How to Request for Vehicle Ownership Transfer in Dubai

People living in Dubai who opt to buy a second-hand vehicle need to follow car ownership rules enforced by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). The buyer needs to transfer vehicle ownership in their name officially, before they can take it on the road. Therefore, a used car buyer has to apply for a change of ownership of a vehicle through the RTA. 

The transfer vehicle ownership certificate and an ownership title from the RTA are proof that the vehicle is officially registered in the new buyer’s name. If you are also interested in buying a used car in Dubai, read below to learn how to request a vehicle ownership transfer. 

WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO REQUEST TRANSFER OF VEHICLE OWNERSHIP?

Companies and individuals are eligible to apply for vehicle ownership transfer. 

WHAT DOCUMENTS ARE REQUIRED TO APPLY FOR VEHICLE OWNERSHIP TRANSFER?

In order to transfer vehicle ownership from the seller, here is the list of documents that are to be presented along with the request application:

For individuals, the following situations apply:

• Seller: the original Emirates ID of the seller of the vehicle. If the Emirates ID is not valid or has expired, the seller must provide his/her original passport. 
• Buyer: If the buyer is a GCC citizen (or a local) are required to present an original Emirates ID as well as a copy of his/her valid passport to update the information (if expired). 
• The new buyer, if is a diplomat, must present a valid diplomatic card plus a letter from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 
• The new buyer, if is a Dubai resident and the residence visa is sponsored by the Oilfields Supply Centre then they are required to submit a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to register vehicle. 

Besides, all the individual buyers from the mentioned categories need to follow the given procedures:

• The electronic insurance document of the vehicle is also required.
• If the vehicle is under a mortgage, it is mandatory to add or redeem the mortgage electronically.
• The vehicle’s technical inspection certificate is also mandatory. 
• If the seller wants to keep the previous plate numbers, they should be delivered to the centre first. 
• In case the number plates of the vehicle are lost (any one or both), a report from the police must also be produced. This applies to the motorcycle’s lost plate as well. 
• And finally, the vehicle’s technical inspection must also be performed at the Automobile Touring Club Technical Centre. 

If you’re a company applying for a transfer vehicle ownership certificate, the following documents are required:

• An official letter in the Arabic language along with a copy of the trade license, and endorsement of signature and authorization letter which is certified by the court. 
• The electronic insurance document of the vehicle.
• In case the vehicle is under a mortgage, it is mandatory to add or redeem the mortgage electronically.
• The vehicle technical inspection certificate is a must. 
• If the companies are located in Dubai Technology, Media Free Zone or Jabel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA), a No Objection Certificate (NOC) is required.
• If the seller wants to keep the plate numbers with him/her, then it must be delivered to the centre first. 
• An electronic report from the police is to be produced in a situation where one or both vehicle licence plates are lost, be it for cars or motorcycles. 

WHERE TO GO TO CHANGE OWNERSHIP OF THE VEHICLE IN DUBAI?

You can apply to transfer vehicle ownership at the RTA Dubai Customer Happiness Centres, located in Deira, Al Barsha, Umm Ramool, Al Manara and Al Twar. Also, at any of the following Vehicle Registration and Inspection Centres in Dubai:

• Al Qusais Registration
• Al Barsha Registration
• Warsan Registration
• Jebel Ali registration
• Hatta registration
• Discovery Gardens registration
• Al-Awir registration
• Arab city registration
• Shamil Al-AdedShamil Muhaisnah
• Shamil Nad Al Hammar
• Shamil Al Qusais
• Al Momayaz Vehicle Inspection – Al Mizhar Markets
• Al Mumayaz Vehicle Testing – Al Barsha Mall
• Wasel Vehicle Testing – Al Jaddaf
• Wasel Vehicle Testing – Arab Center
• Wasel Vehicle Testing – Nad Al Hammar
• AG Cars For Vehicle Inspection – Deira
• AG Cars for Vehicle Testing – Mamzar
• Integrated Center – Al Awir
• Integrated Center – Al Quoz
• Tamam Vehicles Inspection
• Elias Center

Here are the details on how to apply for an RTA vehicle transfer certificate in Dubai. Also, go through these common RTA vehicle testing FAQs to know the importance of the process.

HOW TO CHANGE VEHICLE OWNERSHIP IN DUBAI?

