How to Transfer Car Ownership in Dubai

The following article gives a detailed account of the processes included in car ownership transfers between different emirates.

When someone wants to sell their vehicle in a different emirate than in which they are residents, the transfer process initiates according to the legal and official requirements of the emirate to which the new owner belongs. One might have to face fines and penalties if he/she fails to comply. Under the worst-case scenario, the old owner might have to face some disciplinary action against him.

Normally, a vehicle ownership transfer is needed when you buy or sell a car, but in some cases, it might also be needed in order to hand over your vehicle to a friend in case you are traveling out of the country. While fines and legal boundaries surround the process, it is necessary for one to know the car transfer requirements. The requirements are as follow:

1-Pay outstanding fines and penalties

In order to smoothen out the transfer process, the seller needs to clear all Salik and fines before he hands the vehicle over to the other party. The process, the process might vary according to the emirate in which the vehicle is registered in:

Dubai: Dubai traffic police fine payment portal or the RTA web platform for fines in Dubai.

Abu Dhabi: Abu Dhabi police portal will be collecting fines issued in Abu Dhabi.

Sharjah: The Sharjah Road and Transport Authority will recover all fines issued within Sharjah.

2-Transfer Insurance and Mortgage Policies

The new owner is required to renew the car insurance policy; technically, any vehicle that is under any kind of mortgage is the rightful property of the financing company. The seller must transfer the insurance policy or mortgage to the new buyer of the vehicle through a power of attorney. As for the vehicle’s insurance policy, it must be either terminated or it must be transferred to the new buyer. If the insurance policy is expired, the new buyer must get a new insurance policy themselves.

Buyers also have the option to clear the outstanding funds through their banks. For example, Emirates NBD Bank is offering a financing solution called AutoSwap, which eliminates the trouble of settling the existing loan.

3-Get a Pass Report

After all the above processes, you need to get your vehicle inspected professionally to ensure its road safety. An option for doing so is Tasjeel, a government agency that inspects cars and certifies their condition. The offer to conduct a 50 points inspection for an inspection fee of AED 350/- to make sure that the vehicle is mechanically and visually.

4-Check the required documents

A complete and successful vehicle ownership transfer requires both, the buyer and the seller to have the following documents:

A new seller needs to have the following documents:

• Original Emirates ID
• Mulkiya (original vehicle registration card)
• Original and a copy of passport along with residence visa
• In case of car loan, final loan payment confirmation

The buyer needs to show the following documents:

• Emirates ID
• Original and a copy of UAE driving license
• Original and a copy of passport with a valid residence visa
• Original insurance certificate

5-Decide about car number plates

Number plates can be retained without owning a vehicle, intriguingly; one can own a car number plate in Dubai without owning a single car. While the buyer is supposed to retain the car number plates in most cases, the seller might also have the option to keep the car number plates. It’s surprising that many people wish to keep the number plate for some sentimental reason. However, there are certain rules about the retention of number plates. In the latter case, an owner’s certificate issued by RTA will be required. In this case, new plates will be issued for the vehicle.

Still, there are certain rules regarding the retention of the number plates. In the latter, the owner’s RTA-issued certificate will be required. New plates need to be issued for the vehicle in this case.

6-How to transfer car ownership in a registration center?

Both current and new owners must be present for car registration transfer, vehicle ownership transfer can take place at either the traffic police HQ of the emirate the car is being brought from or a licensing center of the same Emirate. The registration will commence only in the presence of both parties at any venue of their choice.

Two main steps of the registration process are:

• Vehicle permit application be filled for the new owner
• Submission of the required documentation and the permit application at the registration desk

Your part is completed and now let the authorities take care of it. They will check for any outstanding fines, which the previous owner will have to clear in order for the transfer to continue. After the clearance is complete, the new owner of the vehicle will have to pay a transfer fee. The fee for a vehicle is set to be AED 350/-, while the fee for a heavy vehicle is AED 400/-.

Once you have completed all these steps, the authorities will verify all the given information and they will print a new registration card, known as a Mulkiya, under the new owner’s name.

If you wish to sell your car or to buy a new car from someone in a different emirate, the above article will prove to be life-saving for you.