Abu Dhabi Suspends Vehicle Services and Violations Through "Sahl" Devices

Abu Dhabi Suspends Key Vehicle Services on Self-Service Kiosks in Major Digital Overhaul

Abu Dhabi Police and the Integrated Transport Centre have temporarily suspended vehicle registration and traffic violation services on "Sahl" self-service kiosks across the emirate, signaling a strategic shift toward centralized digital platforms. The move reflects the UAE's broader push to streamline government services and enhance user experience through unified digital channels.

Service Migration to Digital-First Strategy

The suspension affects critical services that residents and businesses rely on daily, including vehicle registration renewals and traffic fine payments through the widely-used Sahl kiosks. Abu Dhabi Police announced via social media platform X that these services will continue to be available through the "Tamm" digital platform, the emirate's flagship government services portal.

Vehicle ownership certificate printing remains the only service still available through Sahl kiosks, but only for users who opt against home delivery when completing transactions through Tamm.

Strategic Context Behind the Digital Consolidation

This transition aligns with the UAE's Vision 2071 and the Emirates' commitment to becoming a fully digital government by 2025. Abu Dhabi has been particularly aggressive in digitizing public services, following successful models implemented in Estonia and Singapore.

The move away from physical kiosks mirrors global trends where governments are reducing hardware maintenance costs while pushing users toward more sophisticated digital platforms that offer better data analytics and user tracking capabilities.

Operational Efficiency and Cost Considerations

Maintaining thousands of self-service kiosks across Abu Dhabi involves significant operational expenses, including hardware maintenance, software updates, and physical security. By consolidating services on Tamm, authorities can redirect resources toward improving the digital infrastructure and expanding online capabilities.

The timing suggests authorities are confident in Tamm's stability and user adoption rates, indicating the platform has reached sufficient maturity to handle the increased traffic from migrated services.

Impact on Residents and Business Operations

For Abu Dhabi's 1.7 million residents, this change requires adaptation to mobile-first service delivery. While younger, tech-savvy users may welcome the shift, older residents and those with limited digital literacy could face challenges during the transition period.

Fleet operators and businesses managing multiple vehicles will need to adjust their administrative processes, potentially requiring staff training on the Tamm platform's interface and capabilities.

Service Accessibility Concerns

The suspension raises questions about service accessibility in remote areas where internet connectivity may be inconsistent. Sahl kiosks provided offline alternatives for essential government services, and their reduced functionality could create service gaps in certain locations.

However, Abu Dhabi's robust telecommunications infrastructure and high smartphone penetration rates suggest most users can adapt to the digital-only approach without significant disruption.

Regional Digital Government Leadership

Abu Dhabi's aggressive digitization places it among the most advanced government service providers globally, competing directly with Singapore's SingPass system and Estonia's e-Residency program. This latest move demonstrates the emirate's commitment to maintaining its position as a regional leader in digital governance.

The success of this transition will likely influence other emirates and regional governments considering similar consolidation strategies, making Abu Dhabi a critical test case for large-scale digital service migration in the Middle East.