Abu Dhabi Police additional number plate for bike racks
Abu Dhabi Police launched an initiative advising residents to attach an additional licence plate to their bike rack to avoid blocking the visibility of the original number plate. Image Credit: Instagram/adpolicehq

Dubai: If you have a bicycle holder attached to your car and it is blocking the vehicle number plate, you could be subject to a Dh400 fine by Abu Dhabi Police. To prevent this from happening, Abu Dhabi Police launched an initiative advising residents to attach an additional licence plate to their bike rack.

On December 11, Abu Dhabi Police announced on their social media channels the new initiative aimed at motorists who may be hindering the view of their licence plate to mount their cycle rack.

UAE traffic law

Blocking the licence plate is a traffic violation under Article No. 27 (b) of Ministerial Resolution No. 178 of 2017, which oversees traffic control rules and procedures across the UAE. This law states that the penalty for an ‘unclear vehicle plate’ carries a Dh400 fine.

How do I get an additional number plate for my bicycle rack in Abu Dhabi?

As per the announcement made by Abu Dhabi Police, here is how you can obtain a number plate for your cycle rack are:

  • Firstly, issuing the number plate can only be done at Abu Dhabi Police station service centres.
  • Pass the technical examination.
  • Pay the prescribed fee.

How to get an additional number plate in Dubai

Dubai’s Road and Transport Authority (RTA) also announced in September 2021, that Dubai motorists with bicycle racks should attach an additional number plate on their bike holders. The service for issuing the licence plates started in November. Having a number plate for bike racks mounted on the back of vehicles will prevent blocking the visibility of the original number plate.

Steps to follow

This service is entirely online and enables motorists to apply for a plate number for a mounted bicycle rack, blocking the view of the rear plate.

Cost:

The cost for issuing an additional plate number is Dhs35.

Note: The cost may be higher if you have a special number plate (For example, coloured number plate or Expo branded number plate).

Documents:

There are no required documents for this service.

Steps for accessing the service on RTA’s official website:

  • To access the service log on to rta.ae
  • Click on ‘Services’ on the menu tab.
  • Under ‘Services’, go to the ‘Drivers and car owners service’ category.
  • After the page is done loading, scroll down to the ‘Private Licence Plates’ category.
  • Then choose, ‘Apply for a Third Plate Number for Light Vehicle.’
  • When you have landed on the page, click on ‘Apply Now.’
  • Enter your traffic file number, your vehicle rear plate number and code (this is the Alphabetic code on your number plate).
  • Pay the fees online with your credit card.
  • After completing the application and payment, you will receive the plate number through the Vehicle Registration and Inspection Centres

You can receive the additional plate from the following vehicle registration and inspection centres:

  • Shamil Al Qusais
  • Al Mumayaz Vehicle Testing - Aswaaq Mizher
  • Al Mumayaz Vehicle Testing - Al Barsha Mall
  • Wasel Vehicle Testing - Al Jaddaf
  • Al Mutakamela Center - Al Aweer
  • Al Mutakamela Center - Al Qouz
  • Tamam Vehicle Testing
  • AG Cars Vehicle Testing - Al Mamzar
  • Tajdeed Vehicle Testing

Want to know how you can pay traffic fines in the UAE? Read here.