Car Registration in Dubai? So Simple and Straightforward!

Owing a car in the UAE whether new or used needs to go through legal proceedings; Key among them is registering the vehicle.

Car registration is the granting of an official identity which confirms the car is safely qualified to be driven on the UAE roads.

In addition, car registration is one of the most important prerequisites that allow you to carry out many other legal procedures such as obtaining insurance coverage, selling the car to the next potential owner or any subsequent technical inspection.

The following guide helps you to be fully dominant on steps of car registration in Dubai and do all the phases effortlessly and quickly.

To Register a New Car Where Do I Start from?

First and foremost, in order to register a new car, you must have official proof of residency in the UAE which includes a valid Emirates ID and a residence visa.

Next step, make sure you have list of documents which dealer has handed over you such as purchase invoice (Sale agreement), the certificate of origin, and the dealer delivery note. The third stage of documents presentation is related to insurance.

Should I get insurance or register the car first?

In the legal hierarchy that exists for car registration in the UAE and applies to residents of all emirates, at the time of vehicle registration, owner is obliged to offer proven documents stating the car is already insured.

Dealers often have connected to insurance provider and usually offer insurance as part of the purchase process.

In case you are planning to buy a new car for the first time, and you are not familiar with the legal procedures of car registration, make your purchase from these well-known and reliable sources that will eliminates additional bureaucracy:

• Al-Futtaim Motors
• Arabian Automobiles
• Gargash Enterprises
• Galadari Automobiles

Processes of online New Car Registration

A new car will be registered through smart applications, or websites of the traffic departments of the emirates. Depending on what emirate you reside in, you should visit its relevant RTA website and take the necessary steps to register the car.

If you are a resident of Dubai, follow these steps.

1. Go to rta.ae website and log in to your account (If you do not have an account, create it first)
2. Click on Vehicle Registration under Driver and Car Owner services.
3. Click on New Vehicle Registration and enter required details.
4. Upload necessary documents.
5. Pay the registration fees online.
6. Click on Submit and Receive a confirmation.
7. Either get the car registration card or Mulkiya from an RTA designated centers or choose home delivery services (if available).

Used Car Registration in Dubai

The documents required to register a used car are almost the same as what mentioned about a new car.

• The main difference is that both buyer and seller need to have these documents.
• Emirates ID of buyer and seller
• Passport with Residency Visa Copy of buyer and seller
• Insurance document in buyer’s name
• Car registration card of seller (previous Mulkiya)
• Sale Agreement or Transfer Form signed by both buyer and seller
• No Objection Certificate from bank stating the car is under loan

Add the proof of fine payment and technical examination certificate to the aforementioned document.

All fines have to be cleared before transferring ownership and new registration (this includes traffic fines, toll and any penalty associated with the car. Technical inspection is mandatory for a used car.

The seller must make sure the car meets the required standards. To ensure transparency and accuracy in checking the condition of the car, the buyer can accompany the seller during the inspection.

Administrative Procedures for Registering a Used Car

After sorting out all required documents, both parties should visit one of RTA-approved centers such as Tasjeel, Shamil, or Wasel and submit the documents.

RTA transfers ownership of the vehicle to the buyer’s name.

The registration fee payment is the responsibility of buyer.

The buyer will receive Mulkia and a new license plate if needed (in some cases the seller insists on keeping previous number plate).

Car Registration Renewal in UAE

Light vehicle registration needs to be renewed annually. As a responsible driver, you are expected to apply for renewal according to RTA timeline and expiry date mentioned on registration card.

RTA usually informs you about the due date via text message or email.

Fortunately For whom are not interested in last minute rushes and paying fines, Early Renewal is an opportunity to renew the car registration up to 150 days or five months earlier. But it is not compulsory.

According to traffic rules, vehicle owners are given a 30-day Grace Period from the exact time of the vehicle expiration to apply for renewal. In fact, driver is allowed to maneuver with expired registration for one month holding no fine.

After this due period, driver is subject to Late Renewal and will be fined AED 25 for every one month of delay.

If more than three months have passed since the date of renewal registration, the vehicle will be confiscated for 7 days.

Document Required to Renew the Car Registration

• Emirates ID
• Car registration card
• Valid Car insurance certificate
• Car inspection certificate (if needed). If it has been more than three years since the car left the showroom, it needs a technical inspection. Take your car to a technical inspection center to get tested. It costs about AED 150.
• Proven document stating that all traffic fines are paid and black points are removed. Process of payment can be conducted easily by visiting RTA.ae website. You can attend the classes of Traffic Awareness Courses developed by Dubai Police to eliminate the black points.

How to Renew Car Registration Online?

• To get New Mulkiya or car registration card Go to Rta.ae website and log in to your account.
• Click on Vehicle Registration.
• Navigate to Renewal section.
• Enter required details like vehicle registration number.
• Upload necessary document (insurance and inspection report)
• Pay the Fees online and receive confirmation.
• Your car registration will be renewed between 3 to 5 working days. You can collect it from designated centers or receive it in registered address.

Frequent Asked Questions about car registration in Dubai

Where can I go for a technical inspection of the car?

Several active centers are designated by RTA to diagnose your car and get test certificate such as Tasjeel, Shamil, Wasel, ADNOC Vehicle Inspection Center. The only thing you need to do is checking which one is the nearest to your location.

Can I drive a car with expired registration while the insurance is renewed?

In the case of insurance and registration, the two are not related and the renewal of one cannot support the expiration of another. Before sitting behind the wheel make sure both are valid.

Can I register a car with UAE visit visa?

In the United Arab Emirates, vehicle registration is directly linked to the Emirates ID which only three groups eligible to obtain it: UAE Citizens, UAE Residents and GCC Nationals.

So, it is not possible to register car with visit visa. Note that the Emirates ID is essential for almost all administrative activities including opening a bank account, car rental, getting driving license and car registry.

End Note
Car registration is mandatory in the UAE. Once the process of registration performed the vehicle connects to both owner and authority (in case of safety and security).

After all, if you caught up with an expired registration car, a fine of AED 500 and a 7-day car impounding will await you. We hope armed with presented information you finalize the procedure in maximum efficiency.

Please note that any facts and figures provided in this guide are only correct at the time of publication. This information will be updated as soon as there are any changes in the normal process.