Transfer Vehicle Ownership in Dubai: Update Registration Information

You need to update registration information when selling a used car or other vehicle in Dubai. When an individual sells a used vehicle in Dubai, they need to transfer vehicle ownership to the buyer before the buyer starts using the vehicle on roads.

To make this complicated procedure simple for you, I am going to provide a complete guide about how to transfer a vehicle ownership online and in-person in Dubai.

Required Documents for Transfer Vehicle Ownership

In order to transfer ownership of a vehicle, you must have all required documents. The list of required documents is different for citizens, GCC nationals, residents, companies and other categories of people/establishments.

For Citizens and GCC Nationals:

• Original Emirates ID of the buyer and the seller
• Electronic Insurance
• Electronic Technical Inspection
• A document proving that the vehicle is compliant with the Gulf Specifications (Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology – Conformity Sector) if the vehicle is not compliant on the customs card

For Residents:

• Original Emirates ID of the buyer and the seller
• Electronic Insurance
• Electronic Technical Inspection

For Commercial Companies:

• Valid Trade License
• Electronic Insurance
• Electronic Technical Inspection
• Letter from the company for the vehicle transfer and registration
• Original Emirates ID of the person authorized by the company owning the vehicle or his legal representative
• Original Emirates ID of the buyer or his legal representative
• Memorandum of Association translated into Arabic (legalized translation)

For Free Zone Companies:

• Valid Trade License
• Electronic Insurance
• Electronic Technical Inspection
• Letter from the company for the vehicle transfer and registration
• Original Emirates ID of the person authorized by the company owning the vehicle or his legal representative
• Original Emirates ID of the buyer or his legal representative
• Memorandum of Association translated into Arabic (legalized translation)
• NOC for ownership transfer from the Free Zone Authority

For Local, Federal and Semi-governmental Entities:

• Original Emirates ID of the authorized person
• Electronic Mortgage Release (if any)
• Electronic Insurance
• Electronic Technical Inspection
• Letter from the governmental entity owning the vehicle (stating the transfer and registration of the vehicle in the name of the new owner)

For Diplomats:

• Original Emirates ID
• Electronic Insurance
• Electronic Technical Inspection
• Original Diplomatic Card (in case the original Emirates ID is not available)
• NOC from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (when registering a vehicle with consulate plates)
• NOC from the consulate stating the transfer and registration of the vehicle (if the diplomat is the buyer)

5 Ways to Transfer Vehicle Ownership Dubai

There are five different methods for Transfer Vehicle Ownership in Dubai. Out of 5 methods, there are 3 online methods and 2 offline methods. You can check the details here;

1. At RTA Dubai Website
2. Via Dubai Drive Mobile App
3. Via DubaiNow Mobile App
4. At RTA Customer Happiness Centers
5. At Vehicle Registration and Inspection Centers

Please note that both the vehicle seller and the buyer must be present at the time of doing RTA Vehicle Ownership Transfer Process Online or Offline/In-person.

Let me explain each method to help you understand how to apply for a vehicle ownership transfer online and offline in Dubai.

#1. Transfer Vehicle Ownership at RTA Website

The Vehicle Ownership Transfer Service is available online at RTA Dubai web portal. Go through the step-by-step process given here to apply online to change vehicle ownership at RTA website.

Step 1: Go to RTA Dubai Website Portal

First of all, the customer (seller) needs to visit the RTA Dubai official website @www.rta.ae. Click this link to directly open RTA web portal on your device.

Step 2: Customer (Vehicle Seller) Login to RTA Portal

Click on Login option on upper right side of the homepage and select Individual/Company option.

Now, the vehicle seller has to login to RTA website by entering the Username & Password or by choosing Sign in with UAE PASS option.

Step 3: Select Change Ownership in Vehicle Licensing Services

Find out Driver and Car Owner section, select it and choose Vehicle Licensing Services. Then the seller needs to click on Change Ownership option to continue.

Step 4: Verify Vehicle Buyer’s Identity via UAE PASS

Now, the customer (seller) should verify the buyer’s identity through UAE PASS and OTP sent on buyer’s registered mobile number.

