How to apply for changing vehicle ownership in Dubai?

Written By Gautham Krishna   | Updated on January 29, 2023



This service enables you to transfer the ownership of a vehicle from the owner (seller) and register it officially under the name of the buyer.

Eligibility Criteria to apply for changing vehicle ownership in Dubai

Individual customers, citizens and residents, and companies are eligible to apply for this service.

Documents Required to apply for changing vehicle ownership in Dubai

For individuals:

  1. From the seller: original Emirates ID (it can be replaced by a decree issued from the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs and the passport)

  2. From the buyer if he is a citizen or a GCC citizen: Valid original Emirates ID

  3. If the customer was a diplomat and wanted to change the ownership of the vehicle under his name, he must submit his Emirates ID and traffic file number. In case of changing the ownership under the consulate name, the customer must refer to the service centres and submit a letter from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

  4. Electronic redemption of the mortgage if the vehicle is under mortgage

  5. Vehicle technical inspection certificate if the buyer wants to register, transfer or export the vehicle

  6. Plate numbers if the seller desires to keep them

  7. Plate Lost Certificate from the Police if one or both plates are lost or if the motorcycle's plate is lost.

For companies:

  1. Official letter in Arabic

  2. Copy of the trade licence

  3. Endorsement of signature and Authorisation letter certified by the court

  4. Memorandum of Association for LLC companies

  5. Electronic redemption of the mortgage if the vehicle is under mortgage

  6. Vehicle technical inspection certificate if the buyer wants to register, transfer or export the vehicle

  7. NOC from the authorities of the Dubai Technology and Media Free Zone and Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA)

  8. Plate numbers if the seller desires to keep them

  9. Plate Lost Certificate from the Police if one or both plates are lost or if the motorcycle's plate is lost.

How to apply for changing vehicle ownership in Dubai?

Through RTA website or Dubai Drive smart app (individuals only)

  • The customer (seller) logs in though his UAE pass or through his account username and password on RTA website.

  • The customer applies for the service.

  • The customer’s (buyer’s) identity is verified through his UAE pass and registered phone number.

  • All parties sign the vehicle selling agreement.

  • The customer settles the required fees and the fines, if any.

  • The customer heads to the Customer Happiness Centre or the Vehicle Registration and Inspection Centre to submit the vehicle plates within 14 days from the fees settlement.

  • The buyer heads to the service centre to complete the vehicle registration process.

Through Customer Happiness Centres or Vehicle Registration and Inspection Centres

  • The customer heads to the front desk employee.

  • The employee sends a link to the customer.

  • The customer uploads the required documents through the link.

  • The customer receives the transaction code.

  • The customer submits the transaction code to the front desk employee to complete the service process, check and electronically sign the application.

  • The customer settles the required fees.

  • The customer heads to the service centre to submit the vehicle plate numbers.

  • The buyer heads to the service centre to complete the vehicle registration process.

Fees Required

  • 350 AED Light vehicle private/public

  • 400 AED private vehicle between 3 and 12 tonnes

  • 650 AED public vehicle between 3 and 12 tonnes

  • 800 AED private vehicle exceeding 12 tonnes

  • 1,000 AED public vehicle exceeding 12 tonnes

  • 500 AED private light mechanical equipment

  • 700 AED public light mechanical equipment

  • 800 AED private heavy mechanical equipment

  • 1,000 AED public heavy mechanical equipment

  • 120 AED trailer and semi-trailer

  • 300 AED bus with a number of passengers between 14 and 26

  • 600 AED bus with a number of passengers exceeding 26

  • 200 AED motorcycle

  • 50 AED selling agreement fee

  • 35 AED short plate fee

  • 50 AED long plate fee

  • 200 AED Dubai branded plate fee

  • 500 AED luxury plate fee

  • 10 AED expiry sticker fee

  • +20 AED Knowledge and Innovation fees.

Time Required

  • Through RTA website or smart app: Instantly.
  • Through Customer Happiness Centres or Vehicle Registration and Inspection Centres: 5 minutes.

Validity

  • This service has no validity.

Terms and Conditions

  • In case of a lost plate, the customer must apply for a lost plate(s) report according to the procedures followed by the Licensing Agency at RTA.

