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Apply for Changing a Vehicle Ownership

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, to perform an online sale and purchase agreement, to change the possession of a vehicle to a new owner, and to obtain an insurance refund certificate for a vehicle that has been disposed of.

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Eligibility
Citizens, residents, GCC nationals, companies, diplomatic bodies, and governmental entities are eligible to apply for this service.
Required documents

Citizens, GCC nationals, and residents

  1. Valid Emirates ID for the buyer and seller
  2. Electronic insurance
  3. Electronic technical inspection
  4. 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.
  5. Electronic mortgage release (if any).

Commercial companies

  1. Valid Trade Licence
  2. Letter from the company for the vehicle transfer and registration
  3. Emirates ID of the person authorised by the company owning the vehicle or his legal representative
  4. Memorandum of Association translated into Arabic (legalised translation)
  5. Electronic insurance
  6. Electronic technical inspection
  7. Electronic mortgage release (if any).

Companies (Free Zone)

  1. Valid Trade Licence
  2. Letter from the company for the vehicle transfer and registration
  3. Emirates ID of the person authorised by the company owning the vehicle or his legal representative
  4. Memorandum of Association translated into Arabic (legalised translation)
  5. Electronic insurance
  6. Electronic technical inspection
  7. NOC for ownership transfer from the Free Zone authority
  8. Electronic mortgage release (if any).

Local and federal governmental and semi-governmental entities

  1. Emirates ID of the authorised person
  2. Letter from the governmental entity owning the vehicle (stating the transfer and registration of the vehicle in the name of the new owner)
  3. Electronic mortgage release (if any)
  4. Electronic insurance
  5. Electronic technical inspection.

Diplomats

  1. Emirates ID
  2. Diplomatic card (in case the Emirates ID is not available)
  3. NOC from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (when registering a vehicle with consulate plates)
  4. NOC from the consulate stating the transfer and registration of the vehicle (if the diplomat is the buyer)
  5. Electronic insurance
  6. Electronic technical inspection
  7. Electronic mortgage release (if any).
Service fees

Changing a Vehicle Ownership

  • 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 sale and purchase agreement fee
  • 35 AED short plate fee
  • 50 AED long plate fee
  • 150 AED short classical plate fee
  • 150 AED long classical plate fee
  • 200 AED Dubai branded plate fee
  • 500 AED luxury plate fee
  • +20 AED Knowledge and Innovation fees
  • 20 AED to be paid by the dealerships to RTA through e-wallet account or credit card (online sale and purchase agreement)

Change of Vehicle Possession

  • Certificate fees: 100 AED
  • 50 AED sale and purchase agreement fees
  • +20 AED Knowledge and Innovation fees.
Process time
  • RTA website or smart app: Instantly
  • Customer Happiness Centres or Vehicle Registration and Inspection Centres: 5 minutes.
Process

Through RTA website

  1. The customer (seller) logs in to his account on RTA website using his username and password, or through UAE Pass.
  2. The customer selects Change Ownership from Vehicle Licensing Services, then selects the vehicle.
  3. The customer’s identity is verified through his UAE pass and registered phone number.
  4. The customer settles the fines, if any.
  5. The customer enters the personal information (buyer) and vehicle data and submits the application.
  6. The buyer receives a link to sign the sale and purchase agreement through SMS and email.
  7. After the buyer's signature, the seller receives a notification through SMS and email and signs the agreement.
  8. The buyer settles the required fees.
  9. The seller 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.
  10. The buyer heads to the service centre to complete the vehicle registration process.

Through Dubai Drive

  1. The customer (seller) logs in to his account on RTA website through username and password or through UAE Pass .
  2. The customer selects My Vehicles.
  3. The customer selects Change Vehicle Ownership.
  4. The customer’s identity is verified through his UAE pass and registered phone number.
  5. All parties sign the vehicle selling agreement.
  6. The customer settles the required fees and the fines, if any.
  7. 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.
  8. The buyer heads to the service centre to complete the vehicle registration process.

Through Dubai Now

  1. The customer (seller) logs in through his UAE Pass.
  2. The customer selects the service and the vehicle to be sold.
  3. The customer settles the fines, if any.
  4. The customer enters the buyer's Emirates ID number.
  5. The parties sign the vehicle ownership changing agreement.
  6. The buyer settles the fees.
  7. The buyer purchases the insurance through app.
  8. The buyer heads to the service centre for the vehicle inspection.
  9. The buyer registers the vehicle.

