Unified system to offer 13 traffic services across UAE

Thursday, Nov 26, 2009

Gulf News

Abu Dhabi Essential traffic services such as payment of traffic fines incurred in any of the seven emirates, renewal of car registrations and renewal of driver licences may be completed in any emirate from December 6.

Authorities unveiled a service yesterday called Injaz, which allows 13 traffic services to be accessed through any traffic department in the country.

Motorists may avail of these services regardless of the place of issue of their licence or the place of residence/employment of the driver. There will be no additional charges to use the services.

"With Injaz drivers will not have to travel to the emirate where their licence was issued to avail of these basic services. This will make procedures easy and smooth for motorists", said Colonel Gaith Hassan Al Za'abi, Director of the Traffic Department at the Ministry of Interior.

Up until now, fines incurred in a particular emirate could only be paid in the respective traffic department. Also, drivers who held a licence or vehicle registration card from one emirate could only renew or replace it in the same emirate.

However, Injaz, which means accomplishment in Arabic, unifies the services.

Major Saif Al Za'abi, of the Drivers and Vehicle Licensing Section, said the preparations for the project had been going on for several months. "It is the result of collective efforts of all traffic departments", he said.

Meanwhile, also beginning December 6, driving licences and vehicle registration cards issued by traffic departments in the country will sport the same look.

"Earlier each emirate-issued card looked different, but now every driver in the country will have similar looking licences and vehicle registration card", said Colonel Anwar Abdullah Al Mulla, Director of IT and Telecom department at the ministry.

The new cards are not just uniform in appearance, but come with enhanced security features such as a hologram label and UV tagging, Colonel Al Mulla said. These will help detect fake or altered cards.

He said older cards could peel, either due to wear and tear or a deliberate act, but any attempt to peel the new cards would lead to the information coming off. Number plates in each of the emirates will continue to be different.

Earlier this year officials conducted two workshops, with the participation of all stakeholders, to come to a consensus on the unification of driving licensing procedures across the country.

Methods of training and conducting tests were found to be widely different by expert consultants hired by the ministry.

Abu Dhabi In another move to simplify services, the ministry is coordinating with insurance companies. When people approach insurance companies to insure their vehicles the data entered will automatically be available electronically to the traffic departments.

"This will speed up the process for motorists. To date, we have entered into an agreement with 13 insurance companies. Over time, our aim is to link with all insurance companies. Work is progressing on this front", said Colonel Gaith Hassan Al Za'abi, Director of the Traffic Department at the Ministry of Interior.

The companies include Al Wathba insurance, Fujairah insurance, Al Ain Al Ahlia insurance, Ras Al Khaimah insurance, Al Dhafra, Takafal, Emirates insurance, Dubai insurance, Iran insurance, Abu Dhabi national insurance, Buhaira insurance, Dar Al Takaful and Arabian Scandinavian Insurance.

SERVICES

n Payment of traffic fines

n Renewal and replacement of driver licences

n Renewal of vehicle registration card

n Issuance of duplicate cards

n Replacement of damaged cards

n Permission to change colour of vehicle

n Permission for vehicle modification

n Reservation of number plate

n Issuance of ownership certificate

n Certificate for vehicles to be taken outside the country by tourists

n Export certificate