Templates › Gulf countries › Automotive
Vehicle Registration (تسجيل المركبة)
Register a new or used car in your name in the Gulf: check the requirements, insure it, pass the technical inspection, transfer ownership, pay fees and get plates and the registration card. Authorities, inspection rules and fees vary by emirate and country.
- Gulf countries
- ~9 days
- 9 steps
- 4 documents
Curated by Raaya · Last reviewed Oct 2026
Steps
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Check registration requirements
1 dayVehicles are registered by the emirate where you live: the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) in Dubai, Abu Dhabi Police and TAMM in Abu Dhabi, and Ministry of Interior traffic departments in the other emirates. You need a traffic file, a valid Emirates ID and residence, and a valid UAE driving licence. Imported vehicles must meet Gulf specifications or have the required compliance documents.
Other Gulf countries: Saudi Arabia registers vehicles (Istimara) through the General Department of Traffic with transfers on Absher. Qatar uses the MOI Traffic Department and Metrash. Bahrain uses the General Directorate of Traffic, Kuwait the MOI General Traffic Department (Sahel app), and Oman the Royal Oman Police.
Tip: Sign in to the RTA app with UAE PASS now; most of the process can be done there.
- Online
- rta.ae
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Collect the documents
1 dayFor a used car you need the buyer's and seller's Emirates IDs, the seller's registration card, and a mortgage release from the bank if the car was financed. For a new car the dealer usually provides the customs or manufacturer certificate and the invoice. If you will finance the car, the bank registers its mortgage on the vehicle.
RTA notes that powers of attorney issued outside the UAE must be attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Other Gulf countries: Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and Oman require the Iqama, QID, CPR, Civil ID or resident card, the driving licence and proof of ownership or the sale record.
Tip: Ask the seller for service records and the original keys before you agree a price.
Valid passport copyEmirates ID cardUAE driving licenceBank mortgage release (if financed) -
Run pre-purchase checks
1 dayBefore paying for a used car, make sure it can be transferred. All traffic fines on the vehicle must be settled, any bank loan must be released, and the registration must not be blocked. Get an independent mechanical inspection and check the accident history where available.
Other Gulf countries: in Saudi Arabia check outstanding violations and periodic inspection status on Absher; in Qatar on Metrash; in Kuwait on Sahel; in Bahrain and Oman through the traffic department portals.
Tip: Do not hand over full payment until the transfer is complete in the system.
- Seller has cleared all traffic fines
- Bank mortgage release issued if financed
- Chassis number matches the registration card
- Independent mechanical check done
- Gulf-spec or compliance documents for imports
- Agree price and payment method in writing
Bank mortgage release (if financed) -
Insure the vehicle
1 dayBuy at least third-party motor insurance before registration; the policy is sent electronically to the traffic system. Comprehensive cover protects your own car too, and lenders usually require it. Check whether the policy covers Oman if you plan to drive there.
Other Gulf countries: valid motor insurance is required for registration in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and Oman; insurers upload it to the traffic system.
Tip: Compare quotes based on the exact car and chassis number; prices can differ a lot.
- Online
- rta.ae
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Pass the technical inspection
1 dayTake the vehicle to an approved testing centre for the technical inspection. RTA lists a new vehicle registration test fee of AED 120 for light vehicles; used vehicles also need a passing test before transfer, and renewals require a test depending on vehicle age. The result is recorded electronically.
Other Gulf countries: Saudi Arabia requires periodic technical inspection