Car Ownership Transfer Dubai: RTA Steps and Fees

To do a car ownership transfer in Dubai, the seller starts RTA’s online Change a Vehicle Ownership service, pays any fines and enters the buyer’s details. Both sides sign a digital Sale and Purchase Agreement, and the buyer pays the fees, gets insurance and completes registration. For a light vehicle, RTA lists an AED 350 fee, plus AED 50 for the agreement, AED 20 Knowledge and Innovation fee and the plate fee, from AED 35 for a short plate. All licensing steps should be finished within 14 days to avoid penalties.

Do this next before you sell or buy a car

• Clear the car’s fines and check for a bank mortgage.
• Get the car tested if RTA requires an inspection for registration.
• Buyer: arrange insurance in your name before registration.
• Agree on the plate: the seller can keep the number and hand over the plates.

How the RTA ownership transfer works

1. Seller logs in to the RTA website or app with a username and password, UAE PASS, or Emirates ID, driving licence, traffic file or plate details.
2. Seller selects Change Ownership under Vehicle Licensing Services and picks the vehicle.
3. Identity is verified through UAE PASS and the registered phone number.
4. Seller pays any fines on the vehicle.
5. Seller enters the buyer’s details and the vehicle data, then submits.
6. Buyer signs the Sale and Purchase Agreement through the link sent by SMS and email.
7. Seller signs after receiving a notification.
8. Seller chooses plate handover: at a centre within 14 days of the fees being paid, or by delivery.
9. Buyer pays the fees.
10. Buyer completes registration at one of the listed service centres, such as Tasjeel, Shamil or Wasel, after insurance and any required inspection.

The digital Sale and Purchase Agreement certificate is valid for 14 days. When the car is registered for one year in the buyer’s name, the seller pays fines related to the vehicle and the buyer pays the rest, as RTA describes.

RTA ownership transfer fees

Vehicle type	Fee
Light vehicle (private or public)	AED 350
Motorcycle	AED 200
Private vehicle 3 to 12 tonnes	AED 400
Public vehicle 3 to 12 tonnes	AED 650
Private vehicle over 12 tonnes	AED 800
Public vehicle over 12 tonnes	AED 1,000
Bus 14 to 26 passengers	AED 300
Bus over 26 passengers	AED 600
Trailer and semi-trailer	AED 120
Light mechanical equipment	AED 500 private, AED 700 public
Heavy mechanical equipment	AED 800 private, AED 1,000 public

Plate and agreement fees

Item	Fee
Short plate	AED 35
Long plate	AED 50
Short or long classical plate	AED 150
Dubai branded plate	AED 200
Luxury plate	AED 500
Sale and Purchase Agreement	AED 50
Knowledge and Innovation	AED 20

Example: a private car with a new short plate costs AED 350 + AED 35 + AED 50 + AED 20 = AED 455 in RTA transfer fees, before insurance and any inspection fee. Showrooms pay a separate AED 20 agreement fee to RTA.

Documents and requirements

• Valid Emirates IDs for both the buyer and the seller.
• Electronic insurance in the buyer’s name.
• An electronic technical inspection, where required.
• A document proving the vehicle meets Gulf specifications, if this is not shown on the customs card.
• An electronic mortgage release from the bank, if the car is financed.

Company-owned vehicles

For a company seller, RTA asks for a valid trade licence, a company letter in Arabic for the transfer and registration, and the Emirates ID of the authorised person or legal representative.

Special cases

• Seller not available: a Sale and Purchase Agreement from an accredited Dubai showroom is needed, and a legal representative must hold a power of attorney covering the sale and disposal of vehicles.
• Car abroad: ownership cannot be transferred while the vehicle is outside the UAE.
• Owner has died: a family member obtains a letter and documents from Dubai Courts, including the death certificate, and presents them at a service centre; the court submits the request to the traffic system.
• Financed car: the loan must be settled or the bank must release the mortgage electronically before transfer.

Checks for buyers

• Check the car’s fines and history with our guide on checking vehicle details by number plate.
• Confirm insurance details with our car insurance check.
• Look at the Vehicle Licence (ownership e-card) details through RTA’s document validation service, which shows the expiry date, mortgage and insurance.
• Have the car inspected independently before paying.

After the transfer

The buyer receives the vehicle licence electronically by email and SMS, as the ownership e-card. Save or print it, as you may need to show it to the authorities. The buyer should also set up Salik for the car; see our Salik recharge guide. The seller should check that the car no longer appears under their traffic file.

Selling a car: a seller’s checklist

1. Settle the car loan and ask the bank to release the mortgage electronically.
2. Pay all fines on the vehicle in the RTA or Dubai Police app.
3. Decide whether to keep your plate number, and agree on plate handover with the buyer.
4. Remove the car’s Salik tag account link or transfer the balance, and cancel your own insurance only after the transfer is complete.
5. Keep copies of the signed Sale and Purchase Agreement and the payment receipt.

Buying a used car: a buyer’s checklist

1. Check the plate for fines, accidents and mortgage before paying.
2. Arrange insurance in your name, which you need for registration.
3. Book the vehicle inspection if the car needs one.
4. Sign the agreement only when the details match the car in front of you.
5. Complete registration at a service centre within the 14-day window.

Avoiding penalties

RTA’s terms say all licensing transactions must be completed within 14 days to prevent penalties and fines. The vehicle is sold according to the model and type in its official documents, under the Federal Traffic Law and its regulations. Do not let the buyer drive away before the transfer is complete, because fines and liability stay with the registered owner.

Official source: RTA’s Apply for Changing a Vehicle Ownership service. Fees can change, so check the total shown before paying.

This guide is part of our UAE Traffic Fines and Vehicle Guide.