How to Transfer Your Car Ownership & Registration in the UAE

Buying or selling a used car has its work cut out for several kinds of paperwork in the picture. You will have to transfer vehicle ownership to the new owner by completing the vehicle registration transfer as well as the car insurance transfer of the vehicle. However, the most important part of the car ownership transfer remains to be the vehicle registration transfer itself. If you are planning to buy a used car or sell your second-hand car and don’t know the process to transfer vehicle ownership, then here’s a useful guide that can help you transfer your car registration seamlessly.

Car Ownership Transfer in UAE - Steps to Follow

There are few steps involved in the process of vehicle ownership transfer in Dubai and UAE. Most of these steps include the clearance of any prevailing fines and dues against the vehicle, along with obtaining required certificates and documents. Each of these steps is extremely important, so make sure you note them carefully. Following are the steps you need to follow when initiating a vehicle ownership transfer in UAE:

• Step1- Clear All Your Salik or Traffic Fines - Did you know that any pending fines can hinder your vehicle registration transfer procedure? There shouldn’t be any fines associated with your car plate number. This is why you must clear all the unpaid dues before even planning to sell your car. So, if you haven’t done it yet, get them cleared at any police station nearby. You can easily clear your fines online as well.
• Step2- Bank Clearance Documents - If the previous owner took a car loan, then it should be cleared by them before they initiate a vehicle registration transfer. After the loan has been cleared, a final payment certificate proof must be generated for the vehicle ownership transfer. If the new owner has agreed to have the loan transferred to them instead, the current owner must obtain a release letter or, a no-objection certificate (NOC) from the bank to transfer the loan to the buyer. So, no matter if you are a buyer or a seller, check if you require NOC from the bank.
• Step3- Have the Car Tested - You will need to get a pass report once your car is tested at the registration centre. It is not a time-consuming process and it costs only 150 Dirhams in Dubai. Also, remove and hand over the number plate of your car at the registration counter if a new number for the car is wanted. Make sure that you choose one of the approved test centres for the damage test of the car.

How to Transfer Car Ownership in UAE?

Several authorities offer vehicle transfer ownership services in the UAE. This way, the vehicle seller can transfer ownership to the new buyer online. The buyer ends up getting an online sale and purchase agreement, and changes in the possession of the vehicle. The seller gets an insurance refund certificate for a vehicle that is sold. 

Here are the 4 ways to transfer vehicle ownership in UAE –

1. Via RTA
2. Via the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA)
3. Via TAMM
4. Via the Ministry of Interior (MOI)

Transfer Car Ownership Via RTA in UAE

• Visit RTA’s official website.
• Log in to your account using your username and password or via UAE Pass.
• Click on the Change Ownership tab and select the Vehicle Licensing Services option. 
• Select the vehicle. Your identity will be verified using your UAE Pass and registered mobile number. 
• Settle the required fees (if any).
• Enter your details and vehicle information and apply.
• You will get a link to sign the sale and purchase agreement via SMS or email. 
• Once you sign, the seller will receive an alert via SMS and email. They will sign the agreement. 
• The seller will choose whether to submit the number plates at the centre within 14 days from the fees settlement or via a delivery service. 
• Simultaneously, you pay the required fees.
• Head to the service centre and complete the vehicle registration process. 

You can also initiate the car transfer ownership process via RTA Dubai or Dubai Now. To complete the process offline, you can also visit the RTA Customer Happiness Centre or Vehicle Inspection and Registration Centres. 

Transfer Car Ownership Via the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

• Visit MOFA’s official website. 
• Log into your account using your username and password. 
• Submit a vehicle ownership transfer request. Fill in all the details and affix the required documents. 
• You will receive a confirmation email showing that the service is in progress, along with a reference number. 
• You will receive the request at the Diplomatic Corps Licensing Office at the MoFA headquarters. 

Transfer Car Ownership Via TAMM

• Visit the official website. (https://www.tamm.abudhabi/)
• Log into your account using UAE pass. 
• Submit the vehicle ownership transfer application and attach the required documents. 
• Pay the required fees. 
• You will receive confirmation for vehicle ownership transfer. 

