Complete guide to RTA Dubai
The Roads and Transport Authority, also known as the RTA, is the main government transport authority in the emirate of Dubai. A department of the Government of Dubai, the RTA provides and plans the requirements of transport, traffic and roads in the city, between other emirates and neighbouring countries for an integrated and effective transport system.
In this post, we will be discussing the different services offered by the RTA and how residents can make the most of them, including parking permits, paying traffic fines, applying for driver licenses and more.
Services for drivers and car owners
RTA Dubai has introduced a comprehensive list of services to make it easier for vehicle owners and drivers to apply necessary permits that legally allow them to drive in the city. Apart from managing the RTA bus network, the Dubai Metro, Dubai Tram and other means of public transportation, RTA also offers several services for residents to manage their travel in and around the city.
This includes paying Dubai parking fines, registering for Salik, applying for parking and licensing services as well as others.
RTA Fines
How do I check and pay for Dubai traffic fines through the RTA?
Paying traffic fines in Dubai is an easy 4-step process. All you need to do is search for your fines, review the results, make the necessary confirmation and pay the fine through the RTA website. You can get the details regarding your particular fine by using your plate details, license number, fine number and traffic file number. A guide for checking traffic fines in Dubai is available on MyBayut.
Salik
What is Salik and how do I apply for it?
Launched by the Roads and Transport Authority in 2007, Salik is an electronic toll gate system. Salik toll gates are fitted with sensors and deduct toll amounts as cars, with Salik tags on the windshields, pass by them. Drivers can register for these tags, purchase and renew tags and recharge Salik accounts through the RTA official website. Our complete guide to Salik will give you a better idea of the process.
What is the Salik exemption for People of Determination (PoD)?
People of Determination can apply for Salik road toll fee exemptions by providing the necessary documentation as determined by the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority. The exemption only applies to one vehicle, however, it can be transferred to another vehicle after the cancellation of the previous vehicle if requested by the owner. The validity lasts for one year and the owner must renew the exemption on an annual basis to avoid violations.
Licensing services
How do I apply for a driving license?
This service allows motorists to apply for, renew or replace lost/damaged driving permits. Personal and occupational vehicles are covered by the service with personalised portals catering to each specific department. Applications are successfully processed provided that applicants fulfil the requirements and provide the necessary documents and fees at RTA service centres or approved driving centres in Dubai. You can find a complete list of driving centres, service charges and required documentation for your particular requirement on the RTA website.
How do I renew my driving license?
You can renew your driving license easily through the RTA’s website or its smart application. The same can also be done through RTA outlets, Dubai driving institutes and through approved optical stores.
Parking Services
What are the different parking permits from the RTA?
In a bid to regulate parking in Dubai, the RTA focuses on increased parking rotation and providing free services for certain residents and visitors. The most popular services regarding permits include applications for advertising of vehicles, parking permits for senior Emiratis, permanent parking for people of determination and more. Here is an overview of parking services by the RTA:
- My parking/People of determination: This permit enables customers with limited and permanent disabilities to make free use of spaces designated for disabled parking in the emirate. There are two cards, temporary and permanent, that come in this category.
- My Parking/ Rehabilitation Centres for people of determination: Permits that are granted for free to disabled rehabilitation centre vehicles
- My parking/ People with determination (Tourist): This permit allows for temporary use of allocated disabled parking spaces to visitors or tourists in Dubai
- Paid parking for citizens local cards (L): This is a free permit that allows paid parking usage in controlled areas and is for locals only.
- My Parking/ Resident: This permit is granted to an area’s residents (citizens and locals) for free overnight parking.
- My parking/ Senior citizens: Applicable for motorists 60 years and above, this service allows for elderly citizens to apply for non-handicapped public parking for free.
- Permit for charged villas parking (V): The permit allows single parking space for villa visitors and is for locals or citizens only with a service charge of AED 170.
- My Parking/Special medical conditions: The service allows for the free use of designated hospital parking spaces and is granted to motorists 60 years and above by a medical committee.
What are seasonal parking cards and how do I apply for them?
Public parking spaces are charged in Dubai and drivers can pay the necessary fees through the many parking metres throughout the city. However, most residents find it easier to pay for parking with a longterm seasonal RTA parking card.
This service from the RTA enables you to obtain seasonal cards for light vehicles to use public parking spaces in Dubai according to the code on the parking plate. The service spares motorists from settling the fee every time they park. Those interested can apply for the virtual seasonal permits through the RTA website or Dubai Drive and RTA Dubai mobile apps. Each card is eligible for use in its designated area. The validity varies according to subscriptions which can be for three months, 6 months or one year.
How can I use mParking to pay parking charges in Dubai?
mParking is an e-service from the Roads and Transport Authority Dubai. The service enables motorists to pay for their virtual parking through SMS messages from their Etisalat or Du mobile phones. It’s a simple two-step process which requires customers to send texts in a predetermined format to 7275 (PARK).
Public Transport
What are Nol Cards and how can I apply for them with RTA Dubai?
Residents and visitors usually use Nol cards to use public transport to get around the city. These are smartcards issued by RTA Dubai which enable passengers to pay fares on Dubai’s transport vehicles like trams, ferries, buses, the metro, abras, Dubai water taxis and regular taxis. You can apply for Nol cards at the RTA website, a thorough explanation of which can also be found on our RTA Nol cards guide.
Business and Corporate services
The Roads and Transport Authority has separate services for businesses. Here is an overview of services in this regard:
What is E-NOC and how is driver NOC issued?
The E-NOC or (Electronic No Objection Certificate) system belongs to the Government of Dubai and is administered by the RTA for the issuance of NOCs. Applying for a driver NOC is a 4-step process and is done online on the RTA website for a service fee of AED 1,000.
Other services in the Corporate Services category in the RTA include advertising on the Dubai Tram or Dubai Metro, permits to advertise on vehicles, acquiring licenses to operate driving institutes and more.
RTA Smart Apps
The Roads and Transport Authority aims to support Dubai’s transformation into a smart city. As a result, it has introduced several smart applications which allow motorists easy access to its services based on different user categories. Smart apps for public transport users and vehicle owners differ. Our guide for RTA smart services will give you a better idea of available options.
How do I contact RTA Dubai?
Motorists in Dubai can visit RTA Customer Happiness Centres in Dubai to resolve grievances related to driving in the city or inquire about anything that isn’t covered by RTA online services. An online form on the service’s official website is also useful for filing complaints and queries.
- RTA Call Centre number: 800-9090
- Contact: +971-4-284-4444 | +971-4-605-1414 (Overseas callers 24/7)
- Email: ASK@rta.ae
That’s all for our review of RTA Dubai. The Government of Dubai is committed to making the emirate the happiest place in the world and keeps introducing initiatives by the RTA that support those goals. For example, users can propose new bus routes through the RTA app. Booking an RTA taxi in Dubai is also easy thanks to the city’s online and SMS taxi booking service.
For more information on government services in the UAE, stay tuned to MyBayut.
