What to Know When Getting a Car in Dubai

The most popular way to get around Dubai is to drive. The roads are wide and modern, the driving is fast, and best of all, the fuel is cheap.

But before you get behind the wheel of your dream car and speed down any of the highways, you need to follow a few crucial steps. And it all starts with getting a VIN number check in the UAE.

Learn About Your Car

It’s easy enough to get a car in Dubai. You can get a new vehicle or go for a used one if you’re on a budget. If you’re choosing the latter, you’ll want to do more than visually inspect the second-hand vehicle and test drive it. You’ll also want to get a VIN check.

A VIN check number tells you if the used car has had water damage, gone through extensive repairs, or been in accidents. Without a vehicle history check, you would never know whether the car you’re thinking of buying has some hidden surprises.

Once you’re well-informed about the car, sign off on a deal. What follows after a vehicle purchase? Vehicle registration.

Register Your Car

Car registration (or mulkiya) is a certification you need to accomplish. When registering a new car, the process is easy since the dealership where you bought the vehicle typically does it on your behalf. But vehicle registration renewal falls on you a year after your car purchase.

Although the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) provides a grace period, it’s still advisable to renew your car before it expires. On-time renewal of your car registration saves you the inconvenience of paying fines and taking public transportation.

Here’s how to do it.

1. Get your vehicle tested.

A vehicle inspection is the first step to renew your registration. A vehicle that’s over three years old must be tested at an RTA facility, such as Shamil, Tasjeel, or Wasel. Fees will apply. If your vehicle was manufactured less than three years ago, you may not be required to do a vehicle test.

If your car doesn’t pass the testing stage, you need to get the required repairs before proceeding with the renewal.

Once you pass the vehicle testing, you can start the renewal process. The validity of the technical test is 30 days, according to the RTA.

2. Get your vehicle insured.

Insurance is a requirement before renewing your car. The insurance not only protects you and your vehicle from risks, but it’s also listed among the required documents for your renewal.

The RTA will verify the technical inspection and the insurance of your vehicle when evaluating your renewal registration. So before learning how to update vehicle registration online, make sure your car has passed testing and has valid insurance.

3. Go to the website or download the app.

The RTA provides several ways to renew your vehicle registration: on its website, through the RTA app, through the Dubai Drive app, and through a call center.

You can also renew your vehicle registration offline through self-service machines, and at vehicle registration and inspection centers.

If you’re using the website, log on to www.rta.ae and choose the drivers and vehicles service without a password. Fill in the necessary information.

Make sure you have the required documents ready to furnish the required information:

• Valid driving license
• Emirates ID
• Mulkiya or the old vehicle registration card
• Valid insurance
• Vehicle technical inspection certificate

If you’re wondering: “Can I renew my car registration without Emirates ID?”, the answer is “no.” You need your Emirates ID to renew your vehicle registration.

4. Pay the fees and settle fines, if any.

The next step is to pay the corresponding fees for your vehicle registration. Since it’s an online registration, payment is through credit card.

5. Print the temporary mulkiya.

Once you’ve provided all the necessary information and paid for the renewal, you can print a temporary version of your mulkiya. You may also want to print a receipt of your payment to prove that you’ve successfully renewed your registration.

6. Pick a delivery method to receive your permanent registration card.

You can then choose how you want to receive your renewed registration: through a courier (delivery rates apply) or you can pick it up at the RTA.

The average waiting time for renewal varies. For online channels (the website and the apps) and the self-service machines, it’s instant. For vehicle registration and inspection centers, it’s five minutes.

What Is the Validity of Car Registration in Dubai?

The validity of vehicle registration in Dubai is one year. The annual registration helps the government know they have current information about your car and that you still own the vehicle. The government uses this information to determine taxes, which fund the maintenance of roads and transportation improvements. Your registration also allows the government to determine vehicle ownership, facilitating safety and security on the road.

Check your vehicle registration for the expiration date because you should renew it before it expires. The RTA provides a 30-day grace period, which allows you to renew your registration 30 days after it expires. If you miss that grace period, expect fines.

According to a report, the current fine is AED 10 per month, which is under review for an increase. When the Ministry of Interior approves an increase, the fine for exceeding renewal registration could reach AED 150.

How much does it cost to renew car registration in Dubai? The type of vehicle dictates the renewal fees:

• Light vehicle private/public, light vehicle classical - AED 350
• Private vehicle between three and 12 tons - AED 400
• Private vehicle exceeding 12 tons - AED 800
• Motorcycle - AED 200

A vehicle inspection is the first step to renew your registration. A vehicle that’s over three years old must be tested at an RTA facility, such as Shamil, Tasjeel, or Wasel. Fees will apply. If your vehicle was manufactured less than three years ago, you may not be required to do a vehicle test.

If your car doesn’t pass the testing stage, you need to get the required repairs before proceeding with the renewal.

Once you pass the vehicle testing, you can start the renewal process. The validity of the technical test is 30 days, according to the RTA.

Can You Drive Your Car Without Registration?

If you have an expired vehicle registration, you can’t drive your car. It’s illegal to drive a vehicle in Dubai (and the entire UAE, for that matter) without registration. The consequences could mean hefty fines and getting your vehicle impounded.

Driving around Dubai is better when you’re behind the wheel of your own vehicle.

Make sure to get a background check on the car you want to buy and get it registered before getting on the road.