In the UAE, is it possible for dashboard camera footage to be used to contest a traffic penalty?
In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), motorists have the right to appeal traffic fines if they believe they were issued in error. This guide will outline the process of contesting a fine and the rules surrounding the use of dashcam footage in traffic disputes.
If you receive a traffic fine in Abu Dhabi, you can file a complaint by visiting the Abu Dhabi Police e-complaints portal at cas.adpolice.gov.ae. The traffic department will review your complaint and may call you for further information. If the fine was issued incorrectly, it will be reversed by the department.
In Dubai, drivers can contest a fine by visiting the General Directorate of Traffic headquarters in Al Barsha or the nearest police station and requesting to file a complaint. Alternatively, you can object to the traffic fine online through the Dubai Public Prosecution website.
For other Emirates such as Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Umm Al Quwain, Fujairah, drivers can contest a traffic fine with the Ministry of Interior through their MOI app.
Placing a dashboard camera (dashcam) helps both motorists and traffic police, as long as it is used to film the road ahead and to help determine fault and liability in motor vehicle accidents. However, not every video recorded by a dashcam is considered valid evidence; the footage must be clear and show the incident accurately.
It is important to note that using dashcam footage to violate a person's right to privacy by posting pictures and videos online can result in jail time and heavy monetary fines under the UAE's cybercrimes law, penal code, and copyright law. Article 378 of the UAE Penal Code stipulates that a person shall be punished by detention and fined if they violate an individual's privacy by recording them without consent.
The law regulating the use of dashboard cameras in traffic offenses and penalizing privacy violations for posting footage online was authored by the UAE's legislative authorities, specifically government bodies responsible for traffic and privacy regulations. Prosecutors will summon the driver and check radars or surveillance cameras in the area to verify the offence, according to Dubai Police in 2021.
In Sharjah, the police have stated that dashcams help in disputing traffic fine violation cases. Dashcam footage can be used in traffic dispute cases and can be validated by authorities as evidence in accident investigations.
Owning a dashcam is not illegal in the UAE, but filming someone without their permission could be considered an invasion of privacy and land the owner in legal trouble.
This article was published on April 2, 2025, and has been updated since. If you have any questions or need further clarification, we recommend contacting the relevant traffic authorities in your Emirate.
