How to Remove Black Points From a Driving License in the UAE

As you know, every country has its own demerit system for treating violations and making drivers abide by rules. The UAE uses black points on drivers’ licenses as penalties for traffic violations.

Many drivers, especially expats, want to know if they can remove black points from their licenses.

In this blog post, we’ll explain how black points work in the UAE and how you can remove them from your license.

What Black Points in License Really Are

First, let’s define black points and see how they work in the UAE.

Black points are a structured way for traffic authorities in the UAE to measure driver behavior.

In fact, in the black point system, authorities consider weight for various traffic violations. For example, minor slip-ups may have light penalties, while risky behaviors, like speeding excessively, can result in heavy penalties and higher points.

Each time you violate a traffic regulation, you earn several black points. These black points accumulate and remain on your license for a set duration, usually a year. Then, you must take specific actions to remove them or reduce their points. 

Overall, the black point system is not to punish drivers immediately but to provide a record of unsafe habits by drivers.

If you continue your behavior and your total points pass a specific threshold, the punishment system will apply stronger consequences, from license suspension or mandatory rehabilitation programs.

In fact, black points are not just a penalty. They are a warning signal that makes drivers pay special attention to their driving habits.

List of the UAE’s Back Points for Different Traffic Violations

Here is a summary of the back points you get on your license when you commit various violations in the UAE:

Violation	Black Points	Fine (AED)	Additional Penalty
Driving in a way that endangers life / reckless driving	23	2,000	Vehicle confiscation (≈60 days)
Driving under the influence of alcohol or narcotics	23–24	Court decides	Possible jail + vehicle impoundment
Driving without number plates	23	3,000	Vehicle confiscation (≈90 days)
Jumping a red light (light vehicle)	12	1,000	Vehicle confiscation (≈30 days)
Exceeding the speed limit by more than 60 km/h	12	3,000	Vehicle confiscation (varies by speed)
Using a mobile phone while driving	4	800	—
Not wearing a seatbelt	4	400	—
Tailgating / not maintaining a safe distance	4	400	—
Overtaking in a prohibited area	4	~600	—
Sudden swerving / dangerous lane deviation	4	1,000	—
Reversing dangerously	4	500	—
Entering a road without ensuring it’s clear	4	400	—
Illegal entry / turning from a prohibited place	8	1,000	Possible short-term impoundment
Parking in front of a fire hydrant	6	1,000	—
Throwing waste from a moving vehicle	6	1,000	—

As you see, the more dangerous your behavior is, the higher the black points and additional punishments you get.

Why Black Points Matter?

The points we mentioned in the previous section will be added to your license and accumulate over time.

This record will remain unless you remove it via approved channels that we’ll discuss in the following paragraphs.

Before that, let’s see why black points matter and what happens if you don’t remove them:

1. Reaching the 24-Point Limit Can Suspend Your License

In the UAE, when you accumulate 24 black points, your license might be suspended.

The suspension period varies by your emirate, but typically:

• The first suspension can last 3 months
• The second suspension may increase to 6 months
• Repeated offenses may lead to a one-year suspension or mandatory retesting

So, if driving is part of your job, or essential for school runs, commuting, or family needs, a suspension can disrupt your entire life.

2. Points Stay on Your Record for 12 Months

Unfortunately, black points don’t vanish quickly. They stay for one full year from the date of the violation.

If you don’t remove them:

• They continue to count toward the 24-point limit
• You remain at high risk for suspension
• Even one minor mistake can push you over the edge

This means you could be driving on a “ticking clock” without realizing it.

3. Vehicle Impoundment Can Happen for Severe Violations

Some violations in the UAE combine:

• Heavy fines
• 12 or more black points
• Automatic vehicle impoundment

If you already have points and add one of these major offenses, you could lose access to your car for weeks or months.

If you want to avoid that, you must pay high release fees, which can go into thousands of dirhams depending on the emirate.

4. Higher Insurance Premiums

Insurance companies in the UAE check driving records. A license with accumulated black points signals that you’re at higher risk of causing an accident. Consequences include:

• Increased annual insurance rates
• Reduced eligibility for “no-claim bonus” discounts
• Some insurers are refusing full coverage

Ignoring black points today can cost you significantly more when it’s time to renew your insurance policy.

5. Loss of Job Opportunities for Commercial or Corporate Drivers

If you drive for a living, like delivery, logistics, taxi, limo, school transport, or corporate fleet, black points matter even more.

Some companies:

• Enforce strict internal limits (e.g., max 12 points allowed)
• Suspend drivers who exceed a certain threshold
• Terminate employment if the UAE license is suspended

Failing to manage black points can directly affect your income.

6. Renting a Car Can Become Difficult

Rental companies regularly check driving histories, especially for long-term leasing. If your license:

• It is near the 24-point limit
• Has a suspension history
• Shows multiple recent violations

7. You Lose Access to Discount Campaigns and Amnesty Programs

UAE police departments often run:

• Ramadan discounts
• National Day initiatives
• Traffic safety campaigns

Some emirates temporarily offer:

• Black-point reductions
• Fine reductions
• Removal for completing awareness activities

If your points remain high, you miss out on these beneficial programs because some are only available before reaching a critical threshold.

