The Importance of Vehicle Clearance Certificates Explained
A vehicle clearance certificate indicates no unpaid fines or mortgages are associated with a vehicle with this certificate. Companies, citizens and individual users are eligible for the vehicle clearance certificate service offered by RTA.
Simply put, this is an essential document proving legal ownership of a vehicle. It serves as evidence that a particular individual or entity has the legal right to possess and use a specific vehicle. Let’s go through the process of applying for a vehicle clearance certificate in detail.
Importance of Vehicle Clearance Certificate
Here are some important details pertaining to a car clearance certificate.
Ownership Proof
The primary purpose of a vehicle clearance certificate is to establish the legal owner of a vehicle. It contains information about the owner, including their name, address and other identifying details.
Vehicle Information
The certificate also includes detailed information about the vehicle, such as the make, model, year of manufacture, vehicle identification number (VIN) and registration details.
Transfer of Ownership
When a vehicle changes hands, the certificate needs to be updated to reflect the new owner’s information. This process typically involves transferring the title from the previous owner to the new owner through a legal procedure. Here is how to request for a vehicle transfer ownership in Dubai.
Security Interest
A vehicle clearance certificate also indicates if there is a security interest or lien on the vehicle. This means that someone else has a legal claim on the vehicle, such as a financial institution that provided a loan for its purchase.
Title Search
Before buying a used vehicle, individuals often conduct a title search to verify the ownership history and ensure that the seller has the legal right to sell the vehicle. Here is how to check car history in the UAE.
Preventing Fraud
Vehicle Clearance Certificates are crucial in preventing fraud and ensuring that stolen vehicles are not sold. They help maintain a transparent record of vehicle ownership.
Documented Proof
A vehicle clearance certificate is a crucial document that can help resolve disputes related to vehicle ownership, insurance claims and legal matters.
Documents Required to Apply for a Vehicle Clearance Certificate
The following documents need to be submitted when to apply for the certificate:
- Individuals owning vehicles need to submit their original Emirates ID and vehicle ownership certificate.
- As for companies owning vehicles, they need to submit a trade licence in addition to a letter from the company.
Ways to Apply for a Vehicle Clearance Certificate
Users can apply for the certificate via the following mediums:
- RTA website
- Mahboub Chatbot on the RTA website
- Dubai Drive App
- Self Service Machines at the various customer happiness centres in Dubai. These machines are installed in the following customer happiness centres:
- Al Kifaf
- Al Manarah
- Al Twar
- Al Barsha
- Al Qusais Tasjeel
- Barsha Tasjeel
- Deira
- Muhaisna Shamil
- Tasjeel Al Tawar
- Tamam Vehicle Testing
- Umm Ramool
- Wasel Vehicle Testing – Al Jaddaf
Procedure to Apply for a Vehicle Clearance Certificate
Let’s go through the detailed procedure on applying for the certificate in Dubai. Users applying through the website or Dubai Drive app, need to:
- Log in with their username and password.
- Go to Licensing Services.
- Choose ‘My vehicles (more)’.
- Provide the necessary details.
- Pay the fees securely with a credit card.
- The customer then receives the certificate electronically.
Users or customers can also apply for the service through the Mahboub Chatbot on RTA’s website. The process to apply for the certificate is as follows:
- Type in ‘vehicle clearance certificate’.
- Enter the vehicle plate number details.
- Confirm your vehicle’s details.
- Input required information like traffic file number, birth year or trade licence number and contact details.
- Make the required fee payment with a credit card.
- The customer then receives the certificate electronically.
Those with an RTA account can apply for the certificate through Mahboub Chatbot in the following manner:
- Type in ‘vehicle clearance certificate’.
- Enter your username.
- Choose a vehicle from your account’s vehicle list or enter plate details for another vehicle.
- Provide necessary information, including traffic file number, birth year or trade licence number and contact details.
- Make the payment with a credit card to settle the required fees.
- The customer then receives the certificate electronically.
Users applying for the certificate through Self Service Machines at customer happiness centres need to:
- Select online services.
- Proceed to the desired service and enter the vehicle’s information.
- Settles the required fees.
- The customer receives the certificate instantly from the Self Service Machine’s printer.
Details About the Vehicle Clearance Certificate Service Fee
The clearance certificate service fee is AED 100 in addition to a knowledge and innovation fee of AED 20+.
Terms and Conditions to Apply for a Vehicle Clearance Certificate
To obtain a clearance certificate, meeting the following terms and conditions is necessary:
- Clear All Traffic Fines and Restrictions: Prior to applying for a clearance certificate, it’s crucial to settle any outstanding traffic fines, including impounding and block fines, among others. This is a mandatory requirement and you cannot proceed to apply for the certificate without resolving these fines.
- Ensure Timely Vehicle Registration Renewal: The vehicle’s registration should not be expired for more than 90 days. If it has been expired for longer than this period, you won’t be eligible to apply for a clearance certificate.
In summary, make sure you’ve paid all fines and your vehicle’s registration is up-to-date within the 90-day limit before applying for a vehicle clearance certificate.
FAQS
How to Apply for a Vehicle Clearance Certificate?
You can apply for a vehicle clearance certificate via the RTA website, Mahboub Chatbot, Dubai Drive App and the Self Service Machines at the customer happiness centres in Dubai.
What is the processing time for receiving a vehicle clearance certificate in Dubai?
You can get your vehicle clearance certificate instantly through email or self-service machines. However, if you prefer courier delivery or visiting a service centre, it will take about 3 working days to receive the certificate.
What is the validity of the vehicle clearance certificate?
The vehicle clearance certificate in Dubai is valid for one month after its issuance date.
Where can a vehicle clearance certificate be obtained for a vehicle registered in another Emirate?
If your vehicle is registered in another Emirate and you need a clearance certificate to confirm no pending traffic fines in Dubai, please inquire with the respective emirate’s authorities where your vehicle is registered.
That covers the significance of a clearance certificate. To explore other certificates issued by the RTA, keep following the dubizzle car blog for more information.