Dubai: If your car has been seized by the authorities as the result of a serious traffic violation, you still have the option of keeping your vehicle at home, thanks to the Smart Impound service, available in several emirates across the UAE.Recently, the Abu Dhabi Police General Headquarters announced that customers can request the service for their impounded vehicles, in the capital. Sharjah’s authorities offer this facility, too.Here’s how you can apply for the Smart Impound service in these three cities.What is vehicle impoundment?Having your car impounded means the law enforcement authorities legally seize and detain your vehicle, typically in an authorised impound yard or at an appointed location with the Smart Impound service, where it remains until all legal conditions for release have been satisfied.In this time, vehicle owners cannot access, remove, or drive their cars.Impoundment usually lasts between 7 to 60 days, depending on the severity of the violation, and if the driver is a repeat offender. It usually comes with additional penalties, such as fines, black points, towing and storage fees, and administrative charges.Why are vehicles impounded?The UAE has strict traffic rules and regulations, and vehicle impoundment is generally reserved for the most serious traffic violations.In Dubai, Decree No. (30) of 2023 Amending Decree No. (29) of 2015 Concerning Impoundment of Vehicles in the Emirate of Dubai, is the primary legislation governing this practice.According to the law, the following cases can lead to a vehicle being impounded in Dubai:Participating in a road race without first obtaining a permit from the Police.Riding the recreational motorcycle on a paved road.Making substantial modifications to the vehicle, which results in increasing its speed limit or making loud sounds or noise when operating or driving it.Recording traffic fines in excess of Dh6,000 in respect to the vehicle.Driving the vehicle recklessly or in a manner that endangers lives or property, or compromises road traffic safety in the emirateEscaping from Police personnel.Driving the vehicle through a red light.Driving the vehicle on roads without a number plate.Gathering by vehicle drivers to watch races, participating in associated acts of disorder; or engaging in vehicle stunts on roads.Exceeding the permitted tinting percentage on the windows of a vehicle, or tinting the windscreen of the vehicle without a permit.Driving the vehicle using a counterfeit, forged, fake, or obscured number plate, or using the number plate in a manner that contravenes the legislation in force in the emirate.Intentionally colliding with, or causing damage to, a Police vehicle.Driving a vehicle by a person who is under the age of 18 years.What is the Smart Impound service? In Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah, the authorities have introduced a Smart Impound service that permits vehicle owners to keep their seized vehicle at a preferred location – such as their homes – instead of at an impound yard.Once you make the request and it is approved, officials from the emirate’s Police force install a smart tracking device in your vehicle, which connects to their Operations Department, allowing them to monitor the vehicle remotely.Once the impound period has been completed, vehicle owners can settle all outstanding fines, administrative charges, and release fees, before the authorities issue the necessary clearance documents and release the vehicle.How to apply for the Smart Impound serviceBelow, we break down how to apply for the service in all three emirates that offer it.Before you apply, ensure you have the following documents ready for upload:Emirates IDProof of identificationVehicle registration cardAbu DhabiIn Abu Dhabi, you can request the Smart Impound service through the emirate’s official government services platform, TAMM. Follow these steps:Visit tamm.abudhabi and log in using your UAE PASS.Select ‘Drive & Transport’ and navigate to the ‘Fines & Violations’ option on the left menu bar.Select ‘Home Impounding for Vehicles’.Fill in your personal information, such as your name, phone number and traffic file number, an eight-digit number that acts as your traffic ID and is prominently displayed on the back of your driving licence and on the front of your vehicle registration card (Mulkiya).Upload the required documents.Settle any outstanding fines on the vehicle. Pay the applicable service fees.You will receive an approval notification via SMS and email that permits you to keep the vehicle in your desired location for the vehicle impoundment period.In the same notification, you will be directed to visit the traffic department, where the authorities will place a smart tracking device in your car for monitoring purposes.Once the impoundment period is complete, you can return to the traffic department to have the device removed and receive clearance from the authorities to drive the car.Fee: Dh15 reservation fee for each day of impoundmentDubaiIn Dubai, you can avail of the Smart Impound service through Dubai Police’s website or app. Follow these steps.Download the Dubai Police app via the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, or visit dubaipolice.gov.ae. Sign in with your UAE PASS.Navigate to the ‘Services’ section and select ‘Traffic Services’. Then select ‘Smart Impound’.Input your vehicle details. You can enter any one of the following to pull up your file: Licence number, Vehicle Plate number, Traffic File number, or Traffic Fine number.Fill out the application form, mentioning your full name, phone number, email address and other details.Settle any outstanding traffic fines linked to the vehicle.Pay the service fees.You will receive a transaction number via SMS and email for tracking the status of your request.Next, visit the General Department of Traffic in Dubai so that the authorities can install the monitoring device in your vehicle. You can now store it in your desired location.Once the impoundment period is complete, return to the Dubai Police Traffic Department to have the device removed.Fees:Service charge: Dh400Knowledge and innovation fees: Dh20SharjahIn Sharjah, you will need to request the Smart Impound service in person, by visiting a traffic and licence department in the emirate.You can find the full list of locations on the Sharjah Roads and Transport Authority website: www.srta.gov.ae/en-us/About-Us/Contact-Us.html.Follow these steps to apply in person:Before heading to the traffic department, ensure you have settled all outstanding fines tied to the vehicle. Learn how to pay your traffic fines online.Next, go to the Sharjah traffic department and submit your documents: your original Emirates ID, driving licence, and vehicle registration card.Sign a declaration agreeing not to drive or move the vehicle during the Smart Impound period and pay the service fees.Officials will now install a global positioning system (GPS) enabled tracking device inside your vehicle at your chosen location.Once you have completed the impound period, revisit the traffic department to request the removal of the tracking device and obtain clearance to drive the vehicle.Fee: Dh10 for each day of impoundment
