How to Transfer Your Car Ownership & Registration in the UAE?

Every detail — from traffic fines to bank loan status — affects whether the transfer is approved on the first attempt. If you’re a buyer, one oversight can delay your registration. Even if you’re a seller, it can keep the car legally under your name even after handing it over.

When Should You Start the Process of Car Ownership & Registration?

Most people start thinking about the transfer only after they’ve shaken hands on the deal. However, the right time to begin is before you even finalise the sale. If you’re a seller, the moment you decide to list your car is when you should check your fines, bank loan status, and car testing requirements. If you’re a buyer, you should understand the process clearly so you don’t end up paying for a car that still shows under someone else’s name.

To make this easier, here are a few examples that help you understand when the transfer actually begins — 

1. Example 1: You’ve agreed to sell your Dubai-registered car to a friend. Before heading to RTA, you must settle your fines, clear any loan, and get the vehicle inspection done. This is where your journey of how to transfer car ownership in Dubai truly starts.
2. Example 2: You’re buying a used SUV in Abu Dhabi. You and the seller must be ready with IDs, car testing results, and insurance before you initiate the process of vehicle ownership transfer Abu Dhabi on TAMM.
3. Example 3: You’re purchasing a car from another Emirate. Here, a few extra steps apply, including exporting the car from one Emirate and completing a fresh registration in the other.

Simply put, the transfer begins the moment you decide to buy or sell — not when you walk into the service centre. Recognising this early helps you avoid unexpected delays, extra costs, and problems linked to car ownership transfer Dubai fees or vehicle transfer charges in Abu Dhabi later in the process.

Clearing the Basics Before You Start the Car Ownership Transfer

Before you begin any kind of transfer — whether it’s how to transfer car ownership in Dubai through RTA or a vehicle ownership transfer Abu Dhabi via TAMM — there are 3 essential checks you must complete. These steps look simple, but missing even one of them can stop the process right at the counter.

1. Clear All Traffic Fines and Salik Dues: Your transfer will not move forward if there is even one unpaid fine linked to the car or plate number. Many people only realise this when the system refuses the application. To avoid delays, check and clear everything online or at a nearby police station before you schedule the transfer.
2. Close or Transfer Any Outstanding Car Loan: If your car is financed, the bank must clear the loan or give an NOC so the loan can be transferred to the buyer. Without this, RTA or TAMM won’t let you transfer the car. This step is needed for all transfers, whether in Dubai or Abu Dhabi.
3. Get the Car Tested at an Approved Centre: Every used car must pass a technical inspection. The test is quick, but it must be done at an approved centre. You’ll need the pass report for your documents. If you need a new number plate, you’ll hand over the old one at this stage.

How to Transfer Car Ownership in UAE?

Once you’ve cleared your fines, settled your loan, and passed the inspection, you can start the transfer. There are 4 main ways to complete the process in the UAE, each for different situations.

1. How to Transfer Car Ownership in Dubai (Via RTA)

This is the most commonly used route. You can complete the transfer online through RTA’s website, the Dubai Drive app, or by visiting an RTA Customer Happiness Centre.

Here’s how it works — 

• Log in using your UAE Pass
• Select ‘Change Ownership’ under vehicle licensing
• Pick the vehicle you want to transfer
• The system verifies your identity through your registered mobile number
• Pay the required car ownership transfer Dubai fees online
• Both you and the buyer receive a link to sign the sale agreement
• The seller hands over or submits the plate within the allowed window
• Complete the new registration at the service centre and collect the new card/plate

📓This route is the fastest for Dubai-based transfers and works smoothly if all your documents are ready.

2. Car Ownership Transfer Abu Dhabi (Via TAMM)

For Abu Dhabi residents, TAMM makes the entire vehicle ownership transfer Abu Dhabi process simple and digital.

Steps — 

• Log in through UAE Pass on the TAMM website
• Submit the ownership transfer request
• Upload all required documents
• Pay the vehicle transfer charges in Abu Dhabi
• Receive confirmation once the process is complete

📓The buyer receives the updated registration automatically once the request is approved.

3. Transfer via the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA)

This route is mainly for diplomats and embassy vehicles. You submit the request on MOFA’s website, attach your documents, and wait for approval from the Diplomatic Corps Licensing Office.

4. Transfer via the Ministry of Interior (MOI)

This federal method works for cars registered across different Emirates.How Does it Work?

• Visit MOI’s website
• Select ‘Vehicle Ownership Transfer’
• Enter the plate number and buyer’s traffic code
• Choose whether you want a new plate or to reserve the old one
• Enter the OTP sent to both the seller and buyer
• Pay the fees and complete the request

📓Once processed, the new ownership details and receipt are issued instantly.

Car Ownership Transfer Fees in Dubai

Knowing the exact fees helps you plan your transfer and avoid surprises, especially when you’re checking car ownership transfer Dubai fees or comparing them with charges in Abu Dhabi. The fees depend on the type of vehicle you’re transferring.

Category	Type of Vehicle	Transfer Fee* (AED)	Useful For
Daily Use Vehicles	Light private vehicle	350	Most common vehicle ownership transfer fee Dubai
	Light public vehicle	350	Taxi/fleet cars
Medium & Commercial Loads	Private vehicle (3–12 tonnes)	400	Pickup trucks, delivery vehicles
	Public vehicle (3–12 tonnes)	650	Commercial fleets
Heavy Duty Vehicles	Private vehicle (12+ tonnes)	800	Heavy transport
	Public vehicle (12+ tonnes)	1,000	Logistics/freight companies
Equipment	Light mechanical equipment	500	Construction/light machinery
	Public light mechanical equipment	700	Govt/municipal machinery
	Heavy mechanical equipment	800	Cranes/heavy equipment
	Public heavy mechanical equipment	1,000	Large industrial machinery
Passenger Transport	Bus (14–26 passengers)	300	School/company buses
	Bus (26+ passengers)	600	Large buses
Others	Trailer / semi-trailer	120	Tow/transport trailers
	Motorcycle	200	Motorbikes/scooters
Admin Fee	Selling agreement	50	Mandatory for all transfers

Important No matter what category your vehicle falls under, there is always a small administrative charge. This is the selling agreement fee, which is AED 50. 

