Transferring car ownership in Dubai is handled by the RTA (Roads and Transport Authority), and the process is faster than most people expect - as long as your paperwork is in order. This 2026 guide covers exactly what the buyer and seller each need, the fees involved, and the step-by-step process.
Before you start: clear the basics
Ownership cannot be transferred until these are settled:
- Outstanding fines - all traffic fines on the car must be paid.
- Finance / bank loan - any loan against the car must be cleared and a release (no-objection) letter obtained.
- Valid insurance - the buyer must arrange insurance in their own name before transfer.
- Vehicle test - a car more than three years old, or one whose registration is near expiry, usually needs to pass a technical inspection.
Documents you need
- Original registration card (Mulkiya).
- Emirates ID of both buyer and seller (or trade licence for a dealer).
- New insurance certificate in the buyer's name.
- The number plates (unless the seller is keeping a personalised plate).
Step-by-step RTA transfer process
- Agree the sale and confirm the car is free of fines and finance.
- Buyer buys insurance in their name for the car.
- Visit an RTA centre or approved service centre (such as Tasjeel) together, or use the authorised channels for the transfer.
- Pass the vehicle test if the car is over three years old or its registration is expiring.
- Pay the transfer and registration fees at the counter.
- Receive the new Mulkiya in the buyer's name - ownership is now transferred.
How much does it cost?
For a light vehicle the transfer fee is AED 350, and a typical all-in total lands between AED 400 and AED 480 once the inspection and plate fees are added. Insurance is a separate, larger cost paid to your insurer.
| Item | Fee (AED) |
|---|---|
| Transfer, light vehicle | 350 |
| Transfer, motorcycle | 200 |
| Transfer, private vehicle 3 to 12 tonnes | 400 |
| Transfer, heavy vehicle | up to 800 |
| Technical inspection, cars over 3 years | 170 |
| Knowledge and Innovation fee | 20 |
| Number plates, short / long | 35 / 50 |
| Ownership certificate to retain a plate | 100 |
All figures above are as published by AlbaCars on 23 April 2026. Fees are set by the RTA and change without much notice, so confirm the current schedule on the RTA website before you budget.
Worth settling explicitly in the sale agreement: who pays. There is no rule. In practice the buyer usually covers the transfer fee because they receive the new registration, but plenty of private sales split it, and an unspoken assumption here sours an otherwise finished deal at the counter.
Keeping your number plate
If the plate matters to you, and in the UAE it often does, you do not have to let it go with the car. Per the same April 2026 breakdown, the seller can buy an ownership certificate for the plate at AED 100 and reassign it to another vehicle, while the buyer takes new plates at AED 35 for short or AED 50 for long. Distinctive and custom plates run considerably higher, up to around AED 500 for premium formats.
Decide this before the transfer, not during it. Reassigning a plate after the fact is a separate process and a second trip. If you are curious what a plate is actually worth, CarsClub lists number plates for sale across the Emirates.
Five mistakes that waste a morning
First, unpaid fines: check them the week before, not the morning of. Second, the buyer turning up without insurance already active, which is the single most common failure. Third, an expired Mulkiya: if registration has lapsed, renew it before transferring. Fourth, a financed car with no bank NOC in hand. Fifth, skipping the inspection on a car over three years old and assuming it can be done on the spot. It can, but not reliably on a busy morning.
A sixth, less obvious one: handing over keys before the transfer completes. Until the new Mulkiya is issued, fines and liability remain yours.
Tips to avoid delays and fines
- Check the car's fines and history first - run a VIN check before you buy.
- Never hand over money before confirming the seller can clear any finance.
- Transfer ownership on the same day as payment - driving an unfinished-transfer car leaves you liable for the previous owner's fines.
Frequently asked questions
Can I transfer car ownership in Dubai online?
Some steps can be done through RTA's digital channels, but a vehicle inspection (when due) and plate handling usually require a centre visit. Check the current RTA process before you go.
Who pays the transfer fee - buyer or seller?
It is negotiable, but in practice the buyer usually pays the transfer and registration fees as part of taking ownership.
Do I need a new insurance policy to transfer?
Yes - the buyer must have valid insurance in their own name before the RTA will complete the transfer.
Selling or buying? Start with a clean, inspected car - browse used cars on CarsClub, read our guide to buying a used car in Dubai, and check finance options with our car loan calculator.