8. Black Points Can Lead to Mandatory Rehabilitation Courses

If your points keep increasing:

• Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and other emirates may require mandatory awareness or rehabilitation courses.
• These courses take several hours or full days.
• You must pass the course before you’re allowed to drive again.

These aren’t optional once you cross certain thresholds.

9. It Creates Constant Driving Anxiety

When you’re close to 24 points:

• Every camera becomes a threat
• Every school zone feels stressful
• You start driving cautiously to the point of discomfort
• You may avoid roads or timings you normally use

Driving becomes exhausting because one mistake could suspend your license.

10. You Miss the Chance to Correct Your Driving Habits

Black points exist to make you aware of risky behaviors, like speeding, aggressive lane changing, tailgating, phone use, etc.

If you don’t address these habits:

• The violations continue
• The risks escalate
• You increase the chance of causing serious accidents

Removing points through courses actually helps improve long-term driving behavior.

How to Remove Black Points in the UAE:  Emirate-by-Emirate

Now that you know why you have to pay attention to black points in your license, let’s see how you can remove them in different emirates.

Some people think they can pay extra to remove points. This is completely wrong. Paying the fine does not reduce or cancel black points.

Here are the official ways to remove points in each emirate:

1. Safe Driving Courses

Every emirate in the UAE offers a version of the Traffic Awareness Course that reduces black points. It’s essential to know that the rules differ.

Here is a summary of these courses in some emirates:

Dubai: The Most Flexible Reduction System

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) offers one of the most accessible driving improvement courses in the UAE.

You must take courses through:

• The Dubai Driving Institute (DDI)
• Galadari Motor Driving Centre
• Emirates Driving Institute (EDI)
• Belhasa Driving Center.

Completing the “Traffic Awareness Course” can remove up to 4 black points per year. The course is voluntary unless points approach the maximum.

Drivers can choose courses in Arabic, English, Hindi, or Urdu, which is great for expats. Dubai’s system is popular for being structured and accessible. It makes it easier for residents to manage their driving records.

Abu Dhabi: Structured and Strict

The Abu Dhabi Police offers programs through Emirates Driving Company (EDC). Key differences in Abu Dhabi:

• Drivers with 8 to 23 points can voluntarily attend a course to reduce a limited number of points.
• Drivers who reach 24 points must undergo a mandatory rehabilitation program.
• Abu Dhabi tends to be more rigid about who qualifies for voluntary reduction.

Abu Dhabi also ties black-point reduction more closely to behavioral improvement rather than simple attendance.

Sharjah: Mandatory for Heavy Offenses

Sharjah Police offer black-point removal courses, but:

• They are often mandatory, not voluntary.
• Commonly required for repeat violations such as excessive speeding or sudden lane changes.
• Point reduction varies depending on violation severity.

Sharjah is known for a stricter interpretation of driving behavior, especially in school zones, older districts, and industrial areas.

Northern Emirates: Ajman, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah, Umm Al Quwain

These Emirates offer similar programs through their police headquarters, but the flexibility is limited compared to Dubai. General pattern:

• Courses are available but typically require approval.
• Black-point removal may only apply to specific violations.
• Some police departments run seasonal amnesty programs during National Day or Ramadan.

Drivers often don’t realize these options exist because they are not advertised as heavily.

2. Time-Based Expiry

Black points automatically expire after 12 months if:

• The driver commits no additional black-point violations
• The driver does not reach the 24-point threshold
• The points are not tied to offenses that require mandatory courses

Differences by emirate:

• Dubai and Abu Dhabi follow expiry rules automatically.
• Sharjah occasionally requires drivers to complete awareness hours for specific violations before points drop.
• Northern Emirates generally follow federal expiry rules, but may delay removal if administrative processes are pending.

This expiry system rewards consistent, safe driving.

3. Violation Disputes

Every emirate allows drivers to dispute violations if they believe they were wrongly recorded. Common reasons disputes succeed:

• Number plate misread
• The car was sold, but not updated in the system
• Rental or company vehicle driven by someone else
• Wrong lane attribution
• Duplicate violations

Where to file disputes:

• Dubai: RTA website or Dubai Police app
• Abu Dhabi: Abu Dhabi Police app
• Sharjah and Northern Emirates: Respective police websites or service centers

Dubai is known for the fastest dispute resolution. Abu Dhabi requires more documentation. Sharjah may ask for an in-person follow-up depending on the case. If a dispute is approved, both the fine and black points are removed.

4. Transferring Black Points to the Correct Driver

If someone else was driving your car, a family member, friend, employee, or rental, you have the right to transfer the black points to them. Differences across emirates:

• Dubai: Easiest point transfer process; available through the Dubai Police app.
• Abu Dhabi: Requires Emirates ID verification from the receiving driver.
• Sharjah: Often requires in-person confirmation.
• Northern Emirates: Depends on each emirate’s police headquarters.

You must complete the transfer quickly after the violation appears. Otherwise, the system may lock the points under the vehicle owner.

Conclusion

Black points on your license are a warning to improve your driving habits to avoid more violations. There are some official methods to remove or reduce them. These methods are different in various emirates. The best method is usually passing driving courses. There are various institutions in these emirates where you can take courses and reduce your black points on your license.

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