Used Car Registration in Abu Dhabi: Renewal, Cost & More

Steps
Documentation
Fees
Validity
Registration Centres

You can not drive a car in Abu Dhabi unless it is registered. It applies to both new and used cars. If you haven’t bought a used car before, the process will seem slightly different than buying a brand new one from a dealership. When buying a used car in Abu Dhabi, the new owner i.e. the buyer is responsible for registration. Moreover, there are other things to consider, such as payment of pending dues and vehicle inspection.

Nevertheless, Abu Dhabi authorities have made the process straightforward. This guide explains all the necessary steps you need to follow for used car registration in Abu Dhabi.

Vehicle Registration in Abu Dhabi

The vehicle registration process in Abu Dhabi is quite efficient. All you need is to prepare the necessary documents and follow a few steps.

Steps for Used Car Registration in Abu Dhabi

If you are buying a used car in Abu Dhabi, you need to follow the following steps to register a car:

Make sure there are no Salik and traffic fines in Abu Dhabi due on you.
If there is a car loan, get a no objection certificate (NOC) to transfer the remaining debt to the new buyer.
Car inspection is a must.
Obtain vehicle insurance from an authorised insurer in Abu Dhabi.
Collect all the required documents and visit a car registration centre in Abu Dhabi.

Below you can find all these steps in detail.

Clear All Your Salik and Traffic Fines

Pending traffic and Salik fines can complicate the procedure of transferring vehicle ownership, which is why you must clear all the penalties associated with the vehicle. So, if you haven’t done this yet, all you need is to visit the Abu Dhabi Police website and inquire about the pending traffic fines and pay it online.

Moreover, Emirates Vehicle Gate is another place to inquire about the outstanding traffic fines and pay them via credit card. Besides, you can also visit the TAMM website and pay the penalties by using Emirates ID and vehicle registration number. Check this article to find more details about traffic fines in Abu Dhabi.

Bank Clearance Certificate

If there is any car loan, confirmation of final loan payment is also required. Keep in mind that the car loan should always be cleared by the previous owner. You can also obtain a bank release letter or no objection certificate (NOC) if you want to transfer the remaining debt to the new buyer.

Get Your Vehicle Inspected

You must clear the vehicle inspection test for used car registration in Abu Dhabi. You can visit ADNOC’s Vehicle Inspection Centre for the vehicle inspection along with all the following essential documents:

Old car registration card
Original Emirates ID
Driving license
Vehicle insurance certificate
Vehicle test certificate

However, the inspection cost ranges between 165 AED and 495 AED. 165 AED is for the vehicle test, 50 AED for vehicle retest, 40 AED is for permit services, 40 AED is for certificate reprint and 495 AED can cost for the UAE Standards Test.

Abu Dhabi Head Office

Location: Sh Zayed Street next to National Drilling Company and UNB building
Timing: Monday to Sunday – 07:00 am to 11:00 pm
Contact: 02 6771300

ِAl Dhafra Region Office

Location: Behind ADDC Office, next to Etisalat
Timing: Monday to Sunday – 07:00 am to 11:00 pm
Contact: 02 8943222

You can also find the Abu Dhabi car registration centres in Muroor, Yas, Mahawi, Musaffah and Baniyas South-West Abu Dhabi. Also, for vehicle registration, the result of the car inspection has to come positive.

Complete Documentation and Paperwork

Take all the required documents with you to avoid paying multiple visits to the Abu Dhabi car registration centres.

Vehicle Insurance

You need to get vehicle insurance from an authorised insurer in Abu Dhabi. If you are a buyer, you can get the Insurance policy from InsuranceMarket.ae. It is one of the leading Car insurance companies in the UAE, where you can compare and buy the best insurance deals with the help of a personal advisor. To know more about car insurance in Abu Dhabi, give this guide a read.