The seller has to enter buyer’s Emirates ID Number and allow access from the UAE PASS app on his/her mobile phone. Thereafter enter buyer’s mobile number and verify it with an OTP code.

Step 5: Seller and Buyer Sign the Selling Agreement

Now, the seller and the buyer are required to sign the vehicle selling agreement online. To sign the selling agreement, kindly follow the on-screen instructions.

Step 6: Customer (Seller) Pay the Fees and Fines

Finally, the customer (seller) has to pay the service fees for vehicle ownership transfer plus knowledge & innovation fee as per rules. The fees can be paid online via credit cards and other methods.

The seller has to pay the fines if there are any pending fines on the vehicle. As per RTA Rules, the seller must settle all pending fines before transferring vehicle ownership to the buyer.

After paying the fees (as applicable) and fines (if any), the online process for vehicle ownership transfer is over but the seller has to hand over vehicle plates to the RTA Dubai.

• Within 14 days from payment of fees, the seller has to visit the RTA Customer Happiness Center or Vehicle Registration and Inspection Center to submit the vehicle plates.
• After the seller submits the vehicle plates, the buyer has to visit the service center to complete the vehicle registration process.

#2. Transfer Vehicle Ownership via Dubai Drive App

You can login to Dubai Drive App using your RTA website login credentials. So, you can enter your RTA username and password or choose UAE PASS to sign in to Dubai Drive App to apply for vehicle ownership transfer online.

Get Dubai Drive App on Android or iPhone/iPad or Huawei

1. The seller should open Dubai Drive App on his/her mobile phone.
2. Login with RTA username & password or choose Login with UAE PASS.
3. Go to My Vehicles section and select Change Vehicle Ownership option for the relevant vehicle.
4. The seller should verify the buyer’s identity with UAE PASS and registered mobile number.
5. Both the seller and the buyer need to sign the vehicle selling agreement online.
6. The seller has to pay the service fees and pending fines.
7. The seller must visit the RTA Customer Happiness Center or Vehicle Registration and Inspection Center to submit vehicle plates within 14 days from fees payment.
8. The buyer must visit the service center to complete vehicle registration process.

#3. Transfer Vehicle Ownership via DubaiNow App

The DubaiNow App offers access to all government services to citizens and residents. The vehicle ownership transfer online service is also available in DubaiNow App, so you can use it to apply for transferring your car ownership to the buyer online from your mobile device.

Get DubaiNow App for Android or iPhone

1. The seller must open DubaiNow App on his/her mobile device.
2. Login to DubaiNow App.
3. Select Change Vehicle Ownership under Vehicle Services.
4. Choose the vehicle to sell, if there are multiple vehicles.
5. The seller should pay the pending fines, if any.
6. The seller should enter the buyer’s Emirates ID Number to add him/her in the process.
7. Both the parties (seller and buyer) need to sign the vehicle selling agreement online.
8. The buyer has to pay services fees and purchase vehicle insurance through the app (DubaiNow).
9. The buyer must visit the service center for vehicle inspection and vehicle registration.

The application process to change vehicle ownership through DubaiNow App is a bit different from RTA website and Dubai Drive App. You can use the 9 steps shared above to transfer ownership of your vehicle through Dubai Now App on your mobile.

#4. Transfer Vehicle Ownership at RTA Customer Happiness Center

The Roads & Transport Authority has six Customer Happiness Centers. All service centers are situated at different locations in Dubai such as Al Barsha, Deira, Umm Ramool and other places.

The seller and the buyer can visit one of the RTA Customer Happiness Centers to apply for vehicle ownership transfer service.

