In over 6,000 inspection visits, RTA reports 120 violations by car rental offices in ten months

Nabeel Yousef Al Ali, Director of Control and Inspection Department of RTA Licensing Agency, emphasized that the reported violations in 2008 were 83 amounting to Dhs337,500 worth of fines pointing out that there is an increase of 51% in the number of violations this year compared to 2008 violations.

He said that the control and inspection operations are based on two main factors, namely the maintenance of public security in collaboration and coordination with the concerned authorities and the realization of the RTA's vision to have "safe and smooth transport for all".

Al Ali pointed out that the violations involve nine items. These are failure to submit applications for subscription to the electronic linkup system, unavailability of computers and relevant requirements a month after submitting subscription application, failure to operate electronic linkup system, failure to enter the required data pertaining to the renter and employed staff, use of electronic linkup equipment or telephone line for purposes other than electronic linkup, failure to provide the Dubai Police H.Q., Economic Development Department, Dubai Transport Agency, Dubai Municipality and other concerned departments with the required data and information, failure to enter the details of cars rented in Dubai Emirate while being registered in another Emirate and loss of right to access the system.

He further said that the value of violations ranges between Dhs500 and Dhs10,000, including strict penalties that may be as far as closing the facility altogether. He added that the majority of violations reported against car rental offices are basically in to three areas, namely failure to operate the electronic linkup system, failure to enter required data pertaining to the renter and employed staff and delay in the process of entering the required data pertaining to the renter and employed staff. Failure to enter contracts into the system is also a violation for which offenders are served with a warning.

He pointed out that RTA Licensing Agency is the party which undertakes inspection and control of the electronic system which links car rental offices with the concerned security authorities in Dubai Emirate pointing out that the main objective behind the inspection operations is to maintain security. He further reminded that car rental offices are at first served with warning before any violation is reported against them.

He said, "The majority of these violations, as I said before, fall under the offence of failure to enter data pertaining to renters or delay in making such entry. These two violations represent over 90% of the total violations."

He concluded that the law will be strictly implemented and that the penalties imposed through reporting these violations are successful measures within the framework of the strategies aimed at maintaining security.