Through Customer Happiness Centres or Vehicle Registration and Inspection Centres

  1. The customer heads to the front desk employee.
  2. The employee sends a link to the customer.
  3. The customer uploads the required documents through the link.
  4. The customer receives the transaction code.
  5. The customer submits the transaction code to the front desk employee to complete the service process, check and electronically sign the application.
  6. The customer settles the required fees.
  7. The customer hands over the vehicle plates.
  8. The buyer heads to the service centre to complete the vehicle registration process.
Average waiting time
  • RTA website or Smart App: instantly
  • Customer Happiness Centres or Vehicle Registration and Inspection Centres: 10 minutes.
Validity
  • 14 days to change ownership after the sale and purchase agreement.
What you will get

Changing the vehicle ownership (agreement for the sale and purchase of the vehicle).
Terms and conditions
  • If the sale and purchase agreement is issued electronically from a dealership or showroom which are the mediator in the agreement, the showroom or dealership representative and the buyer or their legal representatives must be present. In case the showroom is the vehicle owner, the buyer or his legal representative must be present.
  • If the customer is a GCC national who wants to register his vehicle and is unable to provide an Emirates ID, he must provide a document proving that he is working in Dubai for a governmental or semi-governmental entity or that he is a property owner, investor, or student in Dubai.
  • Transactions for Free Zones Jafza, Dubai Media City and Dubai Airport are processed in the Jebel Ali service centre.
  • Jebel Ali Free Zone transactions are processed at Jebel Ali centre only.
  • Required contracts according to the legal type:
    • Sole Proprietorship: no Memorandum of Association required
    • Service agent: no Service Agent Contract required
    • Limited Liability Company: Memorandum of Association
    • Single-Owner L.L.C.: Memorandum of Association
    • Civil Company: Memorandum of Association of civil company
    • General Partnership: Memorandum of Association of a joint venture
    • Public Joint Stock Company: Memorandum of Association
    • Private Joint Stock Company: Memorandum of Association.
  • If the company is the Dubai branch of a parent company in another emirate, the customer must provide the Memorandum of Association of the parent company.
  • All powers of attorney issued outside the UAE must be ratified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
  • If the plates of the registered vehicle are consulate plates, the customer must provide an NOC from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and contact the Customer Happiness Centre - Deira.
  • In case the customer is a resident outside Dubai, he must be an investor, partner, manager, or owner of a facility in Dubai (Trade Licence), or an owner of a final contract or a lease agreement (the contract must be endorsed by the Land Department (Ejari)), or he must work in a company which has a branch in Dubai, or he must be an owner of a special plate number since before 27/01/2007 or which was bought in an auction (direct purchase).
  • 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 must provide a sale and purchase 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 sale and purchase 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 agreement.
  • The vehicle ownership is transferred to the buyer’s name after the seller submits the vehicle plates.
  • If the customer does not have a traffic file he must submit the below documents when applying for the service:
    • For citizens: 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: trade licence of facilities and institutions + copy of the trade licence of companies licensed by Dubai Economy and Tourism.
  • If the vehicle ownership is expired, the seller must pay a non-renewal fine.
  • On Sundays, Al Yalayis Vehicle Testing and Muhaisna Shamil centres only provide inspection services.
  • The online sale and purchase system allows customers to conclude selling agreements between individuals and companies as follows:
    • Between individuals
    • Between an individual and an institution or company
    • Between the showroom or dealership, owner of the system, and an individual or commercial company.
  • The validity of the online sale and purchase agreement is 14 days from its issuance date. If the agreement exceeds the mentioned period, it is considered cancelled by virtue of the provisions of the traffic law.
  • If the showroom is a mediator in the sale and purchase agreement, the presence of the buyer and seller in the showroom must be proved through the Emirates ID, stamping, and signature of the online sale and purchase agreement. When completing the transaction in the service centre, the showroom representative and the buyer or their legal representatives must be present to complete the remaining procedures.
  • If the showroom is the vehicle owner in the sale and purchase agreement, the presence of the person authorised by the company and seller in the showroom must be proved through the Emirates ID, stamping, and signature of the online sale and purchase agreement. When completing the transaction in the service centre, the buyer or his legal representative must be present to complete the remaining procedures.
  • The vehicle owner or his legal representative must be present, with the power of attorney stipulating “sale and disposal of vehicles”.
  • The customer must perform any licensing transaction within 14 days to prevent any penalties and fines.
  • The customer must pay all traffic fines (Dubai and other emirates fines) before receiving this service.
  • If the vehicle is mortgaged, the customer must apply online and release the mortgage before receiving this service.
FAQs
  • Question 1: What is the procedure if the vehicle's owner passes away? What are the documents required from his family to transfer the vehicle ownership and settle all the fines?

