Minor accident. What now?
A bump on the road, nobody hurt, your heart racing. What you do in the next ten minutes decides whether it stays a small problem. Try the steps yourself, in order.
Keep this in your head
Five photos, five steps, and four things not to do. That's all you need when it happens.
The 5 photos
- Your number plate
- The other car's number plate
- The damage on both cars, where they touch
- The wider scene: lanes, where the cars stopped, a landmark
- The other driver's licence, registration (Mulkiya) and insurance
The 5 steps
- Hazard lights on
- Check everyone. Anyone hurt? Call 999 or 998 and don't move the cars
- Quick photos
- Move both cars to the hard shoulder or the nearest safe spot
- Report it on the right app, or call
Don't
- Don't argue on the road. Swap details calmly and let the report decide who's at fault.
- Don't leave the scene before it's reported. Leaving is an offence.
- Don't sign anything you don't fully understand.
- Don't get the car repaired before you have the police report. Insurers ask for it, and garages shouldn't fix accident damage without it.
Where to report it
If nobody is hurt, you can usually report a minor accident from your phone, after you've moved somewhere safe.
The Dubai Police app has a minor accident report. You can also call the non-emergency line 901.
The Saaed app, run with Abu Dhabi Police, or the Abu Dhabi Police app. Saaed's line is 800 72233.
The Rafid app, or the MOI UAE app from the Ministry of Interior.
The MOI UAE app. Sign in with UAE PASS, choose the minor accident report, add both cars' details and photos.
Call 999 for police and 998 for an ambulance. Don't move the cars unless there's a danger like fire. Keep the injured person still unless they're in danger.
Sources: Federal Decree-Law No. 14 of 2024 on road traffic (in force since 29 March 2025), as summarised by Gulf News: drivers must report an accident to the police quickly, within three hours unless there's an acceptable excuse. Abu Dhabi Police and Saaed (Gulf Today, July 2024; Gulf News, May 2025): move to the nearest safe spot after a minor accident and report through Saaed or call 800 72233; not moving can mean a Dh1,000 fine and 6 traffic points. UAE Government portal u.ae (road safety page): apps for reporting minor accidents in each emirate. Gulf News (April 2021, April 2022): Dubai's 901 line and the Dubai Police app, the MOI UAE app in other emirates, don't photograph people, and the rule that garages need official permission before repairing a car with accident damage. Rules and fines can change, so check with your local police. This walkthrough is a simplified illustration, not legal advice.