  • The customer or his legal representative must be present in person.

  • The customer must provide a selling agreement from an accredited showroom if the seller is not available.

  • The customer must pay all the traffic fines before receiving this service.

  • The customer must complete the transaction within 14 days from the date of transferring the vehicle ownership, otherwise it will be cancelled.

  • 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 number 21 of 1995 and its Executive Regulations and amendments.

  • To ensure the accuracy of the information when filling the selling agreement form, the selling transaction is considered void if any changes or amendments or deletion occurred to any part of the contract content after the contracting parties approve and sign the selling agreement.

  • The vehicle ownership is transferred to the buyer’s name after the seller submits the vehicle plates.

  • Customers who have a residence visa from another emirate must meet one the below conditions to register a vehicle:

    • The customer must be an investor in Dubai (property or facility owner).

    • The customer must be employed at a company that has a branch in Dubai.

    • The customer must be a resident in Dubai (the customer must present a ratified tenancy agreement by the Real Estate Regulatory Authority or ejari or must present a recent electricity or phone bill).

    • The customer must be employed at a governmental or semi-governmental agency or at a regional organisation that has an office in Dubai.

    • The customer must be an owner of a special plate number before 27 January 2007.

    • The customer must have an official letter from a university if he is a student in Dubai.

  • If the customer does not have a traffic file he must submit the below documents when applying for the service:

    • For citizens: Original Emirates ID

    • For residents with a residence visa issued in Dubai or another emirate: copy of the valid passport + copy of the residence visa + copy of the Emirates ID

    • For companies: Original trade licence of facilities and institutions + copy of the trade licence of companies licensed by Dubai Economy.

  • If the vehicle ownership was expired, the seller must pay a non-renewal fine.

FAQs

What are some common queries related to Dubai RTA?
You can find a list of common Dubai RTA queries and their answer in the link below.
Dubai RTA queries and its answers
Where can I get my queries related to Dubai RTA answered for free?
Tesz is a free-to-use platform for citizens to ask government-related queries. Questions are sent to a community of experts, departments and citizens to answer. You can ask the queries here.
Ask Question
What is the procedure if the vehicle's owner passed away? What are the documents required from his family to transfer the vehicle ownership and settle all the fines?
The customer must visit Dubai Court and get a letter along with a Death Certificate and all other documents provided by the court. After that, he must present all the documents at one of the Partners and Service Providers in Dubai to change the ownership. The request to change a vehicle ownership should be submitted by the court to the e-traffic system.
What is ownership e-card and what details it includes?
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 his phone to show it to concerned authorities when needed.
How can the customer print the ownership e-card or any other document in case he didn’t receive an email or he wanted to verify the vehicle details, renewal date and insurance details?
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.
What details are featured on the vehicle licence?
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.
How can the customer show the ownership e-card to the police patrols or officers, or the Licensing Department?
The customer shows the ownership e-card featured in RTA applications and saved on his phone, or the printed copy of the e-card.
What is required when crossing the borders to GCC or other countries?
To GCC countries: UAE and GCC Citizens: Hard copy of the vehicle licence Non-GCC Citizens: Hard copy of the vehicle licence, tourist certificate, and trip ticket To other countries: All customers: Hard copy of the vehicle licence, tourist certificate, and trip ticket.
How can the customer access the insurance details?
The insurance details are featured on the ownership e-card accessible through RTA smart application, or on the printed copy of the vehicle licence.
How can the customer access the mortgage details?
Mortgage details are featured on all the documents including the permanent ownership.
What happens when the ownership details are amended?
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’s licence.
In case the customer doesn’t have RTA application, can the vehicle licence be printed through the customer service centre?
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.
Is the customer obliged to replace the vehicle licence once the electronic ownership phase implemented?
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.
In case the transaction was completed and the customer did not receive a text message or e-mail with the vehicle licence, how does the customer know the expiry date of the ownership?
The customer can check his personal details though RTA Call Centre on 8009090, or print the ownership e-card through the Document Validation service, by selecting service type "Vehicle Licence" then entering the vehicle details to show the print order.
How can customer check the expiry date of their vehicle ownership?
The vehicle’s expiry date can be checked through the vehicle licence, or the SMS sent to the customer's mobile number.