Black Points in the UAE
Black points are penalty points added to your driving record for serious violations — on top of the fine. Reach the limit and your licence is suspended. Here’s how the system works.
24
points in 12 months → suspension
Suspension lengths
- 1st time you reach 24 points 3 months
- 2nd time 6 months
- 3rd time 1 year + mandatory retraining
How black points clear
Automatic expiry
Black points stay on your record for 12 months from the violation, then drop off automatically.
Traffic awareness course
Completing an approved course can remove up to 8 points (typically around AED 200, varies by emirate).
Accident-Free Day
During the Federal Traffic Council’s annual campaign, drivers who sign the pledge and stay incident-free that day have 4 points removed.
National Day amnesties
Some emirates (e.g. Sharjah) periodically cancel accumulated black points around National Day — watch the official police channels.
Which violations carry points?
See the full breakdown of points per violation in our UAE traffic fines list , or learn how fine discounts work.
Frequently asked questions
How many black points suspend your licence in the UAE?
Reaching 24 black points within 12 months leads to licence suspension. The first suspension is 3 months, the second 6 months, and the third a full year with mandatory retraining.
How long do black points stay on your licence?
Black points remain on your record for 12 months from the violation and then drop off automatically, provided you do not cross the suspension threshold.
Can I remove black points?
Yes. Completing an approved traffic awareness course can remove up to 8 points, and the annual Accident-Free Day campaign removes 4 points for drivers who sign the pledge and stay incident-free that day.
Does paying the fine remove the black points?
No. Paying a traffic fine settles the money only. Black points are a separate penalty and clear on their own schedule or through an approved course.