Quick answer
Before selling a car in the UAE, check all fines on the car's traffic file using official apps: RTA and Dubai Police for Dubai, TAMM for Abu Dhabi, and the MOI UAE app or emirate police services elsewhere. Pay traffic, parking and toll fines, or have the buyer settle them from the sale price. Check your Salik balance and update the account once the plate is transferred.
Fines are one of the most common reasons a car sale stalls in the UAE. The buyer is ready, the price is agreed, and then the transfer can't go through because of a speeding ticket from two years ago. Here's how to find and clear everything first.
Why fines matter for a sale
Traffic authorities generally won't complete a transfer or cancellation while fines are outstanding on the vehicle's file. That applies whether you're selling privately, trading in or scrapping.
Step 1: Check all fines on official apps
Use official government sources only.
| Where the car is registered | Where to check |
|---|---|
| Dubai | RTA Dubai app or website, Dubai Police app |
| Abu Dhabi and Al Ain | TAMM |
| Sharjah, Ajman, RAK, Fujairah, UAQ | Emirate police services or the MOI UAE app |
Search by plate number, traffic file number or Emirates ID, depending on the app.
Step 2: Understand what you're looking at
- Traffic fines: speeding, red lights, lane violations and similar
- Parking fines: municipal and paid parking operators
- Toll violations: Salik in Dubai, Darb in Abu Dhabi
- Registration fines: for late renewal
- Fines from other emirates, which may also appear
Black points belong to your driving licence, not the car. Selling the car doesn't change them.
Step 3: Pay, or settle from the sale
You have two options:
- Pay directly through the official app before listing the car.
- Settle from the sale price with a buyer who handles fines as part of the transfer.
If money is tight, the second option means you don't need to find cash up front.
Step 4: Deal with Salik
In Dubai, your Salik tag is linked to the car's plate.
- Check your balance in the Salik app or website.
- Once the car is transferred or the plate surrendered, update or close the account.
- Ask Salik about refunds of any remaining balance.
In Abu Dhabi, check your Darb account similarly.
Step 5: Check again just before the transfer
New fines can appear between listing and selling, especially if the car is still being driven. Do a final check on the day.
Fines when someone else was driving
Fines on the vehicle file belong to the car's record, whoever was driving. That catches out owners who lent their car to a friend, family member or employee, and company fleets with multiple drivers. The fines still need clearing before a transfer. Settle them first, then recover the money from the driver privately if appropriate. For fleets, read selling fleet and company cars.
Parking fines vs traffic fines
Parking fines are often issued by municipalities or parking operators rather than the police, so they can appear in different places:
| Type | Typically issued by | Where to check |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic violations | Police, traffic authorities | Police and traffic apps |
| Public paid parking | Municipality or parking authority | Parking or traffic apps |
| Toll violations | Salik (Dubai), Darb (Abu Dhabi) | Toll operator apps |
| Private car parks | Mall or building operators | The operator directly |
Check each relevant source so nothing blocks the transfer at the last minute.
If the fines are larger than you expected
- Check whether any fines relate to another vehicle on your traffic file.
- Look out for official discount schemes.
- If fines exceed the car's value, a buyer can explain the options before you commit.
Related guides
- Can I sell a car with a loan in the UAE?
- What documents do you need to sell a car in the UAE?
- Selling a car with fines before leaving the UAE
Or skip the running around: we buy cars with fines and settle them from the price.
Frequently asked questions
How long after paying a fine can I transfer the car?
Can I dispute a fine I don't think is mine?
Do I have to pay fines before selling my car in Dubai?
What happens to my Salik balance when I sell my car?
Do fines from other emirates show up in Dubai?
Are there discounts on traffic fines in the UAE?
Written by the JunkMyCar Editorial Team
Published 17 September 2026. Last checked and updated 17 September 2026.
We write from the day-to-day work of buying damaged and non-running cars across the UAE, and check legal and procedural points against official sources such as RTA, TAMM and the Central Bank of the UAE. Rules and fees change, so confirm anything important with the relevant authority. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.