Import JDM & Right-Hand-Drive Classic Cars to UAE: Rules, Costs & Insurance (2026)

You can import a right-hand-drive car into the UAE, but cannot register most of them. The RTA says this on its own registration page. A right-hand-drive vehicle cannot be registered in Dubai unless it has a classical plate. So the whole thing comes down to one number: the year your car was built. If it is 1996 or earlier, you have a legal way to drive it here. If it is newer, you can still buy the car and own it. You just cannot take it on public roads.

Can You Legally Import a Right-Hand-Drive Car into the UAE?

Yes, importing is legal. Registering the car for daily road use is not.The UAE treats ownership and registration as two separate things. Customs will clear an RHD car. The licensing authority will still refuse it a normal plate. The only road-legal route is the classic category.

What You Want to Do	Allowed?	The Condition
Import an RHD or JDM car into the UAE	Yes	Clear customs, and pay the duty and VAT
Own it and keep it in your garage	Yes	No age limit on ownership
Register it for normal daily driving	No	The UAE drives on the right
Register it as a classic	Yes	The car must be over 30 years old and pass the classic test
Register a converted RHD-to-LHD car	No	RTA treats shifted steering the same as RHD
Store it, show it, or re-export it	Yes	The route most traders use

Why Does the UAE Refuse Right-Hand-Drive Registration?

Traffic moves on the right here. From the right-hand seat, a driver sees less of the road when overtaking and reacts later. The RTA ended registration of RHD vehicles to remove that risk. Ahmed Hashim Bahrouzyan, then Chief Executive Officer of the RTA Licensing Agency, said the step aimed at “boosting road safety levels” and cutting the danger these vehicles pose to other road users.

The same decision covers cars whose steering has been moved from right to left. A conversion does not change the answer.

Which JDM Cars Qualify as Classics in the UAE in 2026?

A vehicle must be more than 30 years old. In 2026, that means a manufacturing year of 1996 or earlier. This is the single check to make before you bid on anything. The inspection centre reads the build year on the chassis, not the model generation. A car built in December 1996 and the same model built in January 1997 get different answers.

JDM Model	Production Years	Status in 2026
Nissan Skyline GT-R R32	1989–1994	Qualifies — all build years
Nissan Skyline GT-R R33	1995–1998	Only 1995 and 1996 builds qualify
Nissan Skyline GT-R R34	1999–2002	Not eligible until 2029 at the earliest
Toyota Supra A80 (2JZ)	1993–2002	Only 1993–1996 builds qualify
Mazda RX-7 FD3S	1991–2002	Only 1991–1996 builds qualify
Honda NSX NA1	1990–1997	Qualifies up to 1996 builds
Nissan Silvia S13	1988–1993	Qualifies — all build years
Nissan Silvia S14	1993–1998	Only 1993–1996 builds qualify
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution I–III	1992–1996	Qualifies — all build years
Toyota Chaser / Mark II JZX90	1992–1996	Qualifies — all build years

What Does the RTA Classic Inspection Check?

It checks two things: whether the car is original and whether it is safe. The visual check looks at body, chassis, engine, and interior originality. Heavy modification works against you. The safety check is a full technical test.

1. Brakes, measured on a roller test bench
2. Steering play and suspension condition
3. Lights, indicators, and electrical systems
4. Tyre condition and tread depth
5. Exhaust emissions
6. Seat belts, horn, and wipers
7. Chassis condition and absence of unapproved modifications

The classic test costs AED 420 plus the AED 20 knowledge and innovation fee. Since 2 June 2025, booking an inspection slot through the RTA Dubai app or website is mandatory. Walk-in service is available at some centres for an extra AED 100.

Not every testing centre runs classic tests. Book the classic slot specifically, not a standard light-vehicle slot.

How Does Abu Dhabi Handle Classic Car Registration?

Abu Dhabi uses two categories for classic car registration:

Category	Registration Period	New Fee	Renewal Fee	Condition
Road use	1 year	AED 400	AED 350	Pass the technical test and hold 13-month motor insurance
Exhibition only	3 years	AED 1,100	AED 1,050	Registration card states the car is not allowed on roads

Driver and vehicle licensing in Abu Dhabi now sits with Abu Dhabi Mobility, the emirate's transport regulator under the Department of Municipalities and Transport. These services moved across from Abu Dhabi Police. A classic registered in one emirate must be renewed with the licensing authority of that emirate. Plan for that before you choose where to register.

How Much Does it Cost to Import a Classic to the UAE in 2026?

Government fees are small and fixed. Shipping, clearing, and the car itself are where the money goes.

Cost item	Amount	Who Charges It
Customs duty	5% of CIF value	Dubai Customs (GCC Common Customs Tariff)
VAT	5% of CIF plus duty	Federal Tax Authority
Vehicle Clearance Certificate	AED 30 per vehicle	Dubai Customs
MoIAT product status statement	AED 200	Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology
Classic technical inspection	AED 420 + AED 20	RTA (via testing centres)
Classic vehicle registration	AED 400	RTA
Classical plate (short or long)	AED 150	RTA
Knowledge and innovation fee	AED 20 per transaction	RTA
Clearing agent, port handling, transport	Varies by shipment	Private providers

Which Imported Cars Will the UAE Never Accept?

MoIAT runs a licensing system for imported used vehicles that blocks seven categories from being imported, licensed, or insured.

1. Burnt-out vehicles
2. Scrapped vehicles
3. Flooded vehicles
4. Disassembled or dismantled vehicles
5. Vehicles damaged beyond repair
6. Vehicles with major manufacturing defects

Frequently asked questions