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Apply for Registering a New Vehicle

This service enables you to apply for registering a new vehicle and issuing an ownership certificate for the registered one.

Eligibility
Individuals, citizens and residents, and companies are eligible to apply for this service.
Required documents

For citizens

  1. Customer’s traffic file
  2. Original Emirates ID to update the information
  3. Vehicle customs card issued from one of the country’s customs departments
  4. Reference number of the electronic Transfer Certificate or electronic Possession Certificate or electronic Change of Possession Certificate or Export Certificate, if the vehicle was imported from a party other than the authorised dealer in the following cases:
    • If the vehicle was imported in the name of a person, it can be registered with the customs card issued from any UAE emirate
    • If the vehicle was imported by an establishment, it must be transferred from the emirate where the establishment is located to Dubai
  5. Electronic or physical selling agreement between the seller and buyer approved by the system
  6. Vehicle test certificate if the vehicle was inspected outside of Dubai, used, or imported from a source other than the local dealer
  7. Gulf specification conformity form (UAE standards test) if the vehicle was not compliant with GCC specifications
  8. Electronic insurance certificate from the vehicle’s insurer, valid for 6 months or more.

For residents

  1. Customer’s traffic file
  2. Original Emirates ID to update the information
  3. Copy of the valid passport or the ID if available
  4. Vehicle customs card issued from one of the country’s customs departments
  5. Reference number of the electronic Transfer Certificate or electronic Possession Certificate or electronic Change of Possession Certificate or Export Certificate, if the vehicle was imported from a party other than the authorised dealer in the following cases:
    • If the vehicle was imported in the name of a person, it can be registered with the customs card issued from any UAE emirate
    • If the vehicle was imported by an establishment, it must be transferred from the emirate where the establishment is located to Dubai
  6. Electronic or physical selling agreement between the seller and buyer approved by the system
  7. Vehicle test certificate if the vehicle was inspected outside of Dubai, used, or imported from a source other than the local dealer
  8. Gulf specification conformity form (UAE standards test) if the vehicle was not compliant with GCC specifications
  9. Electronic insurance certificate from the vehicle’s insurer, valid for 6 months or more.
  10. Residence visa issued from Dubai or the fulfillment of one of the registration conditions for holders of residence visas from other emirates.

For members of political and diplomatic bodies

  1. Customer’s traffic file
  2. Original Emirates ID + copy of the passport
  3. A letter from the ministry of Foreign Affairs
  4. Vehicle customs card issued from one of the country’s customs departments
  5. Reference number of the electronic Transfer Certificate or electronic Possession Certificate or electronic Change of Possession Certificate or Export Certificate, if the vehicle was imported from a party other than the authorised dealer in the following cases:
    • If the vehicle was imported in the name of a person, it can be registered with the customs card issued from any UAE emirate
    • If the vehicle was imported by an establishment, it must be transferred from the emirate where the establishment is located to Dubai
  6. Electronic or physical selling agreement between the seller and buyer approved by the system
  7. Vehicle test certificate if the vehicle was inspected outside of Dubai, used, or imported from a source other than the local dealer
  8. Gulf specification conformity form (UAE standards test) if the vehicle was not compliant with GCC specifications.
  9. Electronic insurance certificate from the vehicle’s insurer, valid for 6 months or more.

For customers under 18 years old and have a judicial decision to register a vehicle under their names

  1. Customer’s traffic file
  2. Original Emirates ID + copy of the passport
  3. Vehicle customs card issued from one of the country’s customs departments
  4. Reference number of the electronic Transfer Certificate or electronic Possession Certificate or electronic Change of Possession Certificate or Export Certificate, if the vehicle was imported from a party other than the authorised dealer in the following cases:
    • If the vehicle was imported in the name of a person, it can be registered with the customs card issued from any UAE emirate
    • If the vehicle was imported by an establishment, it must be transferred from the emirate where the establishment is located to Dubai
  5. Electronic or physical selling agreement between the seller and buyer approved by the system
  6. Vehicle test certificate if the vehicle was inspected outside of Dubai, used, or imported from a source other than the local dealer
  7. Gulf specification conformity form (UAE standards test) if the vehicle was not compliant with GCC specifications
  8. Electronic insurance certificate from the vehicle’s insurer, valid for 6 months or more.

