6–12 months
Reinstatement	After suspension, sometimes after a course too
Point Removal Course	Up to 8 points per course, per emirate
Campaign-Based Reduction	“A Day Without Accident” – 4 points
Appeal/Transfer	Yes, with evidence
Expiry	12 months, clean record, under 24 points
Checking Portal	MOI, Dubai Police, Abu Dhabi Police (TAMM), Sharjah Police
Info Needed	Emirates ID, Driving licence number
Main Offences	Speeding, red light, phone, seatbelt, reckless, DUI
Contacts	Police call centre, e-services chat
Next Campaign	Aug 25, 2025
Min Age for Campaigns	18+
Legal Base	MOI Decrees, Federal Law

People Also Ask

• 1. How can I check black points on my UAE driving licence?
  Head to MOI portal, Dubai Police app, or the police website for your emirate. Log in, select ‘Violations’ or ‘Fines’, and view your black point count instantly.




• 2. Do black points in the UAE expire automatically after one year?
  They clear after 12 months only if you haven’t reached 24 points and keep your record clean.




• 3. What’s the fastest way to lose black points?
  Join the “Accident-Free Day” on the MOI portal before August 25 or finish a traffic awareness course. That’s up to 8 points off with the course or 4 for the campaign.




• 4. Can I transfer black points to another driver or appeal a mistake?
  Yes, with documents and official forms. Use the police portal or walk-in counter; CCTV or company letters help a lot.




• 5. Do black points affect my car insurance or job?
  Absolutely. More points usually means pricier insurance and can kill your chances for any professional driving job.

Quick Reference Table

Offence	Black Points	Fine (AED)	Removal Method	Expiry Period	Emirate-Specific Note
Speeding (minor/major)	4–12	600–3,000	Course, campaign, pledge	12 months	Fines, camera use can differ locally
Running red light	12	1,000	Course, appeal	12 months	Can trigger potential suspension
Using mobile phone while driving	4	800	Campaign, course	12 months	Often deducted during big campaigns
Not wearing seatbelt	4	400	Campaign, course	12 months	School safety periods targeted
Reckless driving/DUI	23–24	20,000+	None direct suspension	12 months	Suspension mandatory
Driving without license plate	23	3,000	Course	12 months	Car may be seized
Overtaking on hard shoulder	6	1,000	Course, appeal	12 months
School zone/bus offences	4	1,000	Campaign	12 months	Hot issue every August/September

For up-to-date advice on legal changes, traffic strategies or even if you’re after a smart property buy close to work and school Alba Cars is your go-to partner.

Drive safe, keep your record clean, and lean on this guide anytime you suspect black points might be tagging along. It’s not just about dodging fines; it’s about owning your safety behind the wheel.

Also read: The Impact Of New Uae Traffic Laws 2025