Dubai Police impound 218 vehicles in October noise crackdown

Monitoring expands across Dubai

Brigadier Juma Salem bin Suwaidan, director of the General Department of Traffic, said the additional devices would help police detect violations and enforce the rules more effectively.

He warned that police would take legal action, including impoundment, against drivers who deliberately create excessive noise. The warning covers owners whose vehicle modifications produce loud sounds, as well as sports car drivers who intentionally rev their engines or use public roads and residential neighborhoods to show off. Owning or modifying a sports car does not entitle its driver to disturb residents, he said, and enforcement would proceed without exceptions or leniency.

Police described protecting residents' peace and comfort as a priority for quality of life, and said excessive vehicle noise runs counter to respect and responsibility toward the community. Bin Suwaidan said illegal engine or exhaust modifications and improper driving practices can disrupt sleep and affect psychological well-being, particularly among children, older people and those who are ill.

Earlier enforcement figures

The October results follow a separate Dubai Police announcement on October 21, 2026, covering January through September. During those nine months, police issued 7,735 fines and impounded 1,630 vehicles for excessive noise and unauthorized modifications, according to Aletihad News Center.

That earlier total included 2,045 noise-related violations and 333 impoundments. Unauthorized changes to engines or chassis accounted for another 5,690 violations and 1,297 impoundments.

Fines, release fees and repeat violations

Bin Suwaidan outlined separate penalties for noisy driving and unlicensed modifications. Driving a vehicle that causes noise carries an AED 2,000 fine and 12 traffic points. Changing an engine or chassis without a license carries an AED 1,000 fine, 12 traffic points and a 30-day impoundment, plus an AED 10,000 vehicle release fee under Dubai's Decree No. 30 of 2023.

Release fees under the decree vary by offense, ranging from AED 10,000 to AED 100,000, Gulf News reports. Major modifications that increase a vehicle's speed or create excessive noise fall in the AED 10,000 category. The same category covers fleeing police, driving without license plates, gathering to watch illegal road races or performing stunts, and exceeding window-tinting limits.

A repeat impoundment within one year of the incident that triggered the previous impoundment doubles the detention period, subject to a 90-day maximum, according to Gulf News. For offenses with release fees of AED 10,000, AED 50,000 or AED 100,000, the fee also doubles, with a ceiling of AED 200,000.

Owners must collect their vehicles when the impoundment period expires. Each additional day a vehicle stays in the impoundment area costs AED 50. Gulf News also notes that Dubai Police can impound a vehicle with more than AED 6,000 in accumulated traffic fines; the owner must pay the outstanding fines to recover it.

Driver guidance and reporting

Bin Suwaidan urged motorists to obey traffic rules, maintain their exhaust systems and avoid unauthorized modifications. He also called on drivers to avoid sudden acceleration and deliberate use of the accelerator to create loud sounds, with particular consideration for residential areas at night.

He asked the public to cooperate with authorities, describing road safety and neighborhood peace as responsibilities shared by everyone. Disturbing driving behavior can be reported through the "Police Eye" service in the Dubai Police smart app or by calling 901.

Alongside the earlier enforcement figures, Dubai Police directed drivers and other community members to the Aman Roads Platform for practical road-safety guidance and educational information.