Look: Lost car number plates line UAE roads after heavy rains

[Editor's Note: Follow Khaleej Times live blog for the latest updates as the UAE deals with heavy rains and unstable weather conditions.]

After the heavy rain that lashed the UAE, a familiar sight has cropped up once again — car number plates sticking out of the side of pavements, echoing a scene that became one of the most defining images of the historic April 2024 floods, when the country recorded its heaviest rainfall in 75 years.

Some vehicle number plates have been found in Sharjah and has been kept near Nesto Muwaileh following the recent rains. Saneeh Hasan, who shared a video of the car plates, wrote, "If you're missing yours, kindly check this location.”

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In Abu Dhabi, resident Assad El Abbas also found a car plate. He wrote on his X account, “We suddenly found the entrance of our residential complex flooded with water. By coincidence, we also found a car licence plate that had fallen into the water.” He asked the owner of the plate to contact him via his account and provide proof of vehicle ownership to collect the plate 3 days from today. Otherwise, it will be handed over to the nearest traffic police station.

Another plate was also spotted left on the side of the road in Sharjah.

The historic 2024 floods

In April 2024, the UAE experienced its heaviest rainfall in 75 years, surpassing any recorded precipitation since data collection began in 1949.

The severe weather left many residents stranded, with vehicles submerged or abandoned in floodwaters. As the waters receded, a defining moment of the aftermath was the sight of dozens of lost car number plates lining the streets. 

In Sharjah, municipal workers fished out numerous plates from water ponds and stuck them between the blocks of walkways or placed them on the grass by the road to ensure they were visible to searching motorists. The community rallied together, with many residents actively scouting the displays to reclaim their missing plates.

Official procedures and fines 

For motorists who have lost their number plates, authorities across the UAE have established clear procedures to ensure they can legally get back on the road. 

In all emirates, driving without a plate or with a damaged one is a serious traffic violation. In Dubai, for instance, driving without a licence plate can fetch you a fine of up to Dh3,000 and 23 black points. In Abu Dhabi, a Dh400 fine can be imposed for driving with damaged or missing plates.

To replace a lost plate in Dubai, motorists must first apply for a “Lost Item Certificate” (or a “To Whom It May Concern” certificate) online via the Dubai Police website or smart app.

After obtaining the police certificate, car owners can apply for a replacement plate through the RTA’s website and collect it from designated vehicle testing centres.

In Abu Dhabi, the process is similarly streamlined. Motorists must first report the lost plate to the nearest police station to obtain a lost item report. 

Once the police report is secured, residents can apply for a replacement plate through the TAMM platform (the Abu Dhabi government services portal) or via the Abu Dhabi Police app.

What to do if you find a loose licence plate

Authorities have also urged residents who find loose licence plates during rainy weather to hand them over to their nearest customer service centre, police station, or vehicle licensing centre.

For residents in Sharjah, the first step is also to file a lost item report with the Sharjah Police. This can be done at a local police station or by applying for a “To Whom It May Concern” certificate online through the Sharjah Police website or app, reporting the plate as missing. 

After securing the police report, motorists can proceed to a vehicle testing centre (such as Tasjeel) or the local traffic police department to request and collect their new number plates.