Documents Needed for Used Car Registration in Abu Dhabi

First of all, you need proof of ownership. For this, you must have any of the mentioned documents such as Transfer certificate, possession transfer certificate, Vehicle Clearance Certificate (VCC), possession certificate or lost export certificate replacement.

Besides, the other documents required for the used car registration in Abu Dhabi include:

Original Emirates identification document
Passport copy and valid residence visa for residents
Electronic vehicle insurance document
Valid driving license and passport copies of the buyer and the seller
If a vehicle is mortgaged, you must pay it
New insurance policy in the name of the new purchaser for 13 months.
For diplomats, a valid diplomatic ID and an official letter from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is required
For companies, a copy of a trade licence, an official letter in the Arabic language, an authorisation letter and the endorsement of signature

It is important to note that all the documents must be valid and updated. If any of the documents have expired, your application will be rejected. Moreover, the seller also needs to provide the following documents:

Original Emirates ID
Original vehicle registration card (Mulkiya)
Valid residence visa and passport copies
Valid driving license

Vehicle Registration Fee

The vehicle registration in Abu Dhabi will cost AED 400 for the first time while renewing a vehicle license will cost AED 350.

Car Registration Validity Period In Abu Dhabi

The validity of car registration in Abu Dhabi is 12 months; however, there is a 30 days grace period that starts after the completion of these 12 months. During the grace period, you can get the car inspected, repaired and insured if needed.

Penalty for Driving a Car with an Expired Registration

The penalty for using expired vehicle registration in Abu Dhabi is AED 500; whereas, 4 black points will also be added to the owners’ record whenever they cross the new toll gates. Moreover, you can also lose your driving license and cars can be impounded for a week. You can check black points in the UAE and be more prudent.

Used Car Registration Centres in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi Police General Headquarters

Once you have all the documents, visit Abu Dhabi Police GHQ. Here, you will be provided with a vehicle registration form, which must be filled out by the new owner.

After completing all the documentation and filling out the form, the new owner will receive a new registration sticker. Place the sticker directly on the old rear number plate. Your car is now registered under your name.

Here is the address and contact information of Abu Dhabi Police GHQ:

Location: Shakhbout bin Sultan Street, Abu Dhabi
Timing: Thursday to Sunday: 7:00 am – 2:30 pm | Friday and Saturday: Closed
Contact: 8003333
Email: contactus@adpolice.gov.ae

Abu Dhabi Police App

Instead of visiting the Abu Dhabi Police Headquarters, you can opt for online vehicle registration. Follow the below-mentioned steps:

Visit Abu Dhabi Police Online portal via website or app
Search for Transfer Vehicle Ownership in the Most Used Services option
Click on the Transfer Vehicle Ownership
Register your account by using Username and Password
Submit all required documents and get the procedure done within five working days

Tamm

In a similar vein, you can also use the TAMM Request to Transfer Vehicle Ownership option. This service is used to request for transferring vehicle registration to a new owner. Abu Dhabi Police oversees this service provided by TAMM. The process includes three steps:

Apply along with the required documents
Pay registration fees
Receive the new license card

You can visit the Ministry of Interior (MOI) and Emirate Vehicle Gate websites to register a second-hand car after buying. Also, we would like to recommend that you take all the documents you think might be needed during the registration procedure.

FAQs

How much is registration renewal in Abu Dhabi?

The vehicle registration renewal in Abu Dhabi will cost AED 350.

what is the grace period for car registration in Abu Dhabi?

There is a 30 days grace period for used car registration renewal in Abu Dhabi. The period starts after the completion of these 12 months. During the grace period, you can get the car inspected, repaired and insured if needed.

This concludes our step by step guide on used car registration in Abu Dhabi. However, if you are planning to buy a used car in Abu Dhabi make sure you register it after buying. For more options you can check:

Stay tuned to the UAE’s top auto blog for more updates on car registration, car insurance and the country’s traffic law.

How to Register a Used Car in Abu Dhabi