Blog

Recently there was an article in the Khaleej Times about the black points of the driving license.  Approximately 1,680 drivers in Abu Dhabi used the police's special scheme in 2022 to lower their black points. A lot of people were able to retrieve their confiscated licenses.

The UAE Police instituted the black point system to promote defensive driving. The accumulation of too many "black" points on your record might result in penalties including vehicle seizure or license suspension. The good news is that you won't remember these things forever. Today, we'll learn how to avoid black points and how long they persist.

What is the Black Point System All About?

Consider Black Points in the UAE as additional license points assessed for infractions of local traffic laws. Every traffic infraction in the UAE has already been assigned a predetermined number of black points. As a result, any infraction will instantly result in the addition of black points to your license. In the UAE, 24 black points are the maximum number permitted. 

If your license has 24 points, it may be revoked for a period of three months to a year. The first 24-point penalty results in the release of your license after three months. Six months are taken away as punishment for the second offence, and a year is added to the suspension period for the third offence. Acquiring a valid license requires you to successfully pass the RTAs required tests about secure driving tactics.

How Long do Black Points Last?

Black points on a driver's record are valid for a year. You must, however, watch that your total number of black points for the year doesn't go beyond 24 at any given time. Your license will be suspended the moment these total more than 24.

The license suspension lasts for three to six months. A driver's license will be suspended for a full year if their points total more than 24 for the third time. The driver is responsible for each suspension under the law. Additionally, following each suspension, the driver must retake a driving course and test.

Ways to Reduce Black Points:

The Abu Dhabi Police described how their "traffic reduction initiative," which was implemented a while ago, helped drivers while increasing public knowledge of safe driving practices. Now let's take a look at them:

• Awareness Classes

As discussed above, to assist the public in lowering black points in the UAE, the traffic authorities of Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and the other emirates hold awareness classes.  The government provides a wide range of courses.

According to the number of points on your license that are black, you can select the awareness classes. The Dubai Police Department provides unique driving training to lower black points. Costs for a course to remove eight black points average AED 200. 

• Redemption Programs

On some occasions, the Dubai Police and the regulatory bodies from the other emirates advertise special discounts and redemption offers. 

In the UAE, significant discounts are given for holidays like Eid and special festivals like Ramadan when it comes to the traffic fines assessed for traffic violations and redeeming black points.

• Social Media Campaigns

A fresh campaign that raises traffic awareness via social media has been launched in some northern emirates, including Ras Al Khaimah. By participating in this awareness campaign, you can have your UAE black points reduced. 

To participate in this initiative, all you have to do is post traffic rule awareness videos on your social media accounts and apps. In a shorter amount of time, this programme seeks to raise awareness among a bigger population.

• Black Points Transfer System

There may situations wherein the black points on your license were caused by someone else who drove your vehicle and you may have been imposed with RTA traffic fines. In such situations, you can have the recent black points on your license transferred if you believe they were caused by someone else's negligence. 

Simply make a request for the same by calling the Dubai police department's toll-free helpline number. Any other issues relating to black points can also be resolved through the helpdesk.

• Safe Driving Courses

The black point offenders are invited to attend many safe driving courses that Dubai Police has organised. Depending on how many black points a student has on their license, there are normally three different programme options available in these courses. 

If a driver completes the course in the first scheme, they are eligible for a maximum annual point deduction of eight for having eight to 23 black points. The second programme offers courses to drivers who have 24 black points and have had their licenses revoked; the third programme is for drivers who have had their vehicles seized.

• Drive Safe and Avoid Black Points

The secret to preventing accidents is defensive and attentive driving. It is best for any driver to maintain their own safety as well as that of everyone else around them and in the car. Only in the Dubai Autodrome is it permitted to drive quickly in Dubai; otherwise, it's best to stay off the roads. Following these guidelines will prevent you from receiving Dubai traffic violations while also ensuring your safety.

You could get into trouble with black points. It's a fact that we should confirm time and time again. Don't panic, though, if you have a few black points. Learn from your errors, have them fixed, and don't do it again!