How It Works in the UAE
In the UAE every accident, even a small scrape in a car park, must be reported to the police or the approved reporting service, because workshops are not allowed to repair accident damage without an accident report and insurers will not pay without one. For minor accidents with no injuries, drivers are expected to photograph the scene, move the cars out of traffic and report through an app instead of waiting for a patrol: the Dubai Police app in Dubai, the Saaed service in Abu Dhabi, the Rafid app in Sharjah and the MOI UAE app in the northern emirates. If anyone is hurt, the car cannot be driven, fault is disputed or public property is damaged, call 999 and wait for the police. The report decides fault and is colour-coded: green for the driver who is not at fault, red (pink in some emirates) for the driver at fault and white when the other party is unknown.
Key Facts at a Glance
What you need to know before you start:
- Injuries, a car that cannot be driven, disputed fault or damaged public property: call 999 (ambulance 998) and do not move the cars.
- Minor accident, no injuries: photograph first, then move the cars out of the traffic lanes.
- Stopping in a lane without a justified reason after a minor accident is reported to cost AED 1,000 and 6 black points.
- Leaving the scene, even after minor damage only, is a traffic offence with a fine, black points and vehicle impound; leaving after an injury can lead to prison.
- Report channels: Dubai Police app (Dubai), Saaed (Abu Dhabi), Rafid app (Sharjah), MOI UAE app (northern emirates).
- Report colours: green = not at fault, red / pink = at fault, white = other party unknown.
- Reported Dubai fees: free if not at fault, about AED 520 for the at-fault driver, about AED 420 when the other party is unknown.
- Never agree a cash deal instead of a report: workshops cannot repair accident damage without one and you lose your insurance rights.
Step-by-Step Plan
Tick off each step as you complete it:
Step 1: Stop safely and check for injuries
Stop, switch on hazard lights and check everyone. If anyone is injured, call 999 (police) or 998 (ambulance), leave the cars where they are and keep a safe distance from traffic.
Good to know: Do not move injured people unless there is immediate danger such as fire.
Step 2: Photograph the scene before moving anything
Take wide photos showing both cars and their positions on the road, then close-ups of all damage and both number plates. Dubai Police asks for several clear angles in its app.
Step 3: Move the cars out of traffic (minor accidents only)
If nobody is hurt and the cars can be driven, move them to the hard shoulder or the nearest safe place. Blocking the road after a minor accident is fined.
Step 4: Exchange details
Take photos of the other driver's licence, registration card (Mulkiya) and Emirates ID if offered, plus their phone number and plate. Check the plate matches the car.
Step 5: Report the accident in the right app
Dubai: Dubai Police app (minor traffic accident report). Abu Dhabi: Saaed. Sharjah: Rafid app. Ajman, RAK, UAQ and Fujairah: MOI UAE app or call 999. Both drivers usually complete the report together.
Good to know: If the other driver refuses to share details, disputes fault or seems intoxicated, call 999 instead of using the app.
Step 6: Download and keep the report
Download the report PDF (green, red/pink or white). You need it for the insurance claim and for any workshop to start the repair.
Good to know: Reports have a validity period (for example around 3 months in Dubai), so start the claim or repair soon.
Step 7: Notify your insurer
Call your insurer or open the claim in its app the same day or as soon as possible, and send the report, licence, Mulkiya and photos. See the insurance claim guide for the next steps.
Cost Breakdown (AED)
Indicative ranges from public fee schedules and published school price lists. Schools set their own package prices.
- Report, not at fault (Dubai)Reported fees; confirm in the app.
- Free
- Report, at fault (Dubai)
- ~520
- Report, unknown party (Dubai)
- ~420
- Rafid report (Sharjah)Depends on app or officer attendance and fault.
- ~335 – 440
- Stopping in a lane after a minor accidentPlus 6 black points.
- 1,000
Costly Mistakes to Avoid
The mistakes that cost learners the most money and time:
Settling in cash without a report
No repair, no claimWorkshops are not allowed to repair accident damage without an accident report, and your insurer will not pay later. If the other driver promised cash and disappears, you have nothing.
Leaving the scene
Fine, points, impoundDriving off after an accident, even a scrape, is an offence with a fine, black points and vehicle impound. After an accident with injuries it can lead to a large fine and prison.
Blocking traffic after a minor accident
AED 1,000 + 6 pointsLeaving drivable cars in a live lane causes secondary crashes and is fined. Photograph first, then move.
Hit a parked car or hit-and-run with no report
Repair at your costIf someone damaged your parked car and left, file an "unknown party" report straight away. Without it no workshop can repair the damage and comprehensive cover cannot be used.
Practical Tips
Small things that make the process faster and cheaper:
- Keep a simple accident kitWarning triangle, reflective vest, a charged phone and photos of your own licence and Mulkiya on the phone make the report much faster.
- Photograph old damage tooIf your car already had scratches, photograph them separately so they are not mixed into the new claim.
- Dashcam footage helps with disputesIn a disputed accident, dashcam video is often the quickest way to show what happened. Save the clip before it is overwritten.
Paying for the Repair Yourself?
If the damage is below your excess, you were at fault on a third-party-only policy, or you prefer not to claim, compare bodywork quotes from trade-licensed workshops across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah with zero customer platform fees. Keep your accident report: workshops need it before repairing accident damage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Official Sources
Always confirm current fees and rules with the authority before you pay:
- Dubai PoliceTraffic fines, black points and accident reporting in Dubai.
- Abu Dhabi PoliceAccident reporting (Saaed), traffic fines and road safety in Abu Dhabi.
- Ministry of Interior (MOI)Federal traffic services, fines and vehicle services for the northern emirates.
- UAE Government portal: Road safetyFederal road safety guidance, including what to do after an accident.
Sources & accuracy. Compiled by the Findgarag.es editorial team from public information (Dubai Police, Abu Dhabi Police, Ministry of Interior, UAE Government portal, UAE newspapers and insurer guides) as of November 2026. Report fees, fines and insurance terms are indicative and can change; your insurance policy wording always decides what is covered. This guide is general information, not legal or insurance advice. Findgarag.es is not an insurer or insurance broker and is not affiliated with any police force or insurance company.
