How to transfer car registration from Abu Dhabi to Dubai
Transferring the ownership of a vehicle within the same emirate is typically a one-day process. For example, provided that you have done the necessary due diligence, it doesn’t take more than a few minutes for car registration in Abu Dhabi. But what if you want to sell your Abu Dhabi-registered vehicle to someone who lives in Dubai? How do you transfer the registration between the two cities? Here’s a detailed overview of how you can transfer car ownership between emirates, so you can complete the necessary processes without any complications.
How to transfer car ownership from Abu Dhabi to Dubai
When you plan on selling your vehicle registered in Abu Dhabi to someone in Dubai, the vehicle ownership has to be transferred accordingly to reflect the new legal liabilities of the vehicle owner. If you fail to do so, you may incur hefty fines and face disciplinary action. With this in mind, here is what you can do to transfer your vehicle ownership from Abu Dhabi to Dubai.
Pay all outstanding traffic fines first
You will need to ensure that the transfer is as smooth as possible. The first step is to inquire Abu Dhabi police check fine that are pending and need to be resolved. If you are unsure of what these might be, check out our list of Abu Dhabi traffic fines.
Mortgage and insurance policy must be transferred
If your car is still in mortgage, it is technically owned by the finance company and must be transferred to the new buyer through a power of attorney. Additionally, the insurance policy must also be transferred to the buyer or terminated if need be. The buyer will need to purchase a new insurance policy if it has expired.
What documents will I need to transfer car ownership?
For the transfer to be successful, both the seller and new owner are required to have certain documents.
The current owner of the vehicle must have these documents:
- Original vehicle registration card (Mulkiya)
- Passport with residence visa (original and copy)
- Original Emirates ID
- In case of car loan, confirmation of final loan payment
The new owner or buyer will need the following documents:
- Original and copy of UAE driving licence
- Original insurance certificate
- Original and copy of passport with valid residence visa
- Emirates ID
How to change car ownership in registration centres?
Vehicle registration transfers can be done either at the headquarters of the Dubai Traffic Police or an RTA (Roads and Transport Authority) licencing centre. Both the new owner and current owner of the vehicle need to be present at their chosen venue for the registration to proceed.
- Ask for a vehicle permit application, to be filled out for the new owner
- Submit the permit application and necessary documents at the registration desk
There will be a check for any outstanding fines. If any crop up, they must be paid by the original owner before the transfer can happen. Once this step is cleared, the new owner must pay the transfer fee. In case of light vehicles, the new owner will need to pay AED 350. For vehicles that weigh more than three and up to 12 tonnes, the fee is AED 400. Please visit the RTA website for a full list of charges required for transferring other types of cars.
After every process is complete, a new Mulkiya or registration card will be printed under the name of the new owner.
We hope our guide allows you to transfer car ownership between emirates easily.
Check out our guide for the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) for more information about the other services offered by the city’s transport regulator. If you are still in the capital and can’t figure out how paid parking works in the city, check out our guide to Mawaqif SMS parking in Abu Dhabi. If you are travelling from Dubai to Abu Dhabi, know your possible options, including buses and taxis.
For more updates on transport regulations in the UAE, stay tuned to MyBayut.
