How to Transfer Vehicle Ownership in UAE - Process, Documents, Fees

The ownership transfer process involves verifying documents, clearing outstanding fines, and obtaining new insurance. Both buyers and sellers must follow specific procedures at authorised registration centers. Familiarising yourself with the correct steps and requirements can help complete the transfer smoothly and avoid delays.

This guide outlines everything you need to know about how to transfer car ownership in Dubai, including essential documents, fees, and important regulations.

Table of Content

Car Ownership Transfer in UAE – Steps to Follow
How to Transfer Car Ownership in Dubai Online ?
How to Transfer Car Ownership in Dubai, Offline ?
Documents Required for Vehicle Transfer Ownership in Dubai, UAE
New Registration After Vehicle Ownership Transfer in UAE
In Case the Seller and the Buyer Belong to the Different Emirates
How to Transfer Car Ownership in Abu Dhabi to Dubai
Car Ownership Transfer Fees in Dubai (UAE)
Terms and Conditions for Transferring Car Ownership In UAE
What Policybazaar.ae Has to Say?
Car Ownership Transfer Process in Other Emirates of UAE
Know More About Car Insurance
FAQ's

*Above mentioned prices are for Honda City EX 1.5L, 2017 model.

Car Ownership Transfer in UAE – Steps to Follow

There are few steps involved in the process of vehicle ownership transfer in Dubai and UAE. Most of these steps include the clearance of any prevailing fines and dues against the vehicle, along with obtaining required certificates and documents. Each of these steps is extremely important, so make sure you note them carefully. Following are the steps you need to follow when initiating a vehicle ownership transfer in UAE:

Step1- Clear All Your Salik or Traffic Fines - Did you know that any pending fines can hinder your vehicle registration transfer procedure? There shouldn’t be any fines associated with your car plate number. This is why you must clear all the unpaid dues before even planning to sell your car. So, if you haven’t done it yet, get them cleared at any police station nearby. You can easily clear your fines online as well.
Step2- Bank Clearance Documents - If the previous owner took a car loan, then it should be cleared by them before they initiate a vehicle registration transfer. After the loan has been cleared, a final payment certificate proof must be generated for the vehicle ownership transfer. If the new owner has agreed to have the loan transferred to them instead, the current owner must obtain a release letter or, a no-objection certificate (NOC) from the bank to transfer the loan to the buyer. So, no matter if you are a buyer or a seller, check if you require NOC from the bank.
Step3- Have the Car Tested - You will need to get a pass report once your car is tested at the registration centre. It is not a time-consuming process and it costs only 150 Dirhams in Dubai. Also, remove and hand over the number plate of your car at the registration counter if a new number for the car is wanted. Make sure that you choose one of the approved test centres for the damage test of the car.

How to Transfer Car Ownership in Dubai Online ?

Check out the step-by-step guides for online process below -

Step1- Visit the official website of RTA and log into your account.
Step2- Upload the mandatory documents as mentioned on the website.
Step3- Fill out the vehicle ownership transfer form correctly without any error.
Step4- Submit the form and make the required payment.
Step5- Receive the vehicle registration card once the payment is successful.

How to Transfer Car Ownership in Dubai, Offline ?

Check out the step-by-step guides for offline process below -

Step1- Visit your nearest RTA department office.
Step2- Get a car ownership transfer form and fill it out with accurate details.
Step3- Submit the required documents along with the filled form.
Step4- Make the payment and get the vehicle registration card.

Documents Required for Vehicle Transfer Ownership in Dubai, UAE

Unlike the common belief, document requirements for individuals and companies differ when it comes to transferring car ownership in Dubai. This is why to make the whole process of car ownership transfer smooth, you should know all the necessary paperwork required. Below is the list of documents required for car ownership transfer in Dubai –

For Individuals —

For sellers, they must present the original Emirates ID. If unavailable, a GDRFA decree and passport can be used as a replacement
For buyers –
- UAE and GCC residents should provide the original Emirates ID
- Diplomats should provide a valid diplomatic card and the traffic file number. To transfer the ownership under the consulate name requires a letter from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
  - Original and a photocopy of the residence visa and passport
  - The official notification for adding or removing the car loan at the bank, if the vehicle is still under a loan
  - Vehicle’s technical inspection report, a pass report from Tasjeel
  - Police report, if the vehicle plate from either side is lost
  - Plate number should be delivered to the seller if they wish to keep them

For Companies —

Official letter in Arabic
Memorandum of Association for LLC companies
Adding or removing the mortgage at the bank, if the vehicle is still under a loan
No Objection Certificate from the relevant authorities at Jebel Ali Free Zone, Dubai Technology, and Media Free Zone (if applicable)
Police report, if one of the number plates was lost
Trade licence copy
Endorsement of signature and authorisation letter
Technical inspection certificate
Plate number should be delivered to the seller if they wish to keep them

RTA/Driving License
Roads and Transport Authority (RTA)	Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) Dubai
Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) Sharjah	Transfer Car Registration
Driving License UAE	Driving License in Dubai
How to Renew Mulkiya in Abu Dhabi?