For governmental bodies and departments

  1. The traffic file of the governmental body or department
  2. Vehicle customs card issued from one of the country’s customs departments
  3. Reference number of the electronic Transfer Certificate or electronic Possession Certificate or electronic Change of Possession Certificate or Export Certificate, if the vehicle was imported from a party other than the authorised dealer in the following cases:
    • If the vehicle was imported in the name of a person, it can be registered with the customs card issued from any UAE emirate
    • If the vehicle was imported by an establishment, it must be transferred from the emirate where the establishment is located to Dubai
  4. Electronic or physical selling agreement between the seller and buyer approved by the system
  5. Vehicle test certificate if the vehicle was inspected outside of Dubai, used, or imported from a source other than the local dealer
  6. Gulf specification conformity form (UAE standards test) if the vehicle was not compliant with GCC specifications
  7. A letter from the governmental body addressed to the Vehicle Licensing Department, signed by the authorised signatory and stamped by the governmental body
  8. Electronic insurance certificate from the vehicle’s insurer, valid for 6 months or more.

For parties related to Dubai government that hold no Establishment Decree

  1. The traffic file of the governmental department
  2. Vehicle customs card issued from one of the country’s customs departments
  3. Reference number of the electronic Transfer Certificate or electronic Possession Certificate or electronic Change of Possession Certificate or Export Certificate, if the vehicle was imported from a party other than the authorised dealer in the following cases:
    • If the vehicle was imported in the name of a person, it can be registered with the customs card issued from any UAE emirate
    • If the vehicle was imported by an establishment, it must be transferred from the emirate where the establishment is located to Dubai
  4. Electronic or physical selling agreement between the seller and buyer approved by the system
  5. Vehicle test certificate if the vehicle was inspected outside of Dubai, used, or imported from a source other than the local dealer
  6. Gulf specification conformity form (UAE standards test) if the vehicle was not compliant with GCC specifications
  7. A letter from the governmental body addressed to the Vehicle Licensing Department, signed by the authorised signatory and stamped by the governmental body
  8. Electronic insurance certificate from the vehicle’s insurer, valid for 6 months or more.

For commercial companies and owners of fleets and facilities

  1. Traffic file of the company, establishment or facility
  2. Letter from the establishments, companies or dealers + copy of the trade licence
  3. Vehicle customs card issued from one of the country’s customs departments.
  4. Reference number of the electronic Transfer Certificate or electronic Possession Certificate or electronic Change of Possession Certificate or Export Certificate, if the vehicle was imported from a party other than the authorised dealer in the following cases:
    • If the vehicle was imported in the name of a person, it can be registered with the customs card issued from any UAE emirate
    • If the vehicle was imported by an establishment, it must be transferred from the emirate where the establishment is located to Dubai
  5. Electronic or physical selling agreement between the seller and buyer approved by the system
  6. Gulf specification conformity form (UAE standards test) if the vehicle was not compliant with GCC specifications
  7. Electronic insurance certificate from the vehicle’s insurer, valid for 6 months or more.

For political and diplomatic bodies

  1. Traffic file of the diplomatic or political body
  2. A letter from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
  3. Vehicle customs card issued from one of the country’s customs departments
  4. Reference number of the electronic Transfer Certificate or electronic Possession Certificate or electronic Change of Possession Certificate or Export Certificate, if the vehicle was imported from a party other than the authorised dealer in the following cases:
    • If the vehicle was imported in the name of a person, it can be registered with the customs card issued from any UAE emirate
    • If the vehicle was imported by an establishment, it must be transferred from the emirate where the establishment is located to Dubai
  5. Vehicle test certificate if the vehicle was inspected outside of Dubai, used, or imported from a source other than the local dealer
  6. Gulf specification conformity form (UAE standards test) if the vehicle was not compliant with GCC specifications
  7. Electronic insurance certificate from the vehicle’s insurer, valid for 6 months or more.

For international organization operating inside the UAE

  1. Customer’s traffic file
  2. Original Emirates ID + copy of the passport
  3. A letter from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
  4. Vehicle customs card issued from one of the country’s customs departments
  5. Reference number of the electronic Transfer Certificate or electronic Possession Certificate or electronic Change of Possession Certificate or Export Certificate, if the vehicle was imported from a party other than the authorised dealer in the following cases:
    • If the vehicle was imported in the name of a person, it can be registered with the customs card issued from any UAE emirate
    • If the vehicle was imported by an establishment, it must be transferred from the emirate where the establishment is located to Dubai
  6. Electronic or physical selling agreement between the seller and buyer approved by the system
  7. Vehicle test certificate if the vehicle was inspected outside of Dubai, used, or imported from a source other than the local dealer
  8. Gulf specification conformity form (UAE standards test) if the vehicle was not compliant with GCC specifications
  9. Electronic insurance certificate from the vehicle’s insurer, valid for 6 months or more.
Service fees
  • 400 AED light vehicle private/public
  • 500 AED vehicle between 3 and 12 tonnes
  • 750 AED public vehicle between 3 and 12 tonnes
  • 900 AED vehicle exceeding 12 tonnes
  • 1,200 AED public vehicle exceeding 12 tonnes
  • 600 AED private light mechanical equipment
  • 800 AED public light mechanical equipment
  • 1,000 AED private heavy mechanical equipment
  • 1,300 AED public heavy mechanical equipment
  • 120 AED trailer and semi-trailer
  • 500 AED bus with a number of passengers between 14 and 26
  • 1,200 AED bus with a number of passengers exceeding 26
  • 200 AED motorcycle
  • +20 AED Knowledge and Innovation fees.

