If you drive in the UAE, you have probably heard other drivers mention black points — and the words are usually spoken with a nervous laugh. Common Questions About Black Points are exactly what this guide covers: what these points are, how you get them, how you remove them, and what happens if too many pile up. The black points system is the UAE’s way of tracking serious traffic violations against each driver, and once you reach the limit, your licence gets suspended. Whether you are a new resident behind the wheel for the first time or a long-time driver who just picked up a fine, the questions answered below cover everything most drivers ask.
Quick Answer
Black points are penalty points recorded against your driving licence when you commit serious traffic violations in the UAE. Collecting 24 black points leads to licence suspension, vehicle confiscation periods for some offences, and — in extreme cases — revocation. Points can be reduced by attending a rehabilitation course, and you can check your balance through the police app or website of your emirate.
What Are Black Points?
The UAE uses a points-based system to penalise dangerous driving. Every traffic violation carries a fine, and the serious ones also carry black points — a separate tally kept against your licence. Minor parking tickets, for example, cost you money only; but running a red light, speeding excessively, or driving recklessly will add black points to your record alongside the fine.
The system exists in every emirate, but the details can vary slightly. In Abu Dhabi, for instance, additional fines may apply once your points cross certain thresholds. In Dubai, the RTA and Dubai Police share enforcement. The core rule is the same everywhere: 24 black points is the limit, and hitting it means your licence is suspended.
How Do You Get Black Points?
Black points are added automatically when a violation is recorded against your licence — by a traffic patrol officer, a camera, or an accident report. Some of the most common ways drivers collect black points include:
- Running a red light — one of the most heavily penalised offences, typically carrying 12 black points plus vehicle confiscation for around 30 days.
- Excessive speeding — fines for speeding are tiered, but driving far above the limit (generally 60 km/h or more over) adds black points on top of a heavy fine.
- Reckless or dangerous driving — including aggressive lane changes, tailgating, and street racing. Racing can carry heavy black points plus vehicle confiscation.
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs — carries black points, a court-determined fine, vehicle confiscation, and possible imprisonment.
- Not wearing a seatbelt or using a phone while driving — these carry smaller numbers of black points but they add up.
- Causing an accident through negligence — black points are added in addition to fines and any liability for damage.
Because fines and points change from time to time, it is always worth checking the current schedule on the official portals before assuming a number — our UAE traffic fines guide lists the most common violations and what they cost.
How Many Black Points Lead to Suspension?
The magic number is 24. If you accumulate 24 black points on your record, your driving licence is suspended. The suspension periods typically increase with repeat offences: a first-time suspension may last around three months, a second around six months, and a third may lead to licence revocation — meaning you would have to go through the full process of obtaining a new licence again.
Keep in mind that some individual offences are so serious that they trigger immediate action regardless of your total. Vehicles can be confiscated for 30 to 90 days for offences like red-light jumping, reckless driving, or racing, and confiscation periods are separate from any licence suspension.
Do Black Points Expire?
This is one of the most common questions, and the answer matters a lot. In most emirates, black points are wiped from your record if you stay violation-free for a full year — typically counted from the date of your last violation. So a clean driving year effectively resets your balance to zero.
That said, the exact reset rules can differ between emirates, and traffic departments may apply additional conditions. If your record is close to the limit, the safest move is to drive cleanly and let the points clear rather than assuming the calendar will save you automatically.
Can You Remove or Reduce Black Points?
Yes. If you have black points on your record, you can attend a traffic rehabilitation course (also called a driving points reduction course) offered by the police in your emirate. Completing the course typically removes a set number of points — commonly 8 — from your record. Dubai Police and Abu Dhabi Police both offer these programmes, and registration is usually done online through the police website or app.
There are usually conditions: the course may only be taken a limited number of times, and it cannot be used to avoid suspension once you have already hit 24 points. Treat the course as a second chance for a record that is getting heavy, not as a routine discount.
How Can You Check Your Black Points Balance?
Each emirate’s police force provides an online portal or app where you can look up your violations:
- Dubai — the Dubai Police website and app show fines, black points, and vehicle impound details.
- Abu Dhabi — the Abu Dhabi Police website and TAMM portal list violations and points.
- Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, Umm Al Quwain — check the respective police websites or apps, or the Ministry of Interior’s unified services.
You will need your vehicle plate number, driving licence number, or traffic file number to log in. Checking regularly is a good habit — points recorded by cameras can appear before you even realise you were caught, and fines often carry early-payment discounts that expire within weeks. Remember that outstanding fines also block other services: you cannot complete a vehicle registration renewal until every fine on the vehicle is paid.
Do Black Points Apply to Rental Cars and Company Cars?
Yes — and this catches out a lot of visitors and new employees. Black points follow the driver, not the car, but only if the violation can be tied to you. If a camera catches a rental car speeding, the rental company receives the fine and passes it to you (plus an admin fee), and the points are recorded against the driver named in the contract. If you were driving a friend’s or company’s car, the registered owner is notified first and must identify who was driving.
For tourists on short visits, accumulated points generally become a problem only if you return or apply for a UAE licence — but unpaid fines can block future visa renewals or airport departure in some cases, so settle them before leaving.
Do Black Points Affect Car Insurance?
Insurers in the UAE can see your driving record, and a heavy violation history is a red flag. While there is no public formula, drivers with repeated serious violations generally pay more at renewal — or face stricter terms — than clean drivers. Keeping your record clean is one of the simplest ways to keep premiums down. For more on how policies work, see our guide to car insurance in Dubai.
What Happens After Licence Suspension?
When your licence is suspended for reaching 24 black points, you must surrender it for the suspension period and you may not drive — driving on a suspended licence is itself a serious offence that can lead to impoundment and jail time. During suspension, the vehicle involved may also be impounded. Once the period ends, you can reclaim your licence, but your record keeps the history of violations. A second suspension within the relevant period brings a longer ban, and a third can mean permanent revocation.
If you need the full picture — the points schedule, the course system, and how the record works over time — read our complete guide to black points and driving records.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How many black points do I get for running a red light?
Running a red light is one of the most heavily penalised violations in the UAE, typically carrying 12 black points plus vehicle confiscation for about 30 days. The exact figures can change, so check the official portal for the current schedule.
How many black points lead to licence suspension?
24 black points. A first suspension typically lasts around three months, a second around six months, and a third offence may result in licence revocation.
Do black points expire automatically?
In most emirates, black points are removed from your record after one full year without a new violation. Rules can vary by emirate, so confirm with your local police portal.
Can I reduce my black points by taking a course?
Yes. Traffic rehabilitation courses offered by the police in each emirate typically remove around 8 points from your record. Courses can usually only be taken a limited number of times and cannot undo a suspension already in effect.
How do I check my black points online?
Use the Dubai Police website or app if your licence is from Dubai, the Abu Dhabi Police or TAMM portal for Abu Dhabi, or the respective police websites for other emirates. You will need your plate number, licence number, or traffic file number.
Do black points transfer between emirates?
Black points are recorded against your licence in the traffic system, and serious violations are shared across emirates. If you commit an offence in a different emirate from where your licence was issued, the points still count toward your total.
Can a company car driver get black points?
Yes. The registered owner (the company) is notified first and must name the driver at the time of the offence; the points are then recorded against that driver’s licence.
What if someone else was driving my car?
You can report the actual driver to the police so the fine and points are transferred to them. This usually needs to be done within a set period and may require the other person to confirm.
The Bottom Line
Black points are the UAE’s way of making sure dangerous driving has consequences beyond a fine: 24 points and your licence is gone. The system is forgiving in one sense — a clean year wipes the slate, and rehabilitation courses can bring a heavy record down — but it is strict where it matters, with immediate confiscation for the worst offences. Drive within the rules, check your record occasionally, and take a course if the points start stacking up.
Last Updated: 8 October 2026
About the author: Zaviyar Sultan is a UAE-focused writer at Asandada24, covering driving, visas, banking, insurance and everyday UAE life. His guides are researched from official UAE government and regulator sources and updated regularly.
Asandada24 is an independent informational website, not affiliated with the UAE government or any agency mentioned; content is general information only, not legal, immigration or financial advice; verify critical details with official sources before acting.