As many as 497 vehicles have been seized over unpaid traffic fines and expired registrations during the first half of 2026, Dubai Police announced on Sunday, adding that some penalties amounted to "tens of thousands of dirhams".
In a statement, Brigadier Juma Salem bin Suwaidan, Director of the General Department of Traffic at Dubai Police, said the inspections showed that "several owners had not renewed their vehicle registrations for years".
He affirmed that leniency in paying fines or leaving a vehicle unregistered does not absolve the owner of responsibility.
The officer urged drivers to regularly review their traffic records and settle accumulated fines without delay, or face legal action.
Brig. Juma bin Suwaidan warned that "driving an unregistered vehicle poses a serious safety risk... especially if the vehicle has not undergone technical inspection to check its roadworthiness".
The officer explained that specialised teams use smart tech to locate vehicles that are on the "wanted" list and owners are first given a chance to settle fines before legal action is taken.
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