*For reference only — actual fees may vary

Documents You’ll Need for a Smooth Car Ownership Transfer

Before you begin the transfer (whether it’s how to transfer car ownership in Dubai or a vehicle ownership transfer Abu Dhabi), you should prepare a full set of documents. Think of this like your ‘don’t leave home without it’ list. 

1. Seller’s Checklist: What You Must Carry

You Need These if You’re the Current Owner — 

• ✔ Emirates ID
• ✔ Mulkiya (the current car registration card)
• ✔ Your driving licence
• ✔ Passport + residence visa (only if the car was bought on loan)
• ✔ Final loan clearance paper from the bank
• ✔ Bank NOC (if the buyer is taking over your loan)

If any one of these is missing, the transfer won’t move ahead, especially during fee payment like car ownership transfer Dubai fees.

2. Buyer’s Checklist: What You Must Bring

If You’re the New Owner, Prepare — 

• ✔ Emirates ID (original + a copy)
• ✔ Driving licence (original + a copy)
• ✔ Passport + residence visa (original + a copy)
• ✔ For diplomats: Diplomat card + MOFA approval letter

These are mandatory whether you’re transferring in Dubai or completing a car ownership transfer Abu Dhabi request via TAMM.

3. Additional Documents Required for Any Transfer

These are needed no matter who you are or where the vehicle is registered —

• ✔ Technical inspection pass certificate
• ✔ Valid insurance papers
• ✔ Police report (only if the number plate is lost or stolen)

These papers are checked before calculating any vehicle transfer charges in Abu Dhabi or vehicle ownership transfer fee Dubai.

New Registration After Your Car Ownership Transfer in the UAE

Once the ownership transfer is approved, the final step is issuing the new registration under the buyer’s name. This is the moment when the vehicle officially becomes yours. The process is the same whether you’re researching on how to transfer car ownership in Dubai or finishing a vehicle ownership transfer Abu Dhabi request.

1. What the Buyer Receives After Transfer

As soon as the transfer is processed, the buyer gets a complete set of new registration documents that prove the vehicle has changed hands —

• New registration card (Mulkiya)
• New number plate (if chosen or required)
• Expiry sticker for the current registration
• Ownership certificate

📋These documents are issued after the system confirms that the fees, such as vehicle ownership transfer fee Dubai or vehicle transfer charges in Abu Dhabi, have been settled.

2. Number Plate Cost Breakdown

Number plate fees depend on the size and style you choose. Here’s a clear breakdown — 

Type of Plate	Cost (AED)
Small plate	35
Long plate	50
Dubai-branded plate	200
Luxury plate	500

📋Whether you’re in Dubai or Abu Dhabi, the plate cost is separate from the main transfer fees.

3. A Quick Reminder Before You Leave the Counter

• Make sure the registration sticker is pasted correctly on the rear plate
• Check that your name and vehicle details are printed accurately on the new Mulkiya
• Keep digital and physical copies of your new documents

When the Seller and Buyer are in Different Emirates (Dubai ↔ Abu Dhabi & More)

When a car is being sold across Emirates, the transfer becomes slightly different. The UAE follows two systems — a federal system used by most Emirates and Dubai’s independent system. Due to this, transferring a car from one Emirate to another needs a few extra steps. 

Step 1: Unregister the Car in the Original Emirate First

If a car is registered in Dubai and the buyer lives in Abu Dhabi, the vehicle must be unregistered from Dubai before it can move.

• All fines must be cleared
• Any bank loan must be closed or an NOC must be obtained
• Only then can the vehicle be marked for export

Step 2: Transporting the Car to the New Emirate

Once the car is unregistered, it cannot be driven on UAE roads. The car, thus, has to be moved using a recovery truck.

• Dubai RTA does not issue number plates for exported cars
• Transport cost should not exceed AED 500 between neighbouring Emirates

Step 3: Registering the Car in the New Emirate

After the car reaches the buyer’s Emirate —

• The buyer must buy a new car insurance policy
• The vehicle must be registered under the buyer’s name
• All applicable fees, such as vehicle transfer charges in Abu Dhabi or vehicle ownership transfer fee Dubai, must be paid

Once this is complete, the ownership transfer is officially done.

Simple Example to Understand This Better Imagine you’re selling your Dubai-registered car to a buyer in Abu Dhabi: You settle fines and clear the loan Dubai marks the vehicle as exported You send the car by recovery truck The buyer registers it fresh in Abu Dhabi

Points to Remember for a Hassle-Free Vehicle Ownership Transfer

Before you start the transfer, keep these quick points in mind —

1. Both buyer and seller must be physically present for the transfer
2. If one person can't attend, a legal representative with a valid POA can go in their place 
3. Once a car is unregistered for export, you cannot drive it — it must be moved by a recovery truck
4. Dubai RTA doesn’t issue temporary plates for exported vehicles within the UAE
5. Transport cost for recovery trucks should not exceed AED 500 between nearby Emirates
6. Your transfer request must include all services together — registration, transfer, export (if needed)
7. No transfer begins until fines, Salik dues, and loans are fully cleared
8. Technical inspection must be passed before calculating car ownership transfer Dubai fees or vehicle transfer charges in Abu Dhabi
9. New car insurance under the buyer’s name is mandatory before issuing the new registration

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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