Apply for Changing a Vehicle Ownership
Transfer the ownership of a vehicle from the owner (seller) and register it officially under the name of the buyer, perform an online Sale and Purchase Agreement, change the possession of a vehicle to a new owner, and obtain an Insurance Refund Certificate for a vehicle that has been disposed of.
Select the type of certificate
Output
Changing the vehicle ownership (Vehicle Sale and Purchase Agreement Certificate, valid for 14 days)
Ways to Apply
Website
- Website
- RTA Smart Apps
- RTA Partner Apps
- Customer Happiness Centres
- Vehicle Registration and Inspection Centres
Channels
Steps
- The seller logs in to his account using his username and password, or UAE Pass.
- The seller selects Change Ownership from Vehicle Licensing Services , then selects the vehicle.
- The seller’s identity is verified through his UAE Pass and registered phone number.
- The seller pays the fines, if any.
- The seller enters the buyer's personal information and vehicle data and submits the application.
- The buyer receives a link to sign the Sale and Purchase Agreement through SMS and email.
- After the buyer's signature, the seller receives a notification through SMS and email and signs the agreement.
- The seller chooses whether to hand over the plates at the centre within 14 days from the fees settlement or through the delivery service.
- The buyer pays the fees.
- The buyer heads to one of the listed service centres to complete the vehicle registration process.
Service Time
Instantly
Channels
Steps
- The seller logs in to his account using his UAE Pass.
- The seller selects Change Vehicle Ownership from Vehicle Licensing services list.
- The seller selects the vehicle and pays the fines, if any.
- The seller enters the buyer's Emirates ID number and phone number.
- The seller selects whether to return the plate to RTA or reserve it for future use.
- The buyer signs the vehicle Sale and Purchase Agreement and pays the fees.
- The seller signs the vehicle Sale and Purchase Agreement, selects the method for returning the plates, and pays the fees.
- The seller hands over the vehicle plates to gain access to the Sale and Purchase Agreement through My Docs page.
- The buyer heads to the service centre to complete the vehicle registration process.
Service Time
Instantly
Channels
- Dubai Now ( Google play - App store )
Steps
- The seller logs in through his UAE Pass.
- The seller selects the service and the vehicle to be sold.
- The seller pays the fines, if any.
- The seller enters the buyer's Emirates ID number.
- The parties sign the vehicle ownership changing agreement.
- The buyer pays the fees.
- The buyer purchases the insurance through the application.
- The buyer heads to the service centre for the vehicle inspection.
- The buyer registers the vehicle.
Service Time
Instantly
Channels
Steps
- The seller receives a link from the front desk employee.
- The seller uploads the documents through the link.
- The seller receives the transaction code and shares it with the employee.
- The seller checks and electronically signs the application.
- The seller pays the fees.
- The seller hands over the vehicle plates.
- The buyer heads to the service centre to complete the vehicle registration process.
Service Time
Instantly
Channels
Steps
- The seller receives a link from the front desk employee.
- The seller uploads the documents through the link.
- The seller receives the transaction code and shares it with the employee.
- The seller checks and electronically signs the application.
- The seller pays the fees.
- The seller hands over the vehicle plates.
- The buyer heads to the service centre to complete the vehicle registration process.
Service Time
Instantly
Important to Know
You Should Have
- If the seller isn't available, you must provide a Sale and Purchase Agreement from an accredited showroom in Dubai.
- Your legal representative must have a power of attorney stipulating the “sale and disposal of vehicles”.
- If the plates of the registered vehicle are consulate plates, you must provide an NOC from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and contact the Customer Happiness Centre - Deira.
- If the showroom is a mediator in the Sale and Purchase Agreement, the presence of the buyer and seller in the showroom must be proved through the Emirates ID, stamping, and signature of the online Sale and Purchase Agreement. When completing the transaction in the service centre, the showroom representative and the buyer or their legal representatives must be present to complete the remaining procedures.
