Who pays traffic fines if car ownership is not transferred?

Question: I sold my car to a friend for Dh10,000, but we did not complete the ownership transfer. Subsequently, I began receiving messages about traffic fines incurred on the vehicle. I asked my friend to pay the fines, but he refused. Due to the car's poor condition, I ended up selling it for just Dh1,500 to cover some of the fines. However, I have recently discovered that there are still outstanding fines totalling Dh12,000 registered against the car. My friend continues to refuse any responsibility for these penalties. From a legal standpoint, what options are available to me in this situation? Please guide.

- Ashish Mehta

Answer: In the UAE, until the concerned authority formally transfers the vehicle’s ownership in the name of a new owner, a registered (current) owner remains legally liable for all obligations against the vehicle, including but not limited to traffic violations. This is in accordance with Article 22 (1) of the Federal Decree-Law No. (14) of 2024 On Traffic Regulation,

“Any transfer of ownership of a vehicle shall be registered with the Licensing Authority through the means approved by it. The owner of the vehicle in whose name the Vehicle Licence is registered shall remain liable for the obligations arising from the use of the vehicle until the Vehicle Licence is registered in the name of the new owner in accordance with the procedures followed by the Licensing Authority in this regard.”