Service Center Name & Location	Service Center Address
RTA Customer Happiness Center – Al Barsha	Dubai Police Traffic Building, Sheikh Zayed Road, Al Quoz, Al Quoz Industrial Area 3, Dubai, United Arab EmiratesContact: 800 90 90
RTA Customer Happiness Center – Al Kifaf	Al Kifaf Center Near Zabeel Park, Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Street, Za’abeel, Al Kifaf, Dubai, United Arab EmiratesContact: 800 90 90
RTA Customer Happiness Center – Al Manarah	Dubai Municipality, Al Manara Center, Sheikh Zayed Road Near Noor Bank Metro Station, Dubai, United Arab EmiratesContact: 800 90 90
RTA Customer Happiness Center – Al Twar	1st Floor, Al Twar Centre, Al Nahda Street, Next to Ministry of Education, Dubai, United Arab EmiratesContact: 800 90 90
RTA Customer Happiness Center – Deira	Behind Dubai Traffic Court, Al Quds Street, Al Twar, Al Twar 1, Dubai, United Arab EmiratesContact: 800 90 90
RTA Customer Happiness Center – Umm Ramool	Marrakech Street, Umm Al Ramool, Opposite Emirates Metro Station, Umm Ramool, Dubai, United Arab EmiratesContact: 800 90 90

Kindly follow the steps given below to visit a nearby RTA Customer Happiness Center to apply for vehicle ownership transfer service.

1. The seller should visit an RTA Customer Happiness Center.
2. The seller should ask the front desk employee to share a link for vehicle ownership transfer service.
3. As the employee sends a link, the seller should open the link and upload all required documents.
4. The seller will receive a transaction code that s/he has to submit to the employee to process it further.
5. The seller should check and sign the application online.
6. The seller has to pay the service fees as per rules.
7. The seller should hand over the vehicle plates to the employee.
8. The buyer needs to visit the service center to complete the vehicle registration process.

#5. Transfer Vehicle Ownership at Vehicle Registration and Inspection Centers

There are 24 RTA approved vehicle registration and inspection centers in Dubai. These service centers provide vehicle registration, renewal and many more services including the ownership transfer service.

So, the seller and the buyer can go to one of the Vehicle Registration and Inspection Centers to apply for vehicle ownership transfer service.

Vehicle Registration and Inspection Center Name & Location	Service Center Address
Al Qusais Tasjeel	Beirut Street, Al Qusais Industrial Area 5, Toward Sharjah
Barsha Tasjeel	Shk. Zayed Road toward Abu Dhabi, Behind Bur Dubai Traffic dept. in Barsha, Opposite to Lulu Hypermarket
Al Warsan Tasjeel	Al Manama Road toward Shk. Mohammad bin Zayed road, Opposite to Academic City Road
Jebel Ali Tasjeel	Shk. Zayed Road toward Abu Dhabi, Jafza, Gate No.4
Hatta Tasjeel	Hatta – Oman road, Opposite to NHRD in Hatta, Before the roundabout of Emirates Co-op Society
Tasjeel Discovery Gardens	Discovery Garden, Street Number 6 near Discovery Pavillion
Tasjeel City of Arabia	City of Arabia, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Street
Al Adheed Shamil	Shk. Rashid Road toward Al Mankhool Road, Opposite to International Modern Hospital
Muhaisna Shamil	Beirut Road toward Sharjah
Nad Al Hammar Shamil	Nad Al Hamar toward Ras Al Khour Industrial Area before Airport Tunnel
Shamil Al Qusais	Baghdad street, behind Emarat Central Workshop
Al Mumayaz Vehicle Testing – Aswaaq Mizher	Sheikh Zayed Road to the Direction of Abu Dhabi, the Entrance of Services to Safa Area, next to Safa Health Center
Al Mumayaz Vehicle Testing – Al Barsha Mall	Barsha Street, behind Al Barsha Health Center
Wasel Vehicle Testing – Al Jaddaf	Al Khail road toward Oud Maitha road , opposite to Jaddaf Dubai
Wasel Vehicle Testing – Arabian Centre	Al Khawaneej Road toward Algeria Road Intersection
Wasel Vehicle Testing – Nad Al Hammar	Nad Al Hamar toward Ras Al Khour Industrial Area before Airport Tunnel
AG Cars Vehicle Testing Centre – Deira	Abu Bakr Siddiq street toward Intersection of Viewings, Wheel Services Street No. 8
AG Cars Vehicle Testing – Al Mamzar	Al Mamzar , street 44
Al Mutakamela Center – Al Aweer	Ras Al Khor Industrial Area, Ras Al Khor Industrial Area – 3 – Dubai
Al Mutakamela Center – Al Quoz	Al Qouz Industrial Area 2, Al Khail Road, Zomord Street
Tamam Vehicle Testing	Al Khail Road toward Dragon Mart – before Ras Al Kour Industrial Bridge
Al Yalayis Vehicle Testing	Dubai Investments park
Tajdeed Vehicle Testing	Al Ruwayyah (3), near to Dubai Government workshop
Quick Registration Vehicle Testing Centre – Seih Shuaib	2 Al Fayah Truck Rd – Seih Shuaib – Dubai Industrial City

Please go through the following steps to apply for vehicle ownership transfer at a vehicle registration and inspection center.