New Registration After Vehicle Ownership Transfer in UAE

Once the vehicle registration transfer is done, the buyer will get the new number plate and new registration card for the car. The cost of vehicle ownership transfer is AED 350, and the new number plate between is AED 35 to AED 500, depending on the size and type of the plate. Small car number plates can be obtained for AED 35, long for AED 50, Dubai branded car plates for AED 200 and luxury car plates for AED 500. You will receive the following documents after a successful car ownership transfer in UAE:

The new registration card and documents
Expiration sticker for the current registration (to be pasted on the rear number plate of the car)
New car plate
Vehicle ownership certificate

In Case the Seller and the Buyer Belong to the Different Emirates

If you and the new buyer/old owner of the car belong to different Emirates, the procedure of car ownership transfer may vary. As you already know, there are two traffic systems that are followed in our country- the Federal system and the independent system. The Federal system is followed by all the emirates in the UAE, whereas in Dubai, the independent system is followed.

How to Transfer Car Ownership in Abu Dhabi to Dubai

The process of vehicle ownership transfer from abu dhabi to dubai is basically the same but with a few additional steps involved:

If the vehicle is registered with Dubai (or any other emirate) and the ownership needs to be transferred to another emirate, let’s say Abu Dhabi, it has to be un-registered from Dubai first.
Before un-registration of the vehicle, all the fines must be paid along with any outstanding loan. Or the current owner must obtain NOC for transfer of the loan from the bank.
After the removal of the vehicle from the records of Dubai, it will be marked for ‘export’.
You will get the vehicle transferred in a towing truck from Dubai to Abu Dhabi (or any other two emirates) as you cannot drive an unregistered vehicle.
Once the vehicle has reached your emirate, you can have it registered there.
Buy a new insurance policy for the car registered in your emirate now, and the vehicle registration transfer process will be complete.

Car Ownership Transfer Fees in Dubai (UAE)

The car ownership fee in Dubai varies from vehicle to vehicle for new car owners. Here is a list of car ownership transfer fee for different types of vehicles.

Types of Vehicles	Car Ownership Transfer Fee
Light vehicle private or public	AED 350
Public vehicle between 3 and 12 tonnes	AED 650
Other vehicles between 3 and 12 tonnes	AED 400
Public vehicle exceeding 12 tonnes	AED 1,000
Vehicle exceeding 12 tonnes	AED 800
Light mechanical equipment	AED 500
Public light mechanical equipment	AED 700
Public heavy mechanical equipment	AED 1,000
Heavy mechanical equipment	AED 800
Trailer and semi-trailer	AED 120
Bus with a number of passengers between 14 and 26	AED 300
Bus with a number of passengers exceeding 26	AED 600
Motorcycle	AED 200
Selling agreement	AED 50

Terms and Conditions for Transferring Car Ownership In UAE

While the process of transferring vehicle ownership in Dubai appears to be easy, there are some underlying terms and conditions linked to it. Therefore, for a smooth ownership transition, we have listed some major terms and conditions for your convenience.

General Requirements —

The buyer or their legal representative must be present to apply
The buyer must provide a letter from an accredited showroom if the seller is unavailable
All outstanding traffic fines must be paid before proceeding
The buyer must pay the ownership transfer fee
The buyer needs to apply for registration, possession, export, or transfer service when they apply for car ownership transfer

For Non-Dubai Residence Visa Holders —

To register a vehicle in Dubai, the buyer must meet one of these conditions:
Owns property or a business in Dubai (for investors)
Works for a company with a Dubai branch
Lives in Dubai (proof required: tenancy contract, electricity, or phone bill) (for a resident)
Works for a government, semi-government, or regional organisation in Dubai
Is a student in Dubai with an official letter from the university

Additional Documents (If No Traffic File Exists) —

UAE citizens – Original Emirates ID
Dubai & other Emirates residents – Residence visa, passport copy, and Emirates ID copy
Businesses/Institutions – Original commercial licence. If licensed by the Department of Economic Development, a copy of the licence is required

What Policybazaar.ae Has to Say?

No matter from where you buy the used car, make sure that you fulfil all the requirements. This also includes getting used car insurance. The insurance is essential to get the new Mulkiya. For the best car insurance in UAE, go no further than Policybazaar.ae! We have the top comprehensive insurance plans from the leading providers in the UAE.

Car Ownership Transfer Process in Other Emirates of UAE

How to Transfer Car Ownership in Abu Dhabi

How to Transfer Car Ownership in Ras Al Khaimah

How to Transfer Car Ownership in Ajman

How to Transfer Car Ownership in Sharjah

Conclusion

So, the next time you plan to sell your car or buy a second-hand vehicle in the UAE, make sure that you take care of the above-mentioned pointers for a safe deal. Strategic planning can never go amiss; in fact, it can only help in making the process seamless and hassle-free.

How to Transfer Car Registration From Sharjah to Dubai?

How to Transfer Car Insurance from One Person to Another

How to Transfer Car Registration from Dubai to Abu Dhabi?

Know More About Car Insurance

FAQ's

The list of main documents includes — Emirates ID, a copy of passport, buyer’s and seller’s driver’s licence, Mulkiya, new vehicle insurance contract in the buyer’s name, residence visa, and vehicle’s technical inspection certificate.

You can transfer car ownership in any UAE state, including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and others, for around AED 400. To complete the process, prepare the necessary documents, such as -

Car registration card
New vehicle insurance in the buyer’s name
Copy of residence visa
Vehicle technical inspection certificate

Submit these documents at the designated registration centers to finalise the transfer.

The buyer would need to pay a car ownership transfer fee of AED 400. There is an additional innovation and knowledge fee of AED 20.

The car ownership transfer fee in UAE is solely paid by the buyer. So, before the seller sells the car, they should ask for evidence that the buyer has finished all the required tasks for car ownership transfer.

You can check the status of your car transfer registration via SMS or websites.

You get — an expiry sticker, new vehicle ownership certificate, and new vehicle number plates if requested.