The Ministry of Interior has outlined 11 offences carrying penalties that include fines, traffic points, vehicle impoundment and, in specified cases, a one-year driving licence suspension.

The awareness notice, shared on X and Instagram, refers to Ministerial Resolution No. 178 of 2017 on traffic control rules and procedures, rather than introducing a new set of penalties.

A heavy-vehicle driver who causes an accident resulting in their vehicle or another vehicle overturning faces a fine of AED 3,000.

The offence also carries a one-year driving licence suspension, starting from the date the licence is withdrawn.

The same fine and suspension apply to truck drivers who overtake in a location where overtaking is prohibited, meaning payment of the fine alone does not cover the full penalty.

Cargo-related offences also carry substantial fines, with leaking or falling items from a heavy vehicle’s load attracting AED 3,000 and 12 traffic points.

Failing to cover a truck’s load carries a separate AED 3,000 fine, without traffic points under the published list.

Loading a heavy vehicle in a way that endangers others or damages the road results in a fine of AED 2,000 and six traffic points.

Failing to follow the mandatory route for a heavy vehicle carries a fine of AED 1,500 and 12 traffic points.

Operating industrial or construction vehicles, tractors or mechanical equipment without a permit from the licensing authority carries an AED 1,500 fine.

These provisions show that offences with the same financial penalty may have different accompanying consequences, making the traffic points and other sanctions important to check.

Driving or entering a heavy vehicle on prohibited roads or in restricted areas carries an AED 1,000 fine and four traffic points.

Failing to comply with loading or unloading arrangements in designated areas carries the same fine and four traffic points.

The list also includes technical requirements concerning tyre condition and reflective markings on trucks and transport vehicles.

Driving with unroadworthy tyres results in a fine of AED 500, four traffic points and vehicle impoundment for seven days.

Failing to install reflective stickers at the rear of trucks and transport vehicles carries an AED 500 fine.

The published penalties highlight the importance of checking vehicle condition, securing and covering cargo, and observing permitted routes, as the consequences vary according to the specific offence.

Source: UAE Ministry of Interior