1. The seller should go to a nearby Vehicle Registration and Inspection Center.
2. The seller should ask the front desk employee to share a link for vehicle ownership transfer service.
3. The seller should open the link and upload required documents to generate a unique transaction code.
4. The seller must submit the transaction code to the front desk employee.
5. The seller needs to check the application and sign it digitally.
6. The seller has to pay the service fees.
7. The seller should hand over the vehicle plates to the employee.
8. The buyer must visit the service center to complete the vehicle registration process.

Transfer Vehicle Ownership Fees

The RTA Dubai charges service fees for vehicle ownership transfer based on the type of vehicle and its weight. To transfer the ownership of your vehicle at the time of selling, you need to pay the service fees as under;

Vehicle Type	Ownership Transfer Fees
Light Vehicle Private or Public	350 AED
Private Vehicle Between 3 And 12 Tonnes	400 AED
Public Vehicle Between 3 And 12 Tonnes	650 AED
Private Vehicle Exceeding 12 Tonnes	800 AED
Public Vehicle Exceeding 12 Tonnes	1,000 AED
Private Light Mechanical Equipment	500 AED
Public Light Mechanical Equipment	700 AED
Private Heavy Mechanical Equipment	800 AED
Public Heavy Mechanical Equipment	1,000 AED
Trailer and Semi-Trailer	120 AED
Bus With A Number of Passengers Between 14 and 26	300 AED
Bus with A Number of Passengers Exceeding 26	600 AED
Motorcycle	200 AED
Selling Agreement Fee	50 AED
Short Plate Fee	35 AED
Long Plate Fee	50 AED
Short Classical Plate Fee	150 AED
Long Classical Plate Fee	150 AED
Dubai Branded Plate Fee	200 AED
Luxury Plate Fee	500 AED

In addition to the fees mentioned above, you must pay the Knowledge and Innovation Fees as under;

• Knowledge and Innovation Fees: AED 20

Transfer Vehicle Ownership Waiting Time

As I explained above, you can apply for vehicle ownership transfer online or in-person using various service channels. The average waiting time details are as follow;

• At RTA Dubai Website: Instantly (No Waiting Time)
• Through Dubai Drive App or DubaiNow App: Instantly (No Waiting Time)
• At RTA Customer Happiness Centers: 10 Minutes
• At Vehicle Registration and Inspection Centers: 10 Minutes

Transfer Vehicle Ownership Process Time

When apply for vehicle ownership transfer in Dubai, the RTA takes some time to process your request. Further details are given as follows;

• At RTA Dubai Website: Instantly
• Via Dubai Drive App or DubaiNow App: Instantly
• At RTA Customer Happiness Centers: 5 Minutes
• At Vehicle Registration and Inspection Centers: 5 Minutes

RTA Customer Care

The Roads & Transport Authority has a dedicated customer service department. If you have a query about how to change your vehicle ownership in Dubai, you can contact RTA Customer Care via following number(s) and email.

• RTA Customer Care Number: 800 90 90
• RTA Customer Care Number for Overseas Callers: +97142844444
• RTA Customer Care Email: [email protected]
• RTA WhatsApp Number: +971 5 88009090

Summary:

The Roads & Transport Authority provides vehicle ownership transfer service for all Dubai residents, citizens and companies. I have explained all important information about how to apply for vehicle ownership transfer online and offline in Dubai.

I have shared eligibility and required documents plus fees details to apply to change vehicle ownership. If you still have a question, you can ask it in the comment box and expect a reply in next 24-48 hours.

FAQs