Vehicle Towing and Impound Rules in Dubai: Complete Guide 2025

Having your vehicle towed is stressful and expensive. This guide explains everything about towing rules in Dubai - why it happens, what it costs, and how to get your car back.

Why Vehicles Get Towed in Dubai

Parking Violations

| Violation | Likely to be Towed? | |-----------|-------------------| | Blocking traffic | Yes | | Blocking driveways | Yes | | Fire lane parking | Yes | | Disabled space (no permit) | Sometimes | | Double parking | Sometimes | | No parking zone | Sometimes | | Expired parking | Rarely |

Traffic Violations

| Violation | Towing Likely? | |-----------|---------------| | Reckless driving | Yes - vehicle confiscated | | Street racing | Yes - vehicle confiscated | | DUI | Yes - mandatory | | Excessive speeding (80+ over) | Yes - 60 days | | Fleeing accident scene | Yes |

Administrative Reasons

| Reason | Action | |--------|--------| | Abandoned vehicle (30+ days) | Towed and auctioned | | Expired registration (90+ days) | May be towed | | Uninsured vehicle | May be towed | | Wanted vehicle | Immediately towed |

Towing Authority

Who Can Tow Your Vehicle?

Dubai Police - Traffic violations
RTA (Roads and Transport Authority) - Parking violations
Municipalities - Abandoned vehicles
Private property owners - Unauthorized parking (with authority approval)

Private Towing

Private parking areas (malls, buildings) can arrange towing for:

Unauthorized parking
Blocking access
Overstaying in private areas

Note: They need proper authorization and signage.

Towing and Impound Costs

Dubai Police Towing

| Service | Fee (AED) | |---------|-----------| | Towing charge | 350 | | Daily storage (light vehicle) | 50 | | Daily storage (heavy vehicle) | 100 | | Release processing | 100 |

Additional Costs

| Item | Cost (AED) | |------|------------| | Outstanding traffic fines | Varies | | Parking violations | 150-1,000 | | Administrative fees | 50-100 |

Example: Total Cost Calculation

Towing:                AED 350
Storage (3 days):      AED 150
Processing:            AED 100
Traffic fine:          AED 500
----------------------------
Total:                 AED 1,100

How to Find Your Towed Vehicle

Immediate Steps

Check for towing notice on ground where car was parked
Call Dubai Police - 901 or 04-269-2222
Check Dubai Police app for vehicle status
Call RTA - 800-9090 for parking-related towing

Vehicle Location Methods

Dubai Police App
- Traffic services section
- Enter plate number
- View impound location
Dubai Police Website
- Online services
- Traffic fine inquiry
- Shows impound status
SMS Service
- Send plate number to 4488
- Receive status and location

Main Impound Yards

Al Qusais Impound
Al Awir Impound
Various district locations

Retrieving Your Vehicle

Required Documents

✅ Emirates ID (original)
✅ Driving license
✅ Vehicle registration card
✅ Insurance certificate
✅ Fine payment receipts

For Registered Owner

Visit impound yard
Present all documents
Pay all outstanding fines
Pay towing and storage fees
Complete release form
Retrieve vehicle

If Not the Registered Owner

Additional requirements:

Authorization letter from owner
Owner's ID copy
Your ID (original)
May need power of attorney

If Owner is Outside UAE

Power of attorney required
Attested by UAE embassy
Authorized person can retrieve
Contact Dubai Police for guidance

Vehicle Confiscation (Different from Towing)

When Vehicles Are Confiscated

| Violation | Confiscation Period | |-----------|-------------------| | Speeding 80+ km/h over | 60 days | | Street racing | 60 days | | DUI (repeat offense) | Up to 90 days | | Reckless driving | 30-60 days |

Confiscation vs. Towing

| Aspect | Towing | Confiscation | |--------|--------|--------------| | Duration | Until retrieved | Fixed period | | Purpose | Remove from location | Punishment | | Early release | Yes, after payment | Generally no | | Daily fees | Yes | Yes (storage) |

Abandoned Vehicles

Definition

A vehicle is considered abandoned if:

Left in same location 30+ days
No valid registration
No contact with owner

Process

Vehicle marked with notice
Owner given 30 days to respond
If unclaimed, vehicle towed
Stored for set period
Auctioned if still unclaimed

If Your Vehicle Was Marked

Respond immediately
Contact authorities
Move or retrieve vehicle
Pay any outstanding fees

Private Property Towing

Your Rights

If towed from private property:

Signage must be visible
Warning usually given first
Fees must be reasonable
You can dispute unfair towing

Disputes

Document the situation
Photo of where you parked
Check for signage
File complaint if unfair

How to Avoid Getting Towed

Parking Best Practices

Check all signage before parking
Never block driveways or traffic
Pay for parking when required
Set reminders for parking time
Use legal parking only

Traffic Best Practices

Follow speed limits - No speeding 80+ over
Never drink and drive - Automatic confiscation
Stop at accidents - Fleeing = confiscation
Drive responsibly - No racing or reckless driving

Registration and Insurance

Keep registration current
Renew before expiration
Maintain valid insurance
Display valid plates

If You Witness Your Car Being Towed

What to Do

Approach calmly and identify yourself
Show ID and ownership proof
Pay fine on spot if possible
Get towing reference number
Ask where it will be taken

What NOT to Do

Don't obstruct the tow truck
Don't argue aggressively
Don't attempt to drive away
Don't leave without information

Personal Belongings in Towed Vehicle

Retrieving Items

Can retrieve essential items at impound
Bring ID and registration proof
May need appointment
Valuables should be removed promptly

Recommendations

Don't leave valuables in car
Keep registration documents separate
Have spare keys at home
Important items in bag you carry

Disputing a Tow

Valid Reasons to Dispute

Signage not visible
Vehicle was legally parked
Technical error
Emergency circumstances

Dispute Process

Document everything (photos, witnesses)
File complaint at Dubai Police
Provide evidence
Await investigation
Appeal if needed

If Dispute Successful

Towing fees refunded
Fine cancelled
Record corrected

Special Situations

Rental Vehicles

Contact rental company immediately
They may handle retrieval
You're responsible for fines
Review rental agreement

Company Vehicles

Inform company immediately
Company may need to authorize release
Employee usually pays fines
Check company policy

Leased/Financed Vehicles

You can retrieve normally
Finance company may be notified
Ensure payments current
Keep documentation

Important Contact Numbers

| Service | Number | |---------|--------| | Dubai Police (non-emergency) | 901 | | Dubai Police (traffic) | 04-269-2222 | | RTA Customer Service | 800-9090 | | Dubai Municipality | 800-900 |

Frequently Asked Questions

How long before a vehicle is auctioned?

Typically 3-6 months after impound if unclaimed. You'll receive notices before auction.

Can I get my car back after confiscation period?

Yes, after the confiscation period ends and all fines are paid.

What if I can't afford the fees?

Contact Dubai Police for payment plan options. Vehicle will accumulate storage fees.

Is there interest on late payment?

No interest, but storage fees continue daily.

Can someone else retrieve my car?

Yes, with proper authorization and documentation.

Conclusion

Vehicle towing in Dubai is straightforward but can be expensive. Prevention is always better:

Park legally - Check signage
Drive responsibly - Follow all rules
Maintain documents - Current registration and insurance
Act quickly if towed - Storage fees add up

If your vehicle is towed, stay calm, gather documents, and visit the impound yard as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the more expensive it gets.

Drive responsibly and you'll never need this guide!