Note: Service fees vary according to the size of the plate: 35 AED for the short plate and 50 AED for the long plate, and 200 AED for Dubai branded plates.

Inspection fees

  • 150 AED light vehicle
  • 200 AED heavy vehicle
  • 120 AED motorcycle
  • 120 AED quad bike
  • 120 AED light mechanical equipment
  • 150 AED heavy mechanical equipment
  • 120 AED trailer and semi-trailer
  • 100 AED export technical inspection
  • 420 AED technical inspection of classical vehicle
  • +20 AED Knowledge and Innovation fees.
Process time
  • Through Self Service Machines: Instantly
  • Through Customer Happiness Centres or Vehicle Registration and Inspection Centres: 5 minutes.
Process

Through Self Service Machines, Customer Happiness Centres or Vehicle Registration and Inspection Centres

  • The customer submits the required documents.
  • The customer settles the service fees.
  • The customer receives the vehicle's ownership certificate, the plate numbers and the expiry sticker.
Average waiting time
  • 10 minutes.
Validity

1 year from the date of the vehicle registration.
What you will get
  • Vehicle ownership
  • Vehicle plates
  • Expiry sticker.
Terms and conditions
  • The customer or the legal representative must be present in person.
  • The vehicle must pass the traffic safety test.
  • The customer is required to settle all the traffic fines before receiving this service.
  • People of Determination are exempted from the registration fees of maximum 1 vehicle after presenting the required documents relevant to the service and the card of the Ministry of Social Affairs.
  • Customers who have a residence visa from another emirate must meet one of the following conditions:
    • The customer must be an investor in Dubai (property or facility owner).
    • The customer must work for a company that has a branch in Dubai.
    • The customer must be a resident in Dubai (the customer must provide a ratified tenancy agreement from Dubai's Real Estate Regulatory Agency or a recent electricity bill).
    • The customer must be an employee at a governmental or semi-governmental agency or at a regional institution that has an office in Dubai.
    • The customer must own a special number before 27 January 2007.
    • The customer must present a letter from the university if he is enrolled at any educational institution in Dubai.
  • GCC citizens who want to register a vehicle must present the original Emirates ID and are not required to meet the previous conditions.
  • Individuals can register new imported vehicles through an agent for 1، 2 or 3 years on the condition that they insure the vehicle over the requested period.
  • If the vehicle was brand new, Zero Kilometer, purchased for an agency and the buyer was the first owner, the vehicle is exempted from the technical inspection for 3 years starting from the manufacturing year or the registration year (whichever comes first).
  • Companies that transport passengers by rented buses cannot register buses with a capacity of 14 passengers or less.
  • If the customer owns more than one company, a traffic file must be created for each trade licence, as the vehicles cannot be registered by submitting trade licence only.
FAQs
  • Question 1: Is it possible to register a vehicle if the possession certificate is issued in another emirate?

Answer 1: No, a possession certificate issued in another emirate cannot be used to register the vehicle in Dubai.

  • Question 2: What are the specifications to register a heavy vehicle (3 tonnes)?

Answer 2:

    • Height: 4.2 m
    • Width: 2.6 m
    • Length: depending on the vehicle.
  • Question 3: Can citizens enrolled in the army register a vehicle in Dubai? Are residents allowed to register vehicles?

Answer 3: Citizens are allowed to register vehicles in Dubai even if they are enrolled in the army. Residents are allowed to register the vehicle that meets the Dubai conditions for registering a vehicle.

  • Question 4: What type of vehicles are citizens and residents allowed to register?

Answer 4:

Residents: Only light vehicles and motorcycles

Citizens: Light vehicles and motorcycles. They can also register a light bus if the family was comprised of at least 10 members, after presenting a proof (a family book for special reasons or a birth certificate).

  • Question 5: How many vehicles are customers allowed to register?

Answer 5: Customers are allowed to register an unlimited number of vehicles.

  • Question 6: What is the registration validity based on the insurance provided by the customer?

Answer 6: If the insurance was valid for more than 1 year, the registration is valid for more than 1 year, with a maximum validity of 3 years. This is only applicable to new vehicles.

  • Question 7: Are customers with investment visas allowed to register a vehicle?

Answer 7: Yes, but the visa must be valid for at least 6 months.

