Dubai Driver Ordered to Pay AED 7,500 Over Borrowed Car Fines

The Dubai Civil Court has ordered a motorist to pay AED 7,500 to a vehicle owner following a dispute over unpaid traffic fines. The case highlights the significant legal risks involved when lending a vehicle based on verbal agreements and mutual trust. 

According to court documents, the owner handed over the car under the impression that the defendant would finalize a purchase and settle all existing violations. The defendant allegedly failed to honor the agreement while accumulating additional traffic violations and Salik toll charges during their possession of the vehicle. 

During this period, the registered owner remained legally responsible for the mounting costs recorded against his file. The court eventually ruled in absentia after the defendant failed to appear despite being legally notified of the proceedings.

Disputed Claims and Court Awards

In its ruling, the court cited the UAE Civil Transactions Law, which mandates that anyone causing harm to another must provide compensation. Evidence from WhatsApp conversations proved that the defendant acknowledged his responsibility for the fines incurred while he had the vehicle. 

However, the court rejected the claim for market value loss due to insufficient evidence of specific accidents or financial impact. A critical point for UAE motorists is the court’s refusal to transfer the 35 black traffic points in this specific case. 

The judge explained that these violations remained legally attached to the registered owner in official records at the time they were committed. Because the owner remained the person on file during the offenses, the court declined to amend those records retroactively.

How to Protect Your Legal Interests

• Complete Ownership Transfers: Finalize the official RTA ownership transfer before handing over the vehicle whenever possible to avoid liability.
• Document the Possession: Use written agreements or clear digital communication to specify who is responsible for fines during any temporary vehicle usage.
• Verify Traffic Records: Regularly check your traffic file for new fines if someone else is driving a vehicle registered under your name.
• Avoid Delaying Payments: Address outstanding violations quickly to prevent additional late fees or legal complications that can arise from prolonged disputes.

This case serves as a stern warning that “mutual trust” is not a valid substitute for official RTA procedures in the UAE. We believe that owners who lend their vehicles without formal documentation risk incurring significant licensing penalties that may be difficult to reverse. 

While the civil court can help recover monetary losses for fines, its power to alter official traffic records is strictly limited by existing regulations. Relying on WhatsApp messages as evidence can be successful, but it often results in a smaller payout than the actual damages incurred. 

We expect this ruling to encourage more residents to finalize vehicle sales through authorized channels immediately to avoid legal headaches. Protecting your traffic file is just as important as protecting your wallet when dealing with shared vehicle possession.

Conclusion

The Dubai Civil Court has clearly established that possession of a vehicle entails direct financial responsibility for any fines incurred. However, the inability to easily transfer black points retroactively should prompt all owners to be extremely cautious when lending their cars. 

Will this ruling make you think twice before letting a friend borrow your vehicle? Tell us in the comments below. Keep following the ArabWheels Blog for more local automotive updates like this.