Fujairah: Fujairah Police General Command revealed that it is working on establishing new smart factories for issuing vehicle license plates, in addition to the existing factory, as part of a plan to expand in the areas of Fujairah, Dibba, Al-Tuwain and Masafi, which will allow customers to obtain their vehicle license plates within a period ranging between one and three minutes, around the clock, in addition to developing a smart system for testing drivers, using a specialised vehicle that assesses driving skills, in preparation for its adoption during the coming months.
The Fujairah Traffic and Licensing Services Centre’s achievement of a seven-star rating in the sixth cycle of the UAE Government Service Centres Assessment, making it the first government service centre in the country to attain this rating, reflects the success of an institutional approach based on continuous development, expansion of smart and proactive services, streamlined procedures, and the use of modern technologies to enhance customer experience. This accomplishment culminates a journey of excellence spanning more than a decade, during which the centre progressed from a five-star rating in 2014 to six stars in 2021, and finally to seven stars in 2026.
A national first
The Commander-in-Chief of Fujairah Police, Major General Mohammed Ahmed bin Ghanem Al Kaabi, confirmed that the centre’s achievement of a seven-star rating represents an exceptional national accomplishment, reflecting the advanced level reached by the government services system in the UAE, and translating the vision of the wise leadership in building a globally leading government that exceeds the aspirations of customers and places human beings at the heart of its priorities.
He explained that reaching the highest rating in the Global Stars System for Government Services was the result of years of continuous institutional work based on developing services, simplifying procedures, and investing in modern technologies, in order to achieve a positive and sustainable impact on the lives of customers. He said: “True excellence is not measured by the awards and ratings we achieve, but by the positive and sustainable impact we have on people’s lives, and the services we provide that save time and effort and make a real difference in the customer experience.”
Al Kaabi expressed his deepest gratitude and appreciation to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, for his vision that has made excellence a firmly established culture in government work, expressing his gratitude for the continuous support and care of His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Fujairah, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi, Crown Prince of Fujairah, and His Highness Lieutenant General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, whose guidance and support contributed to achieving this accomplishment.
He stressed that maintaining the seven-star rating represents a double responsibility, requiring continued development and anticipation of the future, and not being satisfied with the achievements made.
He affirmed that Fujairah Police will continue to invest in national cadres and modern technologies, and develop a renewed government model that keeps pace with the aspirations of the wise leadership. He added that this crowning represents an achievement for every member of Fujairah Police who contributed to achieving it, stressing that “the seventh star is not the end of the journey of excellence, but rather the beginning of a new stage of responsibility and ambition.”
The Director of the Traffic and Patrols Department at Fujairah Police and Head of the Traffic and Licensing Services Center, Brigadier Saleh Mohammed Al Dhanhani, confirmed that the centre’s achievement of a seven-star rating represents the culmination of continuous collective efforts and reflects Fujairah Police’s commitment to providing exceptional government services that meet customer expectations.
He added that this achievement doubles the centre’s responsibility to maintain its leadership, continue developing its services, and adopt smart and innovative solutions, stressing that customer satisfaction and happiness will remain the true standard of excellence and success.
Plates in under three minutes
For his part, Brigadier Juma Salem Al Zahmi, Director of the Vehicles and Drivers Licensing Department at Fujairah Police and Deputy Head of the Traffic and Licensing Services Centre, revealed a plan to expand the smart factory service for issuing vehicle plates by establishing new factories in addition to the existing factory at the Emirates Petroleum station, near Fujairah Mall. The plan aims to expand to the areas of Fujairah, Dibba, Al Tuwain and Masafi, with the goal of bringing services closer to customers and enabling them to issue their vehicle plates around the clock, without the need to visit traditional service centres.
He explained that the smart factory allows the customer to issue the vehicle license plate himself, through a device that works in a manner similar to ATMs, and can be provided at gas stations, so that the customer gets the plate within a period ranging between one and three minutes, without the need to visit the service centre, noting that the service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The factory relies on an integrated technology system that combines artificial intelligence, facial recognition, and high-speed automated printing, enabling the issuance of new vehicle license plates in less than three minutes, through self-service kiosks operating around the clock.
The customer’s journey begins by submitting a request to issue the license plate via the Fujairah Police website or smart application. He then receives a QR code, which he uses upon arrival at the smart factory, where he scans the code via the device, completes the identity verification procedures using facial recognition technology, and then selects the specifications of the required license plate, before it is printed automatically and received from the device.
The factory offers multiple options for vehicle license plates, including small and long plates, in addition to the designs approved in the emirate in red and black, according to the approved vehicle categories, which gives the customer flexibility in choosing the appropriate plate, without the need for employee intervention in the issuance process.