- If the showroom is the vehicle owner in the Sale and Purchase Agreement, the presence of the person authorised by the company and buyer in the showroom must be proved through the Emirates ID, stamping, and signature of the online Sale and Purchase Agreement. When completing the transaction in the service centre, the buyer or his legal representative must be present to complete the remaining procedures.
You Should Know
- All powers of attorney issued outside the UAE must be ratified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- The Online Sale and Purchase System allows customers to conclude selling agreements between individuals and companies as follows:
- Between individuals
- Between an individual and an institution or company
- Between the showroom or dealership, owner of the system, and an individual or commercial company.
- If you're a GCC national who wants to register his vehicle and are unable to provide an Emirates ID, you must provide a document proving that you're:
- Working in Dubai for a governmental or semi-governmental entity.
- A property owner, investor, or student in Dubai.
- If you're a resident outside Dubai, you must be:
- an investor, partner, manager, or owner of a facility in Dubai (Trade Licence).
- an owner of a final contract or a tenancy contract (the contract must be endorsed by the Land Department (Ejari).
- working in a company which has a branch in Dubai.
- an owner of a special plate number since before 27/01/2007 or which was bought in an auction (direct purchase).
- The selling transaction is considered void if any changes, amendments, or deletion occurred to the content after the contracting parties approve and sign the Sale and Purchase Agreement, to ensure the accuracy of the information when filling the Sale and Purchase Agreement form.
- The vehicle ownership is changed to the buyer’s name after the seller submits the vehicle plates.
- If you don't have a Traffic File, you must submit the below documents when applying for the service:
- For citizens: Emirates ID
- For residents in Dubai or another emirate:
- Copy of the Valid Passport
- Copy of the Residence Visa
- Copy of the Emirates ID.
- On Sundays, Al Yalayis Vehicle Testing and Muhaisna Shamil centres only provide inspection services.
- The validity of the online Sale and Purchase Agreement is 14 days. If the agreement exceeds the mentioned period, it's considered cancelled by virtue of the provisions of the traffic law.
- In case of a lost plate, you must apply for a lost plate(s) report according to the procedures followed by the Licensing Agency at RTA.
- You or your legal representative must be present in person when applying at Customer Happiness or Inspection Centres.
You Should Do
- Pay all traffic fines (Dubai and other emirates fines).
- If your vehicle is mortgaged, release the mortgage online.
- If the vehicle ownership is expired, pay the non-renewal fine.
Eligible Categories
Citizens, residents, GCC nationals, and diplomats
Service Requirements
I Am
Fees
| Sale and Purchase Agreement | 50 AED |
| Knowledge and Innovation | 20 AED |
Total fees: --
- Agreement fee: AED 20 (paid by showrooms to RTA)
Payment Methods
- Cash
- eWallet
- Credit card
Terms and Conditions
- You must complete all licensing transactions within 14 days to prevent penalties and fines.
- The vehicle is sold according to its model and type registered in its official documents. This sale is governed by the provisions of the Federal Traffic Law No. (21) of 1995 and its Executive Regulations and amendments.
FAQs
- Q : If the vehicle owner passes away, what are the documents required from his family to change the vehicle ownership and pay all the fines?
- A : A family member must visit Dubai Court to obtain a letter, Death Certificate, and any other documents provided by the court. Then, he must present all the documents at one of the Partners and Service Providers Centres in Dubai to change the ownership. The request to change the vehicle ownership is submitted by the court to the e-Traffic System.
- Q : What's the Ownership e-Card and what details does it include?
- A : The Ownership e-Card is an electronic document called Vehicle Licence sent via email and SMS. It includes all the ownership details including the expiry date, mortgage, and insurance. This e-card is issued through the Document Validation service page on RTA Website. You have to print or save it on your phone to show it to the concerned authorities when needed.
- Q : How can I print the Ownership e-Card or any other document in case I didn’t receive an email or I want to verify the vehicle details, renewal date, and insurance details?
- A : You can print it through the Document Validation service . Select Vehicle Licence as product type, then enter the vehicle details to trigger the print order.
- Q : What details are featured on the Vehicle Licence?
