Abu Dhabi Speed Fines 2026
Every band, every amount, every black point. Plus the rule most drivers get wrong: Abu Dhabi has no speed buffer.
Speeding fines in Abu Dhabi start at AED 300 and rise to AED 3,000 with 23 black points and 60 days of vehicle impoundment for the most serious band. Abu Dhabi removed its 20 km/h radar buffer in 2018, so a camera can trigger at 1 km/h over the posted limit. Most fines get a 35% discount if paid within 60 days.
Section 01
There Is No Speed Buffer in Abu Dhabi
Drivers arriving from other countries — and from other emirates — often assume there is a tolerance of a few km/h before a camera triggers. In Abu Dhabi there is not.
The emirate removed its 20 km/h buffer in 2018. Radars are set to the posted limit exactly. 121 km/h in a 120 zone is a fine.
⚠️ This is the single most expensive misunderstanding among new drivers in Abu Dhabi. Dubai and some other emirates operate differently, which is why drivers who move between emirates get caught out repeatedly in their first year.
There is no warning, no grace period, and no first-offence leniency. The camera records, the fine is issued, and it appears against your plate number within days.
Section 02
Abu Dhabi Speeding Fines by Speed Over the Limit
The fine depends on how far above the posted limit you were recorded. The higher bands add black points and vehicle impoundment on top of the cash penalty — and those hurt considerably more than the fine itself.
| Speed over the limit | Fine | Black points | Vehicle impound |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 20 km/h over | AED 300 | — | — |
| More than 20, up to 30 km/h over | AED 600 | — | — |
| More than 30, up to 40 km/h over | AED 700 | — | — |
| More than 40, up to 50 km/h over | AED 1,000 | — | — |
| More than 50, up to 60 km/h over | AED 1,500 | 6 | 15 days |
| More than 60 km/h over | AED 2,000 | 12 | 30 days |
| More than 80 km/h over | AED 3,000 | 23 | 60 days |
Heavy vehicles and commercial plates are treated differently. Your own fine is always authoritative on the Abu Dhabi Police portal — this table is a guide, not a substitute for checking.
Section 03
How Black Points Lead to a Licence Suspension
Black points sit on your licence for 12 months from the date of the violation, then expire. Reaching 24 points inside any 12-month window suspends your licence.
⚠️ One offence can nearly suspend you outright. Exceeding the limit by more than 80 km/h carries 23 black points — one point short of an immediate suspension, from a single moment on the road.
Section 04
Other Common Abu Dhabi Traffic Fines
Speeding is the most common violation, but these carry heavy points and impoundment too.
| Violation | Fine | Black points | Impound |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crossing a red signal | AED 1,000 | 12 | 30 days |
| Using a mobile phone while driving | AED 800 | 4 | — |
| Not leaving a safe distance (tailgating) | AED 400 | 4 | — |
| Driver or passenger not wearing a seatbelt | AED 400 | 4 | — |
| Driving below the minimum speed limit | AED 400 | — | — |
💡 Worth knowing: crossing a red signal carries the same 12 black points as speeding 60–80 km/h over the limit, and it is excluded from the 35% discount. It is one of the most expensive mistakes on this list.
Section 05
The 35% Early Payment Discount
Abu Dhabi Police apply a 35% discount automatically to most fines paid within 60 days of the violation date. You do not need to apply for it or request it.
What the discount does not cover
- Speeding more than 30 km/h above the limit
- Crossing a red signal
- Driving under the influence
💡 Practical habit: because the window is time-limited and runs from the violation date rather than the date you find out, checking your fines monthly is worth real money. Many drivers only discover a fine when renewing registration — long after the discount has expired.
Section 06
How to Check and Pay Your Abu Dhabi Fines
You can check fines without creating an account, using your plate number, driving licence number, or Emirates ID.
Fines can be paid by card on either portal, at an Abu Dhabi Police customer happiness centre, or through participating bank channels.
Section 07
Where New Drivers Actually Pick Up Fines
Most fines new drivers collect in their first year trace back to habits formed during training, not to deliberate risk-taking. These are the four our instructors see most often.
Proper instruction from the start costs less than the fines. ALWAFAE has trained drivers in Abu Dhabi for over 40 years from our Mussafah campus, with instruction in English, Arabic, Urdu, Hindi and Punjabi.
Related guides
Section 08
Frequently Asked Questions
Good habits cost less than fines. Talk to our instructors about a course that fits your schedule — in English, Arabic, Urdu, Hindi or Punjabi.
ALWAFAE Motor Drivers Training Company · Emirates Driving School Building 1, Counter 4, Mussafah, Abu Dhabi · ☎ 800 723 346 · Open Monday to Saturday, 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Fine amounts, black points and impound periods on this page are taken from the official UAE schedule of traffic violations, fines and black points published by the UAE Government on u.ae, current as of August 2026. Penalties are subject to change, and your own fine is always authoritative on es.adpolice.gov.ae. This page is provided for guidance and is not legal advice.