Noisy, modified cars in the UAE? Fines go up to Dh10,000: What motorists need to Know

Time of India

21-06-2025

Drivers using loud horns or modified exhausts near homes, schools, or hospitals can face fines of up to Dh10,000 and vehicle impoundment, police have warned/ Image generated using AI for creative and illustrative purposes
As temperatures rise across the UAE, so do frustrations on the streets, not from the heat, but from the unrelenting noise and reckless driving now plaguing many residential neighbourhoods.
Families from Sharjah to Fujairah are voicing deep concern over the disruptive behaviour of young motorists, whose cars often roar through quiet streets late into the night, shattering peace and disturbing daily life.
This summer, UAE police forces are taking a zero-tolerance approach.
A Growing Nuisance in Quiet Communities
With schools closed and summer break in full swing, many residents report that what should be a time of rest has turned into a season of disturbance.
Late-night car honking, blaring music systems, and illegally modified exhausts have become unwelcome markers of the season, especially in suburban communities.
'These actions are keeping children awake at night, disturbing patients and the elderly, and making daily life stressful,' one family told
Khaleej Times
.
Even fellow motorists aren't spared. The roads themselves have become battlegrounds of aggressive noise, where sudden honks and pounding basslines from car stereos have sparked rising tension among drivers.
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Police Respond: 'We Won't Tolerate It'
In response to mounting complaints, law enforcement agencies across the Emirates have intensified patrols and enforcement campaigns, particularly in residential and sensitive zones near schools, hospitals, and family neighbourhoods.
'Sharjah Police are stepping up patrols in residential areas, and we won't tolerate behaviour that disrupts public peace,'
—
Col Mohammad Alai Al Naqbi, director of the Traffic and Patrols Department at Sharjah Police, told Khaleej Times.
In Ajman, similar efforts are underway.
'These practices are disrespectful and dangerous,'
—
Lt. Col.
Rashid Humaid bin Hindi
, deputy director of Ajman's Traffic and Patrols Department, said, referring to loud horns and noise-modified vehicles.
Fujairah Police echoed these concerns, noting that the most common complaints they've received involve excessive horn use, screeching tyres, and illegal vehicle alterations.
'This kind of behaviour is not only uncivilised but also paints a negative picture of our society,'
—
a top Fujairah Police official said.
Clear Laws, Serious Penalties
The UAE's Federal Traffic Law leaves little room for leniency when it comes to noise and illegal modifications:
Disturbing noise with horns or music systems:
– Fine: Dh400
– 4 black points
Modified or loud vehicles causing noise:
– Fine: Dh2,000
– 12 black points
If a vehicle has been illegally modified without prior approval, it may be impounded, with a Dh10,000 fee required for release.
If the owner fails to pay the fine within three months, the vehicle is put up for auction.
The message from authorities is unmistakable: non-compliance is costly, and tolerance is wearing thin.
A Summer Spike in Offences
Though the law is not new, enforcement is ramping up. Official statistics from the Ministry of Interior show a steady rise in noise-related offences last year alone:
Sharjah: 504 fines for noise disturbances
Ajman: 117 fines
Fujairah: 8 fines
Those numbers are expected to rise further this summer as police increase their presence on the streets and residents remain on high alert.
A Call for Respect and Responsibility
Across all emirates, authorities are urging young drivers, the demographic most often linked to these violations, to show respect for community life and understand that driving is a shared responsibility, not a personal performance.
'We are asking motorists to be mindful of their surroundings, especially near schools, hospitals, and homes, and to avoid aggressive honking or blasting music,'
—
police officials collectively advised.
The current crackdown is not simply about punishment. It's about protecting the public's right to peace and safety, particularly for children, the elderly, and patients who suffer most from such disruptions.