A new initiative that has just been rolled out by the police and the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) is sure to make a lot of Dubai motorists really happy. Up until recently, private car owners who had unpaid fines for various traffic offences, could not get their car's registration renewed. It was only once all the dues were paid, could one go ahead with the renewal.
However, under the Dubai Police's new safety initiative for Dubai motorists, car registration renewal is now possible even if the owner hasn't paid the fines. Major General Abdullah Khalifa Al Merri, chief of Dubai Police, said in a statement, “We have coordinated with the Roads and Transport Authority to allow individuals to renew their vehicle's registration automatically regardless of accumulated fines or any periods of confiscation imposed on vehicles, or offences committed. We want the public to benefit from the discount initiative.”
Since the commencement of this initiative, if motorists haven't committed any traffic offences for three months, they will get a 25% discount on any accumulated fines. Meanwhile, those with a clean record for six months can get up to 50% off, and drivers that have gone nine months sans any traffic violations will benefit from a 75% discount on their fines. The chief of Dubai Police added, “Individuals can go to registration centres and decide whether or not to pay traffic fines immediately. Individuals can choose the amount of fines they want to clear. However, if they don't commit a traffic offence, they don't have to pay anything till February 2020.”
The initiative was actually implemented starting February 6th of this year and will benefit car owners in several ways. However, Dubai Police pointed out that there are a few terms and conditions behind the 100% discount for the fines. To begin with, the scheme only works if your car is registered in Dubai. On top of that, owners have to ensure that they haven't broken any traffic laws or regulations. So, if you haven't committed any serious traffic violation for a full calendar year since February 6, you can redeem that mouth-watering 100% discount. Even better, this discount is applicable to the seizure of vehicles and traffic points as well.
However, parking and Salik fines are not part of this initiative as they aren't considered as traffic offences. According to Brig Saif Muhair Al Mazroui, director of the traffic department, those who haven't benefitted from the initiative will have the chance to do so in the next coming months. “Some drivers who benefited from the 25 per cent discount are afraid of cancelling the discount if they commit a traffic fine later but they shouldn't be worried as the discount can't be cancelled.” Al Mazroui further added, “The initiative only applies to individuals who own vehicles and does not apply to vehicles of private companies, rental offices and public or private transport companies.”
Dubai Police declared recently that a total of 457,154 drivers had benefited from the 25% discount on their accumulated traffic fines. Furthermore, the initiative waived a total of 1,260,047 traffic offences. Plus, it also led to a 19% reduction in vehicles impounded over several traffic offences. Unfortunately, for now, this if you are from any one of the other six emirates, this fantastic initiative won't be applicable to you. Also, if car owners have other RTA related fines on their record, they will have to clear their dues by the time their vehicle registration renewal comes along.
Traffic violations such as driving dangerously, not maintaining lane discipline, speeding over the published limit, and jumping red lights can all attract fines.