Al-Zahmi pointed out that the current smart factory is witnessing a large turnout from customers, which prompted the administration to work on expanding the scope of the service, and to choose the locations of new factories based on the demographic data of customers, and to analyse the areas of demand for issuing plates, with the aim of bringing the service closer to the beneficiaries, and providing it in the most needy locations. He added that the administration benefits from the data resulting from the issuance of plates through the smart factory to determine the appropriate areas for future expansion, in order to ensure that decisions are made based on accurate statistics and actual needs of customers.
A driving test without an inspector?
Al-Zahmi revealed a new project to develop the driver testing system, which relies on a specialised smart vehicle that is being prepared and programmed to assess the skills of applicants for the driving test, thus enhancing the accuracy of the test results and the efficiency of the procedures.
He explained that the project includes the use of smart technologies to monitor the driver’s performance during the test, and to assess his skills in reversing the vehicle and driving on the roads, noting that a number of streets have been prepared and equipped with the necessary traffic signs, in addition to programming the vehicle to deal with the specified test locations.
He pointed out that the project is still in the development phase, and that the inspector is currently accompanying the customer during the test, as part of the initial phase of implementing the system, in preparation for reaching a fully integrated smart inspection, in which the vehicle takes over the evaluation of performance without the need for an inspector, expecting the project to be adopted during the coming months.
He stressed that the goal of the new system is to develop mechanisms for evaluating drivers and enhance the accuracy of test results by utilising modern technologies and artificial intelligence to provide more advanced and efficient services.
Regarding services for people with disabilities and the elderly, Al-Zahmi explained that the center provides an integrated system that takes into account the needs of different customer groups, including the presence of a nurse during official working hours to provide the necessary assistance to the elderly and people with disabilities, in addition to allocating corridors and facilities that facilitate their access to services and the completion of their transactions.
He revealed that a communication device has been provided in parking spaces designated for people with disabilities, linked to a camera with the nurse, which allows the customer to request assistance directly from inside his vehicle, by pressing the call button and talking to the staff about the service he needs.
He explained that the customer can request assistance to get inside the center, or complete his transaction while inside the vehicle, as the employee will go to him when needed, or he will be helped to get out using a wheelchair, according to his condition and needs, in order to ensure that he receives the service easily and without difficulty.
He stressed that these services are part of the centre’s approach to providing a comprehensive service environment that takes into account the needs of different groups and saves effort and time, especially for customers who face difficulties in movement or access to service facilities.
Services that come to you
Al-Zahmi pointed out that the centre provides a home vehicle inspection service, through specialised vehicles that move to the customers’ locations to conduct the necessary technical inspection to renew their vehicle registration, without the need to transport them to the inspection centre.
He explained that the customer can request the service by contacting the center, or through the website of the Fujairah Police General Command, and specify the appropriate appointment to conduct the inspection, according to the nature of the request and its urgency. He added that the service includes inspecting vehicles registered in various emirates of the country, with the possibility of completing the renewal procedures at the customer’s location, and delivering the vehicle ownership to his home, which contributes to reducing visits, and saving time and effort.
He pointed out that the centre was one of the pioneers in providing home vehicle booking services, as part of its approach to transferring services to customers, instead of obliging them to come to the centre.
Al-Zahmi stressed that the centre’s achievement of a seven-star rating is a source of pride for all employees, and at the same time a doubled national and institutional responsibility to maintain the levels of performance and services provided. He said: “Excellence at the Traffic and Licensing Services Center is not a seasonal achievement linked to obtaining an award or rating, but rather an institutional culture practiced by employees daily, and reflected in work mechanisms, developing procedures, and dealing with the public.” He explained that the centre relies on customer participation in designing and developing services, through customer councils and innovation labs, which allow them to raise their needs and observations, and participate in identifying appropriate solutions.
He pointed out that this participation contributed to the development of a number of the most requested services, including vehicle registration and renewal, issuing and renewing driver’s licenses, paying traffic fines, and impounding vehicles, ensuring that the new services are linked to the actual needs of customers.
He stressed that people with disabilities, the elderly, and other customer groups are key partners in the development process, and that listening to their opinions and involving them in the design of services contributes to providing easier and more suitable solutions for their needs.
Seven-star rating
The Fujairah Traffic and Licensing Services Centre’s achievement of a seven-star rating is an extension of its institutional development journey, which began with it receiving a five-star rating in February 2014, as the first entity affiliated with the Ministry of Interior to receive this rating, before it rose to six stars in 2021, becoming the first service centre at the state level to achieve that rating.
The centre crowned its journey in the sixth cycle of the evaluation of UAE government service centres by obtaining a seven-star rating, after it developed its service system based on digital transformation, simplifying procedures, and proactive services, in order to reduce the time required to complete a single transaction to no more than four minutes, from submission to completion, according to what was announced by Fujairah Police.
Source: Emirates 24|7