How Much Can You Spend to Get a License Plate in Dubai?

Congratulations on your new vehicle purchase! Before you hit the roads of Dubai, it's crucial to ensure that your vehicle is registered and equipped with a valid Dubai number plate.

The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) in Dubai mandates that all new cars must be registered with the RTA and vehicles must have updated number plates to be legally driven on the roads of Dubai.
In this comprehensive guide, we'll walk you through the process of registering your vehicle and discuss the Dubai number plate prices for your car to help you make an informed decision.

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

How to Register a New Car and Plate?

When purchasing a new vehicle in Dubai, you must possess a valid UAE driving licence and mandatory vehicle insurance. While dealers typically handle the registration process on your behalf, you also have the option to complete the procedure by yourself through various service centres of RTA.

You can also get a new number plate at nominal Dubai licence plate prices by registering for your vehicle online at RTA’s website.

Used Car Registration and Plate Replacement

For registering a used car, both the buyer and the seller must be present during the process.

The documents required for the registration of such cars are -

Passport (original and copy) or Dubai driving licence (original)
Vehicle technical inspection certificate
car insurance
Original Dubai number plates
Existing car registration card
Relevant documents if the car is financed through a bank

You can renew your registration or get your vehicle registered through an approved vehicle testing centre or the RTA.

If you have lost/damaged your licence plates, you will need to replace them with a new plate by paying the plate price, sticker fees, and knowledge and innovation fees.

Documents Required to Change Your Dubai Number Plate

If you wish to change your vehicle's number plate, you can apply for the same through the RTA. Personal vehicle owners (citizens, residents, and companies) are eligible to change their vehicle's number plate.

Here are the documents required to change your Dubai number plate -

Car ownership certificate
Original vehicle number plates
Police report - required if any of the number plates are lost
Valid visa or original Emirates ID

Understanding the Dubai Licence Plate Prices

Having covered the car registration part, let’s move on to the Dubai number plate prices.

As one may expect, the prices for number plates in Dubai vary as per the type of plate that you choose. Here are the general Dubai number plate prices for different types -

Long plate - AED 50
Short plate - AED 35
Expo-branded plates - AED 100
Dubai-branded plates - AED 200
Luxury plates - AED 500

Besides the fees mentioned above, some additional ones may apply. This may include a service fee of around AED 50 (for a new ownership certificate), a knowledge and innovation fee of AED 20, and an expiry sticker fee of AED 10.

If you own a reserved plate number, you can easily renew its reservation without any major document requirements. Dubai licence plate prices for renewal are as follows -

3 months renewal - AED 20
6 months renewal - AED 40
1 year renewal - 80 AED (along with a knowledge and innovation fee of AED 20)

What are the Special Dubai Number Plates?

For those looking to add a unique touch to their vehicle, Dubai offers distinguished or custom number plates. The RTA has distinct plates that can be purchased directly or through auctions. Both Dubai citizens and residents can participate in these auctions, either in person (Hall Auctions) or electronically.

The demand for special number plates is certainly high in the UAE. The plate price for such numbers are millions of AED and they are treasured as unique possessions.

Reserved Special Number Plates

In Dubai, the special registration number plates serve as more than just identifiers; they indicate the purpose, movement, and service of all such vehicles. Some examples of special number plates include green number plates in Dubai, blue number plates in Dubai, and so on. Let’s decode what these colours mean:

For cars destined for foreign shores, the distinct blue number plates in Dubai are an unmistakable sign of export status. With a limit of four digits, these plates signify vehicles that are departing beyond the city's borders. These blue plates become symbols of international movement, a visual representation of Dubai's interconnectedness with the wider world.
Vehicles in transit or commercial vehicles, temporarily making Dubai a pit stop in their journeys, sport green number plates in Dubai. These plates, with a maximum of 5 digits, mirror the colour of nature and convey the transient nature of these vehicles within the city's landscape.
Interestingly, Dubai's police force is not exempt from the distinctive number plate scheme. Police vehicles feature a dark green number plate in Dubai (of up to 4 digits) with a colour design on the left-hand side, signifying their authority and commitment to maintaining order and safety on the roads.

Replacement of Dubai Number Plates

You can also get your vehicle’s lost or damaged number plate in Dubai replaced for a fee. The police report fee for lost number plates in Dubai is usually around AED 70.

The Dubai Number Plate Design of the Future

As per reports, in an exciting development, the UAE is set to introduce a new type of vehicle number plate - the digital number plate. These innovative plates can alert authorities in the event of an accident and even send out alerts if the number plate is tampered with.

Interestingly, these digital number plates can also display ads, which may enable motorists to earn revenue in a digital wallet. This forward-looking technology certainly promises to revolutionise the way number plates function in the UAE.

Wrapping Up

Obtaining a valid number plate in Dubai is an essential step in ensuring compliance with traffic laws for the roads of Dubai. Whether you're registering a new or used car, changing your number plate, or aiming for a distinguished plate, make sure to follow the guidelines provided by the RTA to ensure a smooth and hassle-free process.

As we eagerly await the introduction of digital number plates, it's pretty evident that Dubai continues to innovate and embrace cutting-edge technology for a seamless driving experience

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Roads and Transport Authority (RTA)	Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) Dubai
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