  • Question 8: Are customers allowed to register light pick-ups?

Answer 8:

Citizens: Customers are allowed to register 4-door light transport vehicles and 2-door vehicles, and they will receive private plates.

Dubai and other emirates residents: Customers are allowed to register fancy 4-door vehicles if the vehicles meet the registration conditions.

  • Question 9: What are the cases applicable for technical inspection?

Answer 9: If the vehicles are purchased from a private enterprise other than the authorised dealers and also if the vehicles are imported or previously owned.

  • Question 10: What is the procedure if the customer loses the plate sticker?

Answer 10: if a customer loses for some reason the plate sticker, he can head to any Vehicles Renewal Services centres and pay 10 AED to receive a new sticker.

  • Question 11: Are customers allowed to register a vehicle without holding a driving licence?

Answer 11: It is possible to register a vehicle without holding a driving licence on condition that the customer has a Dubai residence visa.

  • Question 12: Can customers register a vehicle if he provides the estate property documents?

Answer 12: This is possible if the property is owned by the customer. He must present the Emirates ID and the original passport.

  • Question 13: In which cases the technical test undertaken in other emirates is accepted?

Answer 13: It is accepted when registering, renewing or transferring the ownership of light vehicles from Dubai to other emirates.

  • Question 14: Can customers upload the results of the technical test online?

Answer 14: RTA electronically uploads the result of the test.

  • Question 15: Are customers allowed to register vehicles if they have 2 traffic files?

Answer 15: Yes, customers can register the vehicle after requesting from RTA to merge the 2 traffic files into 1. After having 1 traffic file, the customer can register the vehicle.

  • Question 16: When was the ownership e-card implemented for individuals?

Answer 16:

    • Phase 1 on January 1, 2018: Government, rental and taxi vehicles
    • Phase 2 on May 1, 2018: diplomatic and corporate vehicles
    • Phase 3 on September 1, 2018: Individuals vehicles.
  • Question 17: What is ownership e-card and what details it includes?

Answer 17: The ownership e-card is an electronic document called (Vehicle Licence) sent to the customer via email and SMS . It includes all the ownership details including the expiry date, mortgage and insurance. This e-card is issued through the service of "Authenticating the Validity of an RTA Document" on the RTA website and Dubai Drive application and the customer has to print it or save it on their phone to show it to concerned authorities when needed.

  • Question 18: How can customers print the ownership e-card or any other document in case they didn’t receive an email or they wanted to verify the vehicle details, renewal date and insurance details?

Answer 18: The ownership e-card may be printed through the Document Validation service, by selecting service type "Vehicle Licence" then entering the vehicle details to show the print order.

  • Question 19: What details are featured on the vehicle licence?

Answer 19: The vehicle licence features all the details related to the vehicle including the expiry date, the mortgage and the insurance details. It is sent via email to the customer in a printable format.

  • Question 20: What happens when police patrols or officers request the ownership card?

Answer 20: The customer shows the ownership e-card featured in RTA applications and saved on his phone, or shows the printed copy of the e-card.

  • Question 21: How does the customer show the e-card to the licensing department?

Answer 21: The customer shows the ownership e-card featured in RTA applications and saved on his phone, or shows the printed copy of the e-card.

  • Question 22: How can the customer access the insurance details?

Answer 22: The insurance details are featured on the ownership e-card accessible through RTA mobile application, or on the printed copy of the vehicle licence.

  • Question 23: How can the customer access the mortgage details?

Answer 23: Mortgage details are feature on all the documents.

  • Question 24: What happens when the ownership details are amended?

Answer 24: In case any of the vehicle details get amended such as changing the plate number or the color, details are updated on the ownership e-card and the vehicle’s licence.

  • Question 25: In case the customer doesn’t have RTA application, can the vehicle licence be printed through the customer service centre?

Answer 25: There is no need for the customer service representative to print the vehicle licence. The customer may print it through the link sent via email.

  • Question 26: Is the customer obliged to replace the vehicle licence once the electronic ownership phase implemented?

Answer 26: The ownership certificate is replaced only upon its renewal, or in case of replacement of a lost/damaged licence or change in ownership document such as change of color or plate number or adding or redeeming a mortgage.

  • Question 27: In case the customer’s phone number was registered wrongly, how can the link be resent to him?

Answer 27: The customer shall update his personal details though RTA Call Centre: 8009090. Also the ownership e-card may be printed through the Document Validation service, by selecting service type "Vehicle Licence" then entering the vehicle details to show the print order.

  • Question 28: How can the customer check the expiry date of his vehicle licence?

Answer 28: The vehicle’s expiry date can be checked in several ways:

    • Through the details featured on the vehicle’s licence
    • Through the short messages sent to the customers’ mobile numbers.

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