Black Points - Advice!

Author
Discussion

Scottsanders

Original Poster:

89 posts

120 months

Wednesday 14th October 2015
quotequote all
Hi all,

I'm after some advice, and I'm hoping that this forum will be able to offer that, without all of the negative chatter that you get on general expat forums!

I've been in the UAE for just under a year, and I wasn't aware of exactly how the black point system worked (my fault for not checking, I know) so when I went to look into how I renew my car registration, it turns out that I have a significant number of Black Points (more than 40 black points from what I can make out) that I wasn't aware of.

They're all of the 12-point variety, for travelling 60km over the speed limit - I travel from Dubai to Abu Dhabi every day, so I have a feeling that they have mainly been accrued on Yas Island, as they're listed as Abu Dhabi Police on the Dubai Police website.

I stupidly assumed that if I did anything that was likely to cause me problems with my licence, the police would contact me; the last points were accrued in June, but I have received no notifications whatsoever. In fact, the Dubai Police website only has 20 of the points listed against my licence - the rest are listed against the car registration.

So, my question is, has anyone else fallen foul of this type of situation, and if so, what are the options? I know that 'officially' you can buy 8 black points back, but in reality, can this number be increased?

I realise that I'm likely to have my car impounded and lose my licence, and will obviously have to pay the fines, but what is the best way to approach the situation? Should I instruct a solicitor to act on my behalf, or should I try to get a local Emirati to go to the police station with me?

Once again, I know I've been stupid, and I know that there will be consequences that I'm fully prepared to accept, so I don't need a telling off - they'll do that for you, I'm very sure!

Any help appreciated!

Scott.

Asterix

24,438 posts

235 months

Wednesday 14th October 2015
quotequote all
They won't tell you off - they don't care. They'll probably laugh a bit and then plan a way to get more money off you next year.

There's always a way here to pay money to stop stuff happening. You'll have the option of paying AED 3,500 ish (I think) to stop having the car impounded.

Scottsanders

Original Poster:

89 posts

120 months

Wednesday 14th October 2015
quotequote all
Thanks Asterix! I just want to know that I'm not going to face any issues that could affect my resident status out here!

Asterix

24,438 posts

235 months

Wednesday 14th October 2015
quotequote all
It certainly won't affect your residence status. Not a chance!

If they deported all the people with dodgy driving histories there'd be no one left.

Scottsanders

Original Poster:

89 posts

120 months

Wednesday 14th October 2015
quotequote all
Ha, very true! I know that I shouldn't have been driving so fast, but compared to some of the driving I see out here on a daily basis, I'm the least of their worries!

Thanks for the advice!

shirt

23,476 posts

208 months

Wednesday 14th October 2015
quotequote all
40+ is some going, you deserve some sort of trophy for that!

24 is the annual limit. after that the first offence is supposed to be a 3mth ban, second 6mths and a third 12mths. i am not sure whether additional payments can be made in lieu of the ban.

sounds like the bulk of your trouble has been driving onto yas where the speed limit drops to 80kph and the cameras are overhead. sneaky isn't it?

tbh i have no idea what the best course of action is, although i imagine its going to be an expensive trip to the police station. you could dispute each and every infraction using a solicitor but very much doubt you'd get anywhere. it were me i'd definitely be taking my PRO or anyone with a lot of wasta, and expect to get shafted on the fines.

keep us posted.

Scottsanders

Original Poster:

89 posts

120 months

Wednesday 14th October 2015
quotequote all
Yeah, a friend at work recommended asking the PRO to accompany me to the police station, so may do that, assuming it's only financial worries that I'll have to deal with... will keep you posted!

Chilli

17,320 posts

243 months

Thursday 15th October 2015
quotequote all
Hi mate, firstly congratulations on the points...that's the most I've ever heard of.
I accrued 5,800 in fines doing the commute in the Jag in 6 weeks before deciding a massive 4x4 was the only way to stop me falling foul of the speeding fines.
As James has said, there is no way on this planet you are in big trouble...just prepare to pay lots of fines, and it will all be history.

Phil, the overhead cameras arent speed cameras...they are plate recognition cameras. I stil, hit 170 across both islands, slowing for the 3 or 4 cameras and have never had a fine there. There are however, a large amount of unmarked police cars driving around there... I see them daily.