- A : The Vehicle Licence features all the details related to the vehicle including the expiry date, the mortgage, and the insurance details. It's sent via email in a printable format.
- Q : How can I show the Ownership e-Card to the police patrols or officers, or the Licensing Department?
- A : You can show the Ownership e-Card featured in RTA smart applications and saved on your phone, or the printed copy of the e-card.
- Q : How can I access the vehicle insurance details?
- A : The insurance details are featured on the Ownership e-Card accessible through RTA website and smart application, or on the printed copy of the Vehicle Licence.
- Q : How can I access the mortgage details?
- A : Mortgage details are featured on all the vehicle-related documents.
- Q : What happens when the ownership details are amended?
- A : When amending an ownership detail, like changing the plate number or the vehicle colour, details are updated on the Ownership e-Card and the Vehicle Licence.
- Q : If I don't have RTA application, can I print the Vehicle Licence at the service centre?
- A : You don't need a customer service representative to print the Vehicle Licence. You can print it through the link you received by email.
- Q : Am I obliged to replace the Vehicle Licence once the electronic ownership phase is implemented?
- A : The Ownership Certificate is replaced only upon its renewal, or in case of replacement of lost/damaged licence or change in ownership document such as change of colour or plate number or adding or redeeming a mortgage.
- Q : If the transaction is completed and I didn't receive the Vehicle Licence through SMS or email, how can I check the expiry date of the ownership?
- A : You can check your personal details though RTA Call Centre on 800 90 90, or print the Ownership e-Card through the Document Validation service . Select Vehicle Licence as product type, then enter the vehicle details to trigger the print order.
- Q : How can I check the expiry date of the ownership?
- A : Through the Vehicle Licence or the SMS sent to your registered phone number.
- Q : Can I change the ownership of a Dubai right-hand drive vehicle?
- A : No, you can't change the vehicle ownership. You can only renew it if the vehicle is registered.
- Q: Who's the concerned person who should go to the centre on behalf of the political and diplomatic bodies?
- A: The official commissioner or authorised person should go to the centre on behalf of the political or diplomatic body.
- Q : What's an online Sale and Purchase Agreement?
- A : It's a contract between 2 parties, approving the presence of the seller and the buyer in the authorised showrooms. It's an alternative to the traditional agreements.
- Q : What will happen to the traditional Sale and Purchase Agreement?
- A : It'll be completely cancelled and will no longer be accepted in the service centres.
- Q : What are the characteristics of the Online Sale and Purchase Agreement?
- A : The characteristics of the Online Sale and Purchase Agreement are the following:
- It guarantees the rights of the seller and the buyer.
- It protects the seller from changing the ownership of the vehicle or plate without his knowledge, since the transaction requires the presence of both the seller and buyer, as well as the verification of their Emirates IDs through the card reader.
- It prevents the seller from using the vehicle after signing the Online Sale and Purchase Agreement.
- It promotes the use of the Emirates ID as one of the most important identification documents in the UAE.
- It records the vehicle transaction history, namely the changes in vehicle or plate ownership.
- It gives access to the vehicle transaction history, and statistics of the Sale and Purchase Agreements performed in the showrooms, which wasn't possible with paper agreements.
- It ensures the automatic cancellation of the Sale and Purchase Agreement if the buyer doesn't complete the required transaction before its expiry.
- It ensures that all traffic fines issued after the signature of the online agreement are registered under the buyer's name.
- A : The characteristics of the Online Sale and Purchase Agreement are the following:
- Q : Are showrooms equipped with a smart card reader?
- A : Yes.
- Q : Are showrooms trained on using the Online Sale and Purchase Agreement System?
- A : Yes, a workshop was held in the showrooms after signing the agreement.
- Q : What's the geographic scope of the Online Sale and Purchase Agreement?
- A : It can be used in Dubai only.
- Q: Do federal centres in other emirates still offer the service of transferring vehicles registered in Dubai to other emirates?
- A : No, federal centres in other emirates don’t offer the service of transferring Dubai-registered vehicles. However, they provide vehicle inspection services to individuals only.
Updated on: 26-November-2025