Abu Dhabi imposes fines of up to AED 4000 for dirty, abandoned vehicles

Authorities in Abu Dhabi, the capital city of the United Arab Emirates, have announced new penalties of up to 4,000 dirhams ($1,090) for vehicle owners who leave dirty or abandoned cars in public areas.

The regulations, part of an effort to maintain the city's aesthetic appearance, were published Tuesday by the emirate's Department of Municipalities and Transport, Khaleej Times reported.

The new enforcement measures establish a three-tier penalty structure based on the number of violations. For leaving dirty vehicles in public spaces, motorists will face a 500 dirham ($136) fine for their first violation, 1,000 dirhams ($272) for a second offense, and 2,000 dirhams ($545) for a third instance.

More severe penalties apply to those who abandon vehicle bodies or frames in public areas. First-time offenders will receive a 1,000 dirham fine, followed by 2,000 dirhams for a second violation, and 4,000 dirhams for third-time offenders.

The stricter enforcement falls under Law No. 2 of 2012, which governs public appearance standards in the emirate.

Officials have expressed particular concern about abandoned vehicles during summer months, when many residents leave for extended vacations. A similar issue emerged in 2023, when residents returned from holiday travel to find abandonment notices placed on their vehicles.

Comparable regulations in Dubai

Neighboring Dubai enforces comparable regulations, with a 500 dirham penalty for vehicles left unwashed in public parking for extended periods. Dubai authorities place notices on identified vehicles and provide owners a 15-day grace period to clean their cars before impoundment.

In 2021, authorities in Sharjah, another emirate in the UAE, impounded 3,911 abandoned vehicles during just the first six months of the year.

The UAE, a federation of seven emirates including Abu Dhabi and Dubai, is known for its strict cleanliness standards and regulations aimed at maintaining the visual appeal of its cities, which are major business and tourism hubs in the Middle East.