Answer 1: 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.

  • Question 2: What is ownership e-card and what details it includes?

Answer 2: 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 relevant authorities when needed.

  • Question 3: How can the customer print the ownership e-card or any other document in case he doesn't receive an email or he wants to verify the vehicle details, renewal date and insurance details?

Answer 3: 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.

  • Question 4: What details are featured on the vehicle licence?

Answer 4: 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.

  • Question 5: How can the customer show the ownership e-card to the police patrols or officers, or the Licensing Department?

Answer 5: The customer shows the ownership e-card featured in RTA applications and saved on his phone, or the printed copy of the e-card.

  • Question 6: What is required when crossing the borders to GCC or other countries?

Answer 6:

    • 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.
  • Question 7: How can the customer access the insurance details?

Answer 7: The insurance details are featured on the ownership e-card accessible through RTA smart application, or on the printed copy of the vehicle licence.

  • Question 8: How can the customer access the mortgage details?

Answer 8: Mortgage details are featured on all the documents including the permanent ownership.

  • Question 9: What happens when the ownership details are amended?

Answer 9: 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.

  • Question 10: In case the customer doesn’t have RTA application, can the vehicle licence be printed through the customer service centre?

Answer 10: 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.

  • Question 11: Is the customer obliged to replace the vehicle licence once the electronic ownership phase implemented?

Answer 11: 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.

  • Question 12: 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?

Answer 12: 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.

  • Question 13: How can customer check the expiry date of their vehicle ownership?

Answer 13: The vehicle’s expiry date can be checked through the vehicle licence, or the SMS sent to the customer's mobile number.

  • Question 14: If the customer has a Dubai right-hand drive vehicle, can he change the vehicle ownership?

Answer 14: No, he cannot change the vehicle ownership. He can only renew ownership if the vehicle is registered.

  • Question 15: Who is the concerned person who should go to the centre on behalf of the political and diplomatic bodies?

Answer 15: The official commissioner or authorised person should go to the centre on behalf of the political or diplomatic body.

  • Question 16: What is an online sale and purchase agreement?

Answer 16: It's a contract between 2 parties, approving the presence of the seller and the buyer in the authorised showrooms. It is an alternative to the traditional agreements.

  • Question 17: What will happen to the traditional sale and purchase agreement?

Answer 17: It will be cancelled totally and will not be accepted in the service centres.

  • Question 18: What are the characteristics of the electronic sale and purchase agreement?

Answer 18:

    • It guarantees the rights of the seller and the buyer.
    • It protects the seller from transferring the ownership of the vehicle or his plate without his knowledge since the transaction requires the presence of both parties when executing the sale and purchase agreement. It also requires verifying their Emirates IDs through the card reader.
    • The seller has no right to use the vehicle after signing the electronic sale and purchase agreement.
    • It enables the use of the Emirates ID as one of the most important identification documents in the UAE.
    • Keeping records of the transfer history of the vehicle or plate ownership, especially when querying about the previous transfer transactions of the vehicle or the plate.
    • It gives access to records and statistics of sale and purchase agreements executed in the showrooms, which wasn't possible with paper agreements.
    • Automatic cancellation of the sale and purchase agreement if it expires before the buyer has completed the required transaction following the agreement.
    • Registering the traffic fines (Dubai or other emirates fines) under the buyer's name from the day he signs the sale and purchase agreement.


  • Question 19: Is there a smart card reader provided to showrooms?

Answer 19: Yes, all authorised showrooms are provided with a smart card reader.

  • Question 20: Are the showrooms trained on how to use the sale and purchase system?

Answer 20: Yes, a workshop was held in the showrooms after signing the agreement.

  • Question 21: Should both the buyer and seller pay all the traffic file fines when applying for issuing a vehicle possession certificate in the name of third party?

Answer 21: No, only the buyer pays all the fines issued in Dubai.

  • Question 22: Is vehicle inspection required when transferring vehicle possession from an insurance company to another customer?

Answer 22: Yes, vehicle inspection is required.
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