Any natural or artificial person can register a vehicle in his name in the UAE, if he/she is the owner of that vehicle. It is not allowed to drive any vehicle on roads, unless it is registered according to the traffic laws, its executive regulations and decisions. Nobody is allowed to drive a vehicle on the road without having a driving licence from the competent traffic authority in the related emirate.

A vehicle can be registered in the traffic authority in each emirate of the UAE. Registration services are provided through service centres, websites or smart applications of the traffic departments of the emirates or Ministry of Interior.

For new vehicles bought from car agencies approved in the UAE, the vehicle registration process will be the responsibility of the car agency, which will finish every step of the registration process. Service channels include the following:

• MOI smart application on Google Play or Apple Store

• MOI website

• Emirates vehicle gate

• RTA smart application on Google Play or Apple Store

• RTA website

• Abu Dhabi Police

Registration steps

To register a vehicle, you should follow the following general steps:

1. Get your vehicle inspected at one of the authorised testing centres (except vehicles produced in the last three years before registration). The inspection result has to be positive.

2. Get vehicle insurance from an authorised insurer

3. Pay all fines (these may be paid with the service fees)

4. Apply for car registration through the approved registration channels mentioned above

5. Pay registration fees

6. Collect the vehicle ownership card (Mulkiya) in addition to plate numbers and the expiry date sticker.

Documents required

Documents required to register a car include the following:

1. One of the following vehicle's documents: Vehicle Clearance Certificate (VCC), transfer certificate, export certificate, possession certificate, possession transfer certificate or lost export certificate replacement (to whom it may concern certificate)
2. Original Emirates ID, passport copy and residence visa copy (for residents)
3. Electronic vehicle insurance document
4. In case of a mortgaged vehicle, the customer must electronically add the mortgage
5. Valid diplomatic ID + letter from Ministry of Foreign Affairs (for diplomats)
6. An official letter in Arabic, a copy of the trade licence, endorsement of signature and authorisation letter (for companies).