Porridge GTI

300 posts

109 months

Thursday 15th October 2015
quotequote all
Scottsanders said:
Hi all,

I'm after some advice, and I'm hoping that this forum will be able to offer that, without all of the negative chatter that you get on general expat forums!

I've been in the UAE for just under a year, and I wasn't aware of exactly how the black point system worked (my fault for not checking, I know) so when I went to look into how I renew my car registration, it turns out that I have a significant number of Black Points (more than 40 black points from what I can make out) that I wasn't aware of.

They're all of the 12-point variety, for travelling 60km over the speed limit - I travel from Dubai to Abu Dhabi every day, so I have a feeling that they have mainly been accrued on Yas Island, as they're listed as Abu Dhabi Police on the Dubai Police website.

I stupidly assumed that if I did anything that was likely to cause me problems with my licence, the police would contact me; the last points were accrued in June, but I have received no notifications whatsoever. In fact, the Dubai Police website only has 20 of the points listed against my licence - the rest are listed against the car registration.

So, my question is, has anyone else fallen foul of this type of situation, and if so, what are the options? I know that 'officially' you can buy 8 black points back, but in reality, can this number be increased?

I realise that I'm likely to have my car impounded and lose my licence, and will obviously have to pay the fines, but what is the best way to approach the situation? Should I instruct a solicitor to act on my behalf, or should I try to get a local Emirati to go to the police station with me?

Once again, I know I've been stupid, and I know that there will be consequences that I'm fully prepared to accept, so I don't need a telling off - they'll do that for you, I'm very sure!

Any help appreciated!

Scott.
Have you considered not driving like someone rhyming with "gutter banker"? Perhaps engage your apparently tiny mind before next operating machinery.

Scottsanders

Original Poster:

89 posts

120 months

Thursday 15th October 2015
quotequote all
Sorry, have I accidentally registered on MumsNet, or have you accidentally strayed onto a forum dedicated for car enthusiasts? Either way, how about you disengage your troll-like tendencies, and do one onto one of those sad little sites that are dedicated for sad individuals, such as yourself, you utter twunt!

Edited by Scottsanders on Thursday 15th October 20:13

shirt

23,476 posts

208 months

Thursday 15th October 2015
quotequote all
Chilli said:
Phil, the overhead cameras arent speed cameras...they are plate recognition cameras. I stil, hit 170 across both islands, slowing for the 3 or 4 cameras and have never had a fine there. There are however, a large amount of unmarked police cars driving around there... I see them daily.
why so many anpr cameras?

panama has no speed cameras, i am liking it here.

Porridge GTI

300 posts

109 months

Friday 16th October 2015
quotequote all
Scottsanders said:
Sorry, have I accidentally registered on MumsNet, or have you accidentally strayed onto a forum dedicated for car enthusiasts? Either way, how about you disengage your troll-like tendencies, and do one onto one of those sad little sites that are dedicated for sad individuals, such as yourself, you utter twunt!

Edited by Scottsanders on Thursday 15th October 20:13
This is indeed a site for car enthusiasts. You habitually break the 140kph speed limit, accumulate numerous penalties and come here trying to make a joke of it? That makes you a gigantic plonker. Try obeying the law and stop behaving like a selfish pillock endangering people's lives. Perhaps growing up would help if that's the issue.

shirt

23,476 posts

208 months

Friday 16th October 2015
quotequote all
is this another of your pisstake logins dan?

Chilli

17,320 posts

243 months

Friday 16th October 2015
quotequote all
shirt said:
why so many anpr cameras?

panama has no speed cameras, i am liking it here.
Not sure. Was told it's a security thing. The Feds know all cars that come in and out of the city, and can therefore tell who's there and who has left.

Panama? What sort of car do you have there? Is it safe?

Asterix

24,438 posts

235 months

Friday 16th October 2015
quotequote all
...and do you have a hat!?

yorky500

1,715 posts

198 months

Friday 16th October 2015
quotequote all
Asterix said:
...and do you have a hat!?
We need a picture

shirt

23,476 posts

208 months

Friday 16th October 2015
quotequote all
i had a mitsubishi nativa to begine with but now rocking a mighty kia sportage. luckily not fitted with gps as HR get a text every time you go over 110kph in a pool car.

no hat [yet] and no pics!