Replacing Lost or Damaged Number Plates in Dubai

Driving without a valid number plate is illegal in the UAE. It can lead to hefty fines and penalties. So even if your vehicle’s number plate is lost or damaged, you should know how to replace it to avoid legal consequences. Here, we will find out how to replace damaged or lost number plates in Dubai. We will also check the associated fees and the required documents. Keep on reading to know more!

What Happens If You Don’t Replace Damaged/Lost Number Plates in Dubai?

You cannot drive around in Dubai without a valid number plate on your vehicle, even if it is damaged or lost. This can lead to major consequences, including —

• Traffic fine - AED 3,000
• 24 black points against your driving licence
• Vehicle confiscation for 90 days

This is why it’s important to know the replacement procedure. With that clear, we will now understand how to replace lost/damaged number plates in Dubai. 

How to Replace a Damaged/Lost Number Plate in Dubai?

A damaged or lost number plate in Dubai is not a common occurrence. The plates are made of durable material. Moreover, the roads are well-made, which reduces the chances of wear and tear. Despite all of that, it’s still important to know how to replace such number plates. You can replace damaged number plates in Dubai through the following modes —

• Online via the RTA website or the RTA Dubai app
• Offline at Customer Happiness Centre, Vehicle Registration, and Inspection Centres

Online Procedure

To replace a damaged or lost number plate in Dubai, follow the steps below —

• Step1- Visit RTA’s official website
• Step2- Log into your account using your UAE Pass 
• Step3- Select the vehicle with a lost/damaged number plate 
• Step4- Choose the lost or damaged number plate — front, rear, or both
• Step5- If you have lost both the number plates, you can choose to replace them with another number
• Step6- If you are replacing damaged number plates, select the design and the centre where you will exchange the old plates with the new ones 
• Step7- Agree to the terms and conditions and pay the applicable fees
• Step8- You will receive an ownership certificate and receipts digitally 

Note – In case of damage, hand over the old number plates and get the new ones within 14 days. This ensures that your application is not cancelled. 

You can also replace the damaged or lost number plates in Dubai through the RTA Dubai mobile app or Mahboub Chatbot. 

Offline Procedure

If you’re not comfortable with handling the lost or damaged number plate online, you can visit any Customer Happiness Centre or Inspection Centre. Here’s what you would need to do next —

• Step1- Head to the front desk 
• Step2- The concerned personnel will send you a link to the requested service 
• Step3- You will need to upload the required documents on this link 
• Step4- After this, you will get receive a transaction code
• Step5- Submit this code to the front-desk employee to complete the process
• Step6- Check and sign the application electronically
• Step7- Pay the necessary fees
• Step8- You will get a payment receipt with a list of centres from which you can collect the plates 

Note – If your number plate is damaged, exchange the old one with the new one and get the ownership certificate. 

Charges for Number Plate Replacement Dubai

Here are the major costs associated with number plate replacement in Dubai —

• Short plate – AED 35
• Short classical plate – AED 150
• Motorcycle short plate – AED 25
• Expo-branded plate – AED 100
• Vehicle registration card – AED 50
• Long plate – AED 50
• Long classical plate – AED 150
• Luxury plate – AED 500
• Dubai-branded plate – AED 200
• Knowledge and innovation fees – + AED 20

Documents for Replacing Damaged/Lost Number Plate

Here is the list of documents required for lost or damaged number plate replacement —

Citizens, GCC Nationals, and Residents

1. Emirates ID
2. A letter from the police if the number plate is lost

Commercial Companies

1. Emirates ID
2. Letter from the company
3. A letter from the police if the number plate gets lost

Companies (Free Zone)

1. Emirates ID
2. Letter from the company
3. A letter from the police if the number plates are lost
4. Letter from the free-zone authority in Dubai Media City, Jafza, and Dubai Airport

Local or Federal Governmental or Semi-Governmental Entities 

1. Emirates ID of the authorised person
2. A letter from the governmental entity
3. A letter from the police if the number plates are lost

Diplomatic Bodies 

1. Emirates ID
2. A letter from the police if the number plates get lost
3. Letter from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Things to Keep in Mind for Replacing Damaged/Lost Number Plate in Dubai

Before you start number plate replacement in Dubai, familiarise yourself with the following terms and conditions —

• You or your legal representative should be present in person if you’re doing the replacement process through the centre
• If you lose the number plate in one of the GCC nations, you should submit the lost report stamped by that country’s police department
• In case of a damaged number plate replacement, hand over the old damaged plate to the centre in exchange for the new one.

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