Young Abdullah bin Naseer, unaware of the rules, placed his favorite sticker on the back window of his car. When police stopped him near Sharjah City Centre, he learned that the Dh10 sticker broke vehicle regulations, leading to a hefty fine.
Like Abdullah (name changed upon request), many drivers in the UAE might not know that something as simple as a rear window sticker can lead to fines of hundreds of dirhams.
Abdullah isn’t alone in getting fined for car stickers. Many drivers in the Emirates face similar penalties, often not realizing that they need permission for car stickers. One Asian resident shared online about being fined for placing a sticker on the fuel tank cover of his car.
Police regularly run awareness campaigns to educate drivers about sticker rules.
Mahmood Shakir Al Mashhadani, a senior associate at Galadari Advocates and Legal Consultants, explained that according to Federal Traffic Law No. 21 of 1995, unauthorized stickers on vehicles are illegal and can lead to a Dh500 fine.
“The fine applies to all stickers on the car per day, meaning if the driver or vehicle owner doesn’t remove it after the fine, they will be fined again the next day,” said Al Mashhadani.
He added that this rule includes all types of stickers, whether they are transparent or photo-based, on any part of the car. Stickers that cover the car’s license plate, the driver’s face, or any other details that hinder traffic police are not allowed.
“The only stickers permitted by the authorities are company advertisements for products and services, but only with prior approval. This federal law is enforced in all emirates. Violations can result in fines, black points on your driving license, and even jail time for serious offences,” he continued.
Under Ministerial Resolution No. 178 of 2017 regarding Traffic Control Rules and Procedures, there is a Dh500 penalty for writing phrases or placing stickers on vehicles without permission. Additionally, heavy vehicles must have reflective stickers on the back, and failure to display them can also lead to a Dh500 fine.
