News

Think your bike rack is harmless? It could cost you Dh400, warn Abu Dhabi Police

Published

9 months ago

November 3, 2025

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Abu Dhabi Police have issued a strong warning to motorists against obscuring their vehicle license plates in any way. Covering plates with bicycles, luggage racks, or other objects that make the numbers or category markings hard to read is strictly prohibited.

Under Article 27(b) of the Federal Traffic Law, offenders face a Dh400 fine. The police emphasised that number plates must remain clearly visible at all times to support law enforcement, surveillance, and traffic monitoring systems. Even unintentional obstructions, such as those caused by a bike rack or rear-mounted cargo, can result in penalties.

Authorities have intensified traffic surveillance across the capital using Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology and have warned that legal action will be taken against repeat or deliberate offenders.

Drivers are urged to ensure their license plates remain clean and unobstructed to avoid fines and help maintain safer roads throughout Abu Dhabi.

License Plate Penalties Across the UAE

Here’s how the penalties apply across the Emirates:

Abu Dhabi: Dh400 fine for obscured or covered plates. Intentional tampering may lead to vehicle impoundment and fines of up to Dh50,000.
Dubai: Dh400 fine for obscuring plates. Serious offences such as tampering, using counterfeit plates, or removing them can result in higher fines, black points, or vehicle impoundment. Forgery-related violations may attract fines of up to Dh20,000 and possible imprisonment.
Sharjah: Dh400 fine for obscuring plates in accordance with federal law.
Ajman: Dh400 fine, with enforcement consistent with federal traffic regulations.
Ras Al Khaimah: Dh400 fine for plate obstruction; stricter penalties for tampering under Federal Decree-Law No. 14 of 2024.
Fujairah: Dh400 fine under federal regulation.
Umm Al Quwain: Dh400 fine, aligned with nationwide standards.

Across the UAE, federal traffic laws impose a baseline fine of Dh400 for obscuring plates, while more serious offences involving deliberate tampering or forgery attract heavier penalties, including fines, black points, impoundment, or even jail time.

Motorists are reminded that traffic monitoring has been intensified nationwide, underscoring the UAE’s commitment to road safety and accountability.

Related Topics:abudhabipolice AbuDhabiTraffic Dh400Fine LicensePlateLaw RoadSafetyUAE TrafficSafety uaelaws VehicleRegulations

Michael Gomes

With over 35 years of experience in journalism, copywriting, and PR, Michael Gomes is a seasoned media professional deeply rooted in the UAE’s print and digital landscape.

Business

No cash? No card? No problem: Now shop at Dubai Duty Free with crypto

Published

8 mins ago

August 5, 2026

Michael Gomes

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Dubai Duty Free has become the first airport retailer in the Middle East to introduce Crypto.com Pay, allowing eligible UAE residents to pay for purchases using their Crypto.com accounts.

The new payment option is now available at Dubai International Airport (DXB), Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC/AMIA) and online at Dubai Duty Free’s website.

The rollout follows a strategic partnership signed between Dubai Duty Free and Crypto.com in July 2025 and supports Dubai’s wider push towards a cashless economy under the D33 Economic Agenda.

How it works

For in-store purchases, shoppers simply select Crypto.com Pay at checkout, scan the QR code displayed at the counter using the Crypto.com app and approve the payment. The transaction is processed instantly, with Dubai Duty Free receiving settlement in UAE dirhams.

Online shoppers can also choose Crypto.com Pay during checkout, scan the QR code generated on the payment page and confirm the transaction through the Crypto.com app. Mobile users are redirected directly to the app before returning to complete their purchase.

Available for eligible UAE residents

The service is currently available to eligible UAE residents with a Crypto.com account. Payments are processed through Crypto.com’s regulated payment platform, with transactions settled in dirhams.

Dubai Duty Free said the launch expands its range of digital payment options, which already includes Apple Pay, Alipay and TerraPay, while offering customers another convenient way to pay.

The move also strengthens Dubai’s ambition to become a global leader in digital commerce, with the emirate targeting 90 per cent of financial transactions to be cashless by the end of 2026.

News

Visiting Wafi Mall? Your parking can now be paid through Salik

Published

20 hours ago

August 4, 2026

Michael Gomes

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Parking at Wafi Mall has gone fully digital.

Parkonic has introduced its ticketless parking system at the popular Dubai mall, allowing motorists to pay parking fees automatically through their Salik accounts or by scanning a QR code before leaving.

When drivers enter the car park, their vehicle’s number plate is automatically scanned, creating a digital parking ticket without the need for paper tickets or parking machines.

Parking charges

First 3 hours: Free
3–4 hours: Dh15
Each additional hour (or part): Dh10

Parking charges apply Monday to Friday, while parking remains free on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays.

Drivers who leave and return after using their three free hours will be treated as a new entry. However, to receive another three hours of free parking on the same day, there must be a two-hour gap between visits.

There are no cash payment options or parking machines at the site. Visitors without a Salik account, or those with insufficient balance, must pay using an alternative payment method before exiting.

Loading bay vehicles are eligible for one extra hour of free parking once validated.

Parkonic warned that motorists who fail to pay the required parking fees could face fines, blacklisting or legal action.

The operator has been expanding its ticketless parking network across the UAE, with recent rollouts at West Yas Plaza, Yas Bay, Yas Marina, selected Choithrams stores, Discovery Gardens and Palm Jumeirah Crescent.

News

Four-day deadline for Sharjah motorists to claim impounded vehicles

Published

20 hours ago

August 4, 2026

Michael Gomes

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If your vehicle has been impounded in Sharjah, now is the time to check.

Sharjah City Municipality has given owners of impounded vehicles, machinery, motorcycles and bicycles four days to complete the necessary release procedures or risk having their property sold at a public auction.

The warning applies to vehicles and equipment that have remained impounded for more than six months.

Owners are required to visit the Control and Inspection Department in Industrial Area 5 to resolve the reason for the impoundment and complete the legal procedures needed to recover their property.

After the deadline, any unclaimed vehicles or equipment will be put up for public auction.

To help owners, the municipality has published a list of all affected vehicles on its official website, allowing residents to check whether their vehicle is included before visiting the department.

The move is part of Sharjah Municipality’s ongoing efforts to regulate impounded assets and encourage owners to complete the required procedures within the specified timeframe.