We have outlined the details pertaining to how to transfer car ownership in Dubai below:

1. Submit the required documents listed above at any of the centre afore-mentioned. 
2. Pay the service fees to receive the receipt. 
3. Receive the vehicle ownership certificate along with new plates if the plate numbers were requested to be changed. 

Ideally, the average waiting time is only 10 minutes while the processing time is only 5 minutes. 

WHAT TO EXPECT TO RECEIVE FROM THIS SERVICE?

You will receive the following once your request to transfer vehicle ownership has been approved. 

• An expiry sticker
• Brand-new plates if the plate numbers were requested to be renewed
• Your new vehicle ownership certificate. 

CAR OWNERSHIP TRANSFER FEES IN DUBAI

As far as service charges to transfer vehicle ownership are concerned, here is a complete list of fee for change of ownership of vehicle in Dubai. This varies depending on the type of vehicle: 

• Private or public light vehicles: AED 350  
• Private vehicles weighing between 3-12 tonnes: AED 400
• Public vehicles weighing between 3-12 tonnes: AED 650  
• Private vehicles exceeding a weight of 12 tonnes: AED 800
• Public vehicles exceeding a weight of 12 tonnes: AED 1,000
• Private light mechanical equipment: AED 500
• Public light mechanical equipment: AED 700
• Private heavy mechanical equipment: AED 800
• Public heavy mechanical equipment: AED 1,000 
• Trailers and semi-trailers: AED 120
• Buses with a number of passengers between 14-26: AED 300 
• Buses with a number of passengers exceeding 26: AED 600 
• Motorcycles: AED 200
• The selling agreement is charged AED 50
• The short number plate fee is AED 35
• The long number plate fee is AED 50
• Dubai branded number plate fee is AED 200
• The luxury number plate fee is AED 500
• The expiry sticker fee is AED 10
• Knowledge and innovation fee AED +20

TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR CAR OWNERSHIP TRANSFER IN DUBAI 

The following terms and conditions apply when you request to transfer vehicle ownership to your name. 

• The customer (new buyer) or a legal representative of him/her must be present in person to apply for the process.
• The new buyer must produce a letter from an accredited showroom if the seller of the vehicle is not available.
• The new buyer must pay all outstanding traffic fines before he/she can receive the service.
• The new buyer must clear the fee for change of ownership of vehicle. 
• When the buyer applies to transfer vehicle ownership, he/she must apply for registration, export, possession or transfer service. 

IF YOU ARE A CUSTOMER WHO HAS A RESIDENCE VISA FROM ANOTHER EMIRATE THAN DUBAI, YOU MUST MEET ONE OF THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS TO REGISTER A VEHICLE:

• You are an investor in Dubai, such as a property or facility owner.
• You are employed at a company that has a branch in Dubai 
• You are a resident in Dubai which you must prove by showing a ratified tenancy agreement by the Real Estate Regulatory Authority or by producing a recent electricity or phone bill.
• You are employed at a governmental or semi-governmental agency or at a regional organization that has one of its offices in Dubai. 
• You have an official letter from the university if you are a student in Dubai. 

IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A TRAFFIC FILE, YOU MUST SUBMIT THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS FOR CAR OWNERSHIP TRANSFER IN DUBAI:

• Citizens must submit their original Emirates ID
• Dubai residents as well residents of other Emirates must submit their residence visa. This is, in addition, to a copy of a valid passport, copy of residence visa, and copy of Emirates ID. 
• If the companies are institutions or establishments, they should submit original commercial licence. In case of companies licenced by Department of Economic Development, need to present a copy of the commercial licence.

The complete guide on how to request vehicle ownership transfer comes to an end here. All those individuals and companies interested in buying a used vehicle in Dubai have to follow the process mentioned to get the car registered in their name officially. Also, don’t forget to prepare the documents required for buying a car in Dubai (second-hand or new) and submit them with the request application as per the requirements.

Besides, it is worthwhile to note that the process to transfer the ownership of a car between different Emirates is different from the above steps provided. For instance, if you are based in the capital, go through this process of car ownership transfer in Abu Dhabi.

Stay tuned to UAE’s most popular auto blog for more information about the laws and rules of buying and selling vehicles in all the Emirates.