Transfer Car Ownership Via the MOI

• Visit the official website. 
• To initiate a new ownership transfer request, select the Vehicle Ownership Transfer service from the vehicle services option. Click on the ‘Start Service’ icon. 
• Select the car plate number for whose ownership you want to transfer.
• Provide the buyer’s traffic code number. Choose any of the options where you can reserve the plate number after buying it or renew the vehicle registration. Once done, click on the ‘Next’ button. 
• Enter the OTP code that was sent to the seller as well as buyer. Click on the ‘Next’ tab. 
• Select how to issue the plate —
  • If you select the reserved plate, you would need to visit the traffic department to complete the request. 
  • In case you choose a new plate, you will be taken to a page where you need to enter plate information. After that, hit the ‘Next’ button. 
• Add your address to receive the delivery and click on the Next button. 
• Confirm the payment gateway by clicking the Yes button. 
• Fill in your card details, and click on the Pay button. 

Once the payment is made, you will receive information in a receipt along with the issued ownership.

Documentation and Paper Works Required For Transfer Car Ownership in Dubai, UAE

To avoid yourself running from one registration center to another, ensure that you have all the required documents with you when you set out to transfer vehicle ownership.

Transfer of Car Ownership Requirements

Documents required by the seller of the car

• Emirates ID of the Seller
• Mulkiya or car registration card of the vehicle
• Driver’s License
• Original passport (in case a car loan is involved)
• Resident Visa (in case a car loan is involved)
• The final loan payment documented proof from the bank
• A NOC certificate if the loan is to be transferred to the new owner

Documents required by the new buyer

• Emirates ID (original and a copy)
• Driver’s License (original and a copy)
• Passport and Resident’s Visa (original and a copy)
• For Diplomates - Diplomat Card and a Letter of Approval from Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Additional Documents

• The technical and damage inspection certificate of the car from a verified center
• Police report if the number plate of the car has been stolen or lost
• Insurance papers of the car

New Registration After Vehicle Ownership Transfer in UAE

Once the vehicle registration transfer is done, the buyer will get the new number plate and new registration card for the car. The cost of vehicle ownership transfer is AED 350, and the new number plate between is AED 35 to AED 500, depending on the size and type of the plate. Small car number plates can be obtained for AED 35, long for AED 50, Dubai branded car plates for AED 200 and luxury car plates for AED 500. You will receive the following documents after a successful car ownership transfer in UAE:

• The new registration card and documents
• Expiration sticker for the current registration (to be pasted on the rear number plate of the car)
• New car plate
• Vehicle ownership certificate

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In Case the Seller and the Buyer Belong to the Different Emirates

If you and the new buyer/old owner of the car belong to different Emirates, the procedure of car ownership transfer may vary. As you already know, there are two traffic systems that are followed in our country- the Federal system and the independent system. The Federal system is followed by all the emirates in the UAE, whereas in Dubai, the independent system is followed.

How to Transfer Car Ownership in Abu Dhabi to Dubai

The process of vehicle ownership transfer from abu dhabi to dubai is basically the same but with a few additional steps involved:

• If the vehicle is registered with Dubai (or any other emirate) and the ownership needs to be transferred to another emirate, let’s say Abu Dhabi, it has to be unregistered from Dubai first.
• Before unregistered of the vehicle, all the fines must be paid along with any outstanding loan. Or the current owner must obtain NOC for transfer of the loan from the bank.
• After the removal of the vehicle from the records of Dubai, it will be marked for ‘export’.
• You will get the vehicle transferred in a towing truck from Dubai to Abu Dhabi (or any other two emirates) as you cannot drive an unregistered vehicle.
• Once the vehicle has reached your emirate, you can have it registered there.
• Buy a new insurance policy for the car registered in your emirate now, and the vehicle registration transfer process will be complete.

Points to Remember for Vehicle Ownership Transfer

• When a car ownership transfer takes place in the UAE, both the new and the current owner must be present physically for the procedure.
• If either of the two owners is unable to attend, they can send a legal representative with an issued power of attorney in their names.
• If you are transporting the car from Dubai to another emirate, it will need to be carried by a recovery truck. You are not allowed to drive the car unless you have the number plates.
• Dubai RTA does not issue number plates for cars that are being exported within the UAE. However, the transportation cost should not be more than AED 500 between two bordering emirates.
• All the services have to be present in the change of ownership application, including registration, vehicle transfer, export, etc.

Car Ownership Transfer Fees in Dubai (UAE)

The car ownership fee in Dubai varies from vehicle to vehicle for new car owners. Here is a list of car ownership transfer fee for different types of vehicles.

Car Ownership Transfer Process in Other Emirates of UAE

Conclusion

So, the next time you plan to sell your car or buy a second-hand vehicle in the UAE, make sure that you take care of the above-mentioned pointers for a safe deal. Strategic planning can never go amiss; in fact, it can only help in making the process seamless and hassle-free.

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