Abu Dhabi extends grace period for traffic and parking fines

The three-month grace period announced earlier to clear pending fines — from June 1 to August 31 — has now been extended by three more months, according to a press release by the Traffic and Patrols Directorate at Abu Dhabi Police and the Department of Transport (DoT) in Abu Dhabi on Saturday.

The reprieve will be applicable for those who were issued at least two fines with a combined value of at least Dh1,000 and whose vehicle registration renewal date has already expired. The minimum two fines should include penalties for traffic and parking violations. Fines issued for single violations should be paid in full.

This initiative gives citizens and residents the opportunity to renew their vehicle licence by avoiding fine default.

Brigadier Engineer Hussain Ahmad Al Harithi, Director of Traffic and Patrols Directorate at Abu Dhabi Police said motorists can pay their fines in instalments at all branches of the Traffic and Patrols Directorate and the Vehicles and Drivers Licensing Department in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, and the Western Region.

He added that 2,988 individuals had availed of the reprieve in the past three months and the highest amount paid in monthly instalments was Dh60,000.

The official advised the beneficiaries of the reprieve to change their traffic behaviour and observe traffic rules. He stressed that neither Abu Dhabi Police nor the Department of Transport (DoT) in Abu Dhabi is happy to issue violation tickets.

Mohammad Hamad Bin Fahd Al Muhairi, Director General of Mawaqif Division (which deals with parking fines) at the DoT, said vehicle owners can always approach Mawaqif to submit their queries, grievances or suggestions pertaining to their violations. A committee will look into all grievances and take immediate decision to avoid delay in vehicle licence renewal, he added.

There is also the option for motorists to pay 50 per cent of the fine amount at the time of renewal of their vehicle registration and the remaining amount in monthly instalments within a year. This option is applicable for vehicles registered by individuals and excludes companies and other organisations.

If there is only one fine, it should be paid in full, irrespective of the amount.

The instalments scheme can be used to pay off traffic fines for vehicles registered in the UAE and does not cover cars with foreign, export or temporary number plates.

The easy payment option is applicable to traffic and parking fines issued in Abu Dhabi alone. Fines in other emirates should be paid in full during the renewal of the vehicle registration.

The fines issued by the UAE authorities, including the traffic police and municipalities in other emirates, Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) in Dubai, and authorities in other GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) nations do not come under the instalment payment system. If a person has two vehicles and both have been issued fines amounting to more than Dh1,000, he or she can pay the fine of one vehicle and renew the licence of both.

Motorists who wish to sell or export their car, have a tourist round trip certificate issued for it, or transfer the car within the UAE must first settle all remaining traffic fines.   Gulf News