Dubai police issues warning against illegal car modifications; heavy traffic fines to be imposed

Tejen Chaudhary
Tejen Chaudhary
Est. Reading Time 3 mins

Key highlights

  • Dubai police warns drivers against illegal car modifications
  • Hefty traffic fines to be imposed on technical violations by modification
  • Learn the traffic rules and regulations for car modification in Dubai

To make Dubai roads safer, the traffic department has issued a warning to all drivers and car owners operating with car modifications. Dubai police aims to impose hefty traffic fines on illegally modified cars which create nuisance and disturbance for other road users. Learn below which types of car modifications are illegal in Dubai and how can you avoid getting fined for illegal car modifications.

But, before you proceed, do check out our fleet of used cars in Dubai. CARS24 offers the best quality second-hand cars after checking each individual unit over 150 quality checkpoints. CARS24 offers an array of pre-owned SUV cars, pre-owned sedan cars, and pre-owned hatchback cars in Dubai.

Also read:  Top 5 tips to get high resale value for your used car in UAE

Car modification fine in Dubai

Car modification

As per the General Department of Traffic, Dubai; a total of 12,109 vehicles have been fined within the year 2024 for illegal car modifications. Additionally, 5,523 cars out of this were fined for causing excessive noise pollution. Moreover, 6,496 cars have been fined for fiddling and modifying their engines or chassis for performance.

Dubai is well known for its strict traffic rules and regulations. Dubai traffic department has been top-most in implementing strict road use rules. If a car is found breaking the law with illegal modifications, it can be fined up to AED 10,000 or further impounded if found creating serious danger to other road users. Not to mention, the fine amount for car modification itself is too high to take any risks.

Also read: Alloy wheels guide: types, benefits, advantages, & tips to buy

Car modification in Dubai - what's not allowed?

Car modification

So, what are these modifications that attract such fines? As per the traffic department of Dubai, a vehicle must comply with the traffic rules and manufacturer's specifications. Anything beyond these is unacceptable and bound to attract big fines or vehicle impoundment. Some of these crucial rules are as follows:

Engine tuning

Any modification with the engine components that has been done to increase the horsepower is not allowed. Aftermarket components that amplify the power of a vehicle are illegal in Dubai traffic laws.

Exhaust modification

Modifying the exhaust system of a vehicle to increase its power or noise is not allowed. Excessive noise causes disturbance to the nearby environment and it is not welcomed by the traffic rules either.

Chassis tampering

Cutting, extending, shortening, or any other sort of tampering with the original chassis of the vehicle is illegal. This could prove dangerous or even fatal during emergency situations on the road like collisions.

Oversize wheels or camber alterations

Wheels that are stuck out of the body shell of a car or with excessive camber alterations, are illegal in Dubai. This could pose a life threat to the other road users, and hence attract huge fines.

Aftermarket horn

Cars installed with aftermarket horns are a prime reason for creating high noise pollution levels. These horns produce noise above the permissible DB levels.

Also read: Toyota Celica is coming back soon; report hint of a new model in the making

Our verdict

As a responsible road user, one must comply with all traffic laws and regulations, may it be in Dubai or any other location in the world. Additionally, Dubai's rules and regulations have been curated in a way that they provide safety and security to everyone on the roads. Hence, illegal car modification must be avoided and the traffic rules should be followed with complete sincerity.  

Key highlights

  • Dubai police warns drivers against illegal car modifications
  • Hefty traffic fines to be imposed on technical violations by modification
  • Learn the traffic rules and regulations for car modification in Dubai

To make Dubai roads safer, the traffic department has issued a warning to all drivers and car owners operating with car modifications. Dubai police aims to impose hefty traffic fines on illegally modified cars which create nuisance and disturbance for other road users. Learn below which types of car modifications are illegal in Dubai and how can you avoid getting fined for illegal car modifications.

But, before you proceed, do check out our fleet of used cars in Dubai. CARS24 offers the best quality second-hand cars after checking each individual unit over 150 quality checkpoints. CARS24 offers an array of pre-owned SUV cars, pre-owned sedan cars, and pre-owned hatchback cars in Dubai.

Also read:  Top 5 tips to get high resale value for your used car in UAE

Car modification fine in Dubai

Car modification

As per the General Department of Traffic, Dubai; a total of 12,109 vehicles have been fined within the year 2024 for illegal car modifications. Additionally, 5,523 cars out of this were fined for causing excessive noise pollution. Moreover, 6,496 cars have been fined for fiddling and modifying their engines or chassis for performance.

Dubai is well known for its strict traffic rules and regulations. Dubai traffic department has been top-most in implementing strict road use rules. If a car is found breaking the law with illegal modifications, it can be fined up to AED 10,000 or further impounded if found creating serious danger to other road users. Not to mention, the fine amount for car modification itself is too high to take any risks.

Also read: Alloy wheels guide: types, benefits, advantages, & tips to buy

Car modification in Dubai - what's not allowed?

Car modification

So, what are these modifications that attract such fines? As per the traffic department of Dubai, a vehicle must comply with the traffic rules and manufacturer's specifications. Anything beyond these is unacceptable and bound to attract big fines or vehicle impoundment. Some of these crucial rules are as follows:

Engine tuning

Any modification with the engine components that has been done to increase the horsepower is not allowed. Aftermarket components that amplify the power of a vehicle are illegal in Dubai traffic laws.

Exhaust modification

Modifying the exhaust system of a vehicle to increase its power or noise is not allowed. Excessive noise causes disturbance to the nearby environment and it is not welcomed by the traffic rules either.

Chassis tampering

Cutting, extending, shortening, or any other sort of tampering with the original chassis of the vehicle is illegal. This could prove dangerous or even fatal during emergency situations on the road like collisions.

Oversize wheels or camber alterations

Wheels that are stuck out of the body shell of a car or with excessive camber alterations, are illegal in Dubai. This could pose a life threat to the other road users, and hence attract huge fines.

Aftermarket horn

Cars installed with aftermarket horns are a prime reason for creating high noise pollution levels. These horns produce noise above the permissible DB levels.

Also read: Toyota Celica is coming back soon; report hint of a new model in the making

Our verdict

As a responsible road user, one must comply with all traffic laws and regulations, may it be in Dubai or any other location in the world. Additionally, Dubai's rules and regulations have been curated in a way that they provide safety and security to everyone on the roads. Hence, illegal car modification must be avoided and the traffic rules should be followed with complete sincerity.  

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Tejen Chaudhary

Fueled by passion and love for automobiles, Tejen has been writing and editing automotive content for more than a decade. It is his expertise of technical knowledge about cars that sets him apart.

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