When your car is impounded in Dubai, you might have heard of the so-called smart impound fine. As you’ll soon find out, this process and its costs are quite different from other forms of impounding cars. In this article, we will aim to provide you with all the information you should be aware of concerning what a smart impound fine is in Dubai, which fees they include, how to pay them, and how to avoid incurring these fines.
What is a Smart Impound Fine?
A Smart Impound Fine in Dubai means the fees you are charged when your car is impounded using the Smart Impound System. This system is aimed at more efficiently handling and tracking vehicles that have been towed due to violations of traffic laws. It entails placing a tracking device on the vehicle and costs associated with the smart tracker fee and the release fee.
Smart Tracker Fee
The smart tracker fee is a fee charged for the tracking device fitted on your car throughout the impound period. The initial installation might also be accompanied by an additional fee.
- First Month: AED 500 (around $136 USD)
- Subsequent Months: AED 100 (around USD 27) per month
Release Fee
It is the amount to be paid to get your vehicle out of the smart impound for the first time, apart from any traffic fines you may have incurred. The standard fee for release is AED 100, which is approximately USD 27.
Daily Late Collection Fee
If you do not retrieve your car within the impound period, you can incur an extra fee of AED 50 per day (around 14 USD).
Why Does Dubai Use Smart Impound?
Dubai adopted a smart impound system in a bid to improve how it deals with impounded vehicles. This system plays a significant role in tracking the status and whereabouts of impounded cars to avoid their misuse or interference while in impound. It also has advantages for those who own vehicles and the authorities.
Detailed Breakdown of Smart Impound Fees
Initial Costs
- Smart Tracker Installation: The initial installation of the tracker device can be charged separately and is included in the first month’s tracker fee of AED 500.
Monthly Fees
- First Month: AED 500 (approximately USD 136) for the first month of the specified service.
- Subsequent Months: AED 100 (around $27 USD) for each additional month if the impound period goes beyond the first month.
Release Fee
- One-Time Fee: AED 100 (around USD 27) to release your vehicle from the impound.
Late Collection Penalty
- Daily Fee: AED 50 (around $14 USD) for each day you fail to reclaim your vehicle once the impound period is completed.
Methods to Pay Smart Impound Fines in Dubai
The steps to paying your smart impound fine in Dubai are as follows. Here is a step-by-step guide that can help:
1. Check Your Fines and Impound Details
Online via the Dubai Police Website or App
- Visit the Dubai Police Website: Go to the Official website of the Dubai Police Smart Impound.
- Use the Dubai Police App, which is compatible with the Android and IOS operating systems.
- Required Information: You can refer to your fines and impound through the Emirates ID, Traffic File Number, License Plate Number, or Fine Number.
2. Pay Your Traffic Fines
However, you cannot pay the smart impound fine until you have cleared any traffic fines that you still have. Here are the available methods:
Online Payment
- Dubai Police Website: Pay by Credit/Debit Card (Visa or Master Card) or eDIRHAM.
- Dubai Police App: Offers the same payment options as the website.
In-Person Payment
- Dubai Police Service Centers: Pay in cash or by card at any police service centre.
- RTA Customer Service Centers: Similar to police centres, these offer various payment methods.
- Self-Service Kiosks: Located in police stations and shopping malls, these kiosks allow for cash or card payments.
3. Pay the Smart Impound Release Fee
Once your traffic fines are settled, you can proceed to pay the smart impound release fee. This can be done using the methods mentioned above to pay traffic fines.
Tips to Avoid Smart Impound Fines
Preventing your car from being impounded in the first place is always the best strategy. Here are some tips to help you avoid smart impound fines:
Adhere to Traffic Rules
The most direct way of avoiding fines and/or impoundment is to obey traffic laws. Also, make sure that you are always in a position to observe and adhere to the local traffic laws.
Regular Vehicle Maintenance
Ensure that you maintain your car well to avoid having it impounded due to problems like bad brakes or mechanical defects.
Pay Fines Promptly
If you are slapped with traffic fines, ensure that you pay the amount to avoid accruing other penalties and losing your car to towing companies.
Stay Informed
Occasionally search for any updates or modifications on traffic laws or penalties for traffic violations in Dubai. You can also avoid these situations by ensuring you know the Constitution’s provisions.
Read Also: How To Renew Driving License In Dubai
Final Words
For any vehicle owner in Dubai, it is important to have some knowledge about the smart impound fine. By understanding the costs, payment procedures, and measures to avoid these fines, an individual will be adequately prepared should they encounter a vehicle impound. It is always recommended to obey traffic laws to the letter and always pay any traffic fine without fail to avoid the inconvenience of a smart impound.
