How to transfer ownership of car in UAE?

This guide covers the covers everything about the transfer of ownership of car in UAE.

Documents Required for Transfer of Ownership of Car in UAE

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 Transfer of Ownership of car in UAE?

You can apply for transfer of ownership of car in UAE through the following channels.

• RTA Website

• Dubai Drive

• Customer Happiness Centre - Umm Ramool
• Customer Happiness Centre - Al Manarah
• Customer Happiness Centre - Al Twar
• Customer Happiness Centre - Deira
• Customer Happiness Centre - Al Barsha

• Al Qusais Tasjeel
• Barsha Tasjeel
• Al Warsan Tasjeel
• Jebel Ali Tasjeel
• Hatta Tasjeel
• Al Tawar cars testing
• Tasjeel Discovery Gardens
• Al Aweer Tasjeel
• Tasjeel City of Arabia
• Al Adheed Shamil
• Muhaisna Shamil
• Nad Al Hammar Shamil
• Shamil Al Qusais
• Al Mumayaz Vehicle Testing - Aswaaq Mizher
• Al Mumayaz Vehicle Testing - Al Barsha Mall
• Wasel Vehicle Testing - Al Jaddaf
• Wasel Vehicle Testing - Arabian Centre
• Wasel Vehicle Testing - Nad Al Hammar
• AG Cars Vehicle Testing Centre - Deira
• AG Cars Vehicle Testing - Al Mamzar
• Al Mutakamela Center - Al Aweer
• Al Mutakamela Center - Al Qouz
• Tamam Vehicle Testing
• Al Yalayis Vehicle Testing

How to apply online for Transfer of Ownership of car in UAE?

You can apply online through the RTA website or Dubai Drive smart app 

• Visit RTA website or Dubai Drive smart app
• 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.

Fees for Transfer of Ownership of Car in UAE

• 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 for Transfer of Ownership of Car in UAE

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

Terms and Conditions for Transfer of Ownership of Car in UAE

• 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.

• When applying for changing a vehicle ownership the customer must apply for registration, export, possession or transfer 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.