How to Replace a Lost or Damaged Car Number Plate in the UAE?

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If you lose your car plate in Dubai, it’s a big challenge. Then you should know how to replace a lost car plate in Dubai really fast. It is also illegal to drive without a plate or with one plate only within the UAE and resulting in the imposition of a fine, black points, or vehicle impounding. Lacking plates also complicates the act of insuring the car in case of an accident, since technically the car is not in its entire legal state. If you ask How do I replace my lost number plate in Dubai, continue reading to find out.

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First Steps When Your Plate Goes Missing

If you have chosen a car from Shozon.com, then what to do if your number plate goes missing in Dubai? When you come to realize the plate is not there, pull over when it is safe and then make sure that the plate is lost, or it has been stolen. In case you lose it, the first official action would be to file a loss to the police before calling the RTA or other transport authority.

To report a lost plate in Dubai, you can use the Dubai Police App or site and provide a request for a Lost Item / Lost Plate Certificate, or go to a police station. You submit your Emirates ID, car description, and a brief description of the loss of the plate; the certificate normally takes approximately one day, and it incurs a small fee (approximately AED 70). Carry this certificate along with you, as it is important to use it to be given a new plate in case your plate is lost or stolen; however, it is not generally necessary in case your plate is merely damaged and is still with you.

RTA Steps to Replace a Lost Plate in Dubai

How to replace a lost car number plate in all Emirates? For replacing lost or damaged number plates in Dubai, the RTA takes measures to issue a replacement plate in the event of losing one.

Once the police certificate is obtained, you approach the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) to issue a new plate. This is possible on the internet at the RTA site/application in the vehicle licensing section, replace a lost or damaged plate, or you may visit an RTA Customer Happiness Centre or a vehicle testing centre such as Tasjeel.

In the process of application, you complete the service form, submit or hand over the necessary documents, and pay the fees. In online applications for a new number plate Dubai, you are then informed by an SMS or an app of where and when to pick the physical plates, whereas face-to-face applications usually print a new plate on the spot, which takes about 10 minutes. You may also want to read about how to transfer car ownership in Abu Dhabi.

Documents You Need in Dubai

Examples of typical documents to be used in a lost plate or damaged number plate replacement Sharjah include:

Original Emirates ID.
Lost item certificate or police report of Dubai Police for lost or stolen plates only.
Original certificate (Mulkiya) motor of the used car registration process in Dubai.
In case the car is owned by the company, a copy of the authorization letter and the trade licence of the company.

In the common case where the plate is merely damaged, and you still possess the damaged plate, the RTA will most likely request you to bring the damaged plate, rather than a police report.

Cost of a New or Replacement Plate in Dubai

How much for a new number plate in Dubai? The charge is divided into these categories:

Item / Aspect	Cost range / amount
Standard short Dubai plate	About AED 35–50.
Special / luxury design plate	About AED 50–500 (Dubai-branded or luxury styles).
Knowledge & Innovation fee	About AED 20, added only when the total service exceeds AED 50.
Premium / reserved numbers (optional)	From a few hundred dirhams to several thousand or more for very exclusive numbers.

Lost vs Damaged Plate in Dubai

The process is nearly similar, with only two important differences. In case of a damaged plate, you do not file a police report; instead, you hand in a damaged plate when applying; it will demonstrate that you still have the original and will minimize the chances of abuse. With a lost or stolen plate, the police report is compulsory, and you should be categorical whether you have lost one or both plates to be blocked by the system.

Other Emirates: Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and More

The general guideline across the UAE for number plate replacement Abu Dhabi and other areas is similar, where you must report the loss to the police, and then enquire with the local transport authority using your Emirates ID and registration card. However, every emirate has its own portals and fee structure, and the steps are slightly different. You should read about Abu Dhabi special vehicle plate rules.

Key Differences Across Emirates

To know how to replace a lost car plate in Dubai, you should know details about the different emirates:

Emirate	Main platform/authority	Police report needed for lost plate?	Typical replacement plate fee (standard)	Usual timeline
Dubai	RTA website/app, Customer Happiness Centres, Tasjeel-type centres	Yes, Lost Item Certificate from Dubai Police for lost/stolen plates	About AED 35 (short) or AED 50 (long), more for special plates, plus AED 20 knowledge & innovation if over AED 50	Often same day or within a few days depending on collection method
Abu Dhabi	TAMM portal or DMT / police service centres	Yes for lost plates, not usually for minor damage	Around AED 35 for basic replacement plus small government fees	A few business days or delivery after approval
Sharjah	Sharjah Police then vehicle licensing / machinery licensing department	Yes for lost or stolen plates	Around AED 70 for one plate, AED 120 for two plates, similar for motorcycles	Typically a few working days after application

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Conclusion

We investigated what to do if your number plate goes missing in Dubai. To sum up, it is easy to replace a lost or damaged car plate in Dubai and the other emirates. Just make sure to inform the authorities about the loss promptly and follow the formal procedures. You can save time by preparing your police report, Emirates ID, as well as registration card beforehand so that you do not get stuck driving without a license or paying fines you do not require.

FAQs

What should I do first if my car plate is missing in Dubai?
Leave the car and see whether the plate has fallen off somewhere around. In the event that you lose it, then report it to the police and get a replacement plate from the transport authority.
Can I drive in Dubai if only one plate is missing?
No, you must not drive with the missing front or rear plate since this is in violation of the traffic laws.
What documents do I usually need to replace a lost plate?
You will typically require your Emirates ID, vehicle registration card, and police loss report. In case the vehicle is owned by a company, an authorisation letter and a copy of a trade licence might also be required.
Is the process different for a damaged plate instead of a lost plate?
Yes, when the plate is broken, but is still in your possession, then you tend to surrender the old plate and do not necessarily require a police report. In case the plate is lost or stolen, you are normally supposed to be provided with a police report before replacing the plate.
Do other emirates like Abu Dhabi and Sharjah follow the same rules as Dubai?
The general procedure is the same in all the emirates: file the loss, make your papers, and request a replacement at the local office. Nevertheless, all emirates have their websites, offices and fee system.