How to deal with an impounded car

Your car can be impounded for a number of reasons, from illegal parking, speeding, noisy engine modifications, window tints that are too dark or carrying passengers illegally.
If you have outstanding fines against your car, you will either receive an SMS from the police asking you to bring it to an impound lot, or be told it is being impounded when you renew your registration.
Traffic fines vary from Dh200 to Dh2,000 and impound periods can be from seven to 60 days, depending on the offence.
It is possible to pay to have your car released or not impounded at all. This will cost Dh100 a day for the impound period, plus any fines.
Egyptian expatriate Sherif Saadawy had the choice between giving his car up for three months - 30 days per speeding fine - or paying. "I need my car, so I paid the fines," said Mr Saadawy, who ended up paying Dh12,000 in total.
In Abu Dhabi, Mawaqif and the Abu Dhabi Traffic Police impound cars. The police holding lots are in Mafruq, Bani Yas and Abu Dhabi city. Mawaqif's pound is in the Embassies district. They are open 6.30am to midnight.
Fines for parking offences range from Dh200 to Dh1,000, which must be paid as well as Dh500 for towing. You must bring your registration and ID to retrieve the car.
The Dubai Police's traffic department or the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) are responsible for impounding cars in Dubai. The car pounds are in Al Barsha by the Police College and in Al Qusais, near the Traffic Department's headquarters.
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molson@thenational.ae