Abu Dhabi police’s priority is the safety of all personnel including motorists, passengers and pedestrians. So, in order to maintain compliance with laws, Abu Dhabi police launched the “Initiate and Benefit” initiative years ago. This initiative provides several payment facilities including discounts of up to 35%, installments without interest and Mercy Petitions. Both citizens and residents can take advantage of the initiative.
Traffic fine discount reaches 35% if the fine is paid within the initial 60 days of the violation date; discount includes “Vehicle Reservation Allowance” and “Delay Penalty” if found. The discount falls to 25% if the fine is paid after two months but before one year of the violation issuing; the discount here doesn’t include “Vehicle Reservation Allowance” and “Delay Penalty” if found. Paying the fine in time, as in one year, doesn’t apply any discounts.
Furthermore, Abu Dhabi’s police department collaborated with a group of banks that allow motorists to pay their fines in interest-free installments over 12 months. One just needs to use a credit card issued from one of those local banks:
- Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (ADCB)
- Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB)
- First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB)
- Mashreq Al Islami Bank
- Emirates Islamic Bank
For the sake of safety, traffic police excluded a set of violations from the merit of ease for being extremely dangerous and reckless. These violations include:
- Exceeding the permitted speed limit
- Driving while being drunk or drugged
- Running the red lights
- Taking over the road shoulder lane
- Abrupt swerving of the vehicle
- Running away from police officers
- Carrying unauthorized flammable or hazardous materials.
- Using the phone while driving; calling, texting, scrolling…etc.
If the motorist believes the violation has an acceptable excuse or was out of their hands, they can apply for a Mercy Petition. These excuses involve vehicle malfunction, traffic accidents, weather and more. The petition as well as the violation are reviewed by a special committee from Abu Dhabi’s traffic police to express a decision therein. Mercy Petitions are available through the Abu Dhabi Police Official Website, smartphone applications and by hand in one of the Abu Dhabi Police Headquarters.
It is advisable to check for traffic fines every now and then to make use of the inclusive 35% discount by paying within the first 60 days. Motorists can inquire about their traffic violations through the Abu Dhabi Police Official Website. Click on “Public Services” followed by “Inquiries about the traffic fines” and pick the method you prefer. You can pick one of three methods which are:
- Traffic Code Number
- Plate Information
- Driving Licence
A traffic code number is the number of the motorist’s file in the traffic system in the UAE. It can be found on the vehicle’s possession certificate and the newly issued driving licences.
Motorists can pay their fines online as well; use credit cards to fulfill the payment through the website or the mobile application.
Finally, we’ve handed you every detail on how to get a discount on traffic fines in Abu Dhabi.