On this page
The requirements below are from the official RTA service page. Fees change from time to time, so check that page before you go.
Before the RTA car transfer
- Pay all traffic fines, in Dubai and the other emirates. The transfer is blocked until they are paid.
- Release the car loan, if there is one. Once the loan is settled, the bank issues an electronic mortgage release.
- The buyer needs a Dubai Traffic File. If they don't have one, it is opened at the RTA.
- The car must be in Dubai. The RTA can't transfer a car located outside the emirate.
- The registration (Mulkiya) must be valid. If it has expired, the non-renewal fine is paid first.
Documents for car ownership transfer in Dubai
| Who or what | What the RTA asks for |
|---|---|
| Seller | Valid Emirates ID |
| Buyer | Valid Emirates ID, and a UAE driving licence to register the car |
| Insurance | Car insurance in the buyer's name (checked electronically) |
| Inspection | A passed technical inspection (checked electronically) |
| Financed cars | The bank's electronic mortgage release |
| Imported cars | Proof the car meets Gulf Specifications, if this isn't on its customs card |
Companies need extra papers: a trade licence, a letter from the company, and for free zone companies an NOC. If the seller can't attend, a representative needs a power of attorney that covers selling vehicles.
How to transfer car ownership online with UAE Pass
- The seller logs in to the RTA app or website with UAE Pass and chooses Change Ownership under vehicle licensing services.
- The seller selects the car, pays any remaining fines, and enters the buyer's details.
- The buyer receives an SMS and email link to sign the sale and purchase agreement; the seller then signs too.
- The seller hands in the plates at a service centre, or through the RTA delivery service, within 14 days.
- The buyer pays the fees and registers the car; the Mulkiya is issued in the buyer's name.
The online agreement is valid for 14 days; after that it is cancelled. The car becomes the buyer's once the seller hands in the plates.
How long does a car transfer take in Dubai?
With fines paid, the loan released and insurance ready, the transfer itself is quick: the online agreement can be signed the same day, and at a service centre the visit usually takes an hour or two. The slow part is usually the bank's loan clearance, which can take several working days.
Car transfer fees in Dubai
The buyer pays the RTA's transfer fees, plus an inspection if the car needs one and a Traffic File if they don't have one. Fees change from time to time, so check the current amounts on the RTA service page before you go.
Transferring a car from Dubai to another emirate
If the buyer will register the car in another emirate, the Dubai registration is cancelled first. In the RTA app or website, choose to cancel the vehicle registration for transfer to another emirate, pay the fees and hand in the plates; the RTA issues a transfer certificate that the other emirate uses to register the car. Centres in other emirates can't transfer a Dubai-registered car. See the RTA service page.
After the transfer
- The seller cancels their own insurance and asks the insurer about a refund.
- The seller removes their Salik tag if they haven't already.
- The buyer keeps the new Mulkiya in the car.
Frequently asked questions
Can I transfer car ownership online in Dubai?
Yes. The seller starts the transfer in the RTA app or website with UAE Pass, both sign the digital sale agreement, and the seller hands in the plates within 14 days.
What documents are needed for car transfer in Dubai?
Valid Emirates IDs for both, insurance in the buyer's name, a passed inspection, and a mortgage release if the car was financed.
How long does an RTA car transfer take?
Once fines, loan and insurance are sorted, it can be done the same day. A loan clearance from the bank can add several working days.
Who pays the car transfer fees in Dubai?
Usually the buyer, as part of registering the car. The RTA lists the current fees on its service page.
Can I transfer a Dubai car to Sharjah or Abu Dhabi?
Yes. The Dubai registration is cancelled for transfer, the plates handed in, and the other emirate registers the car with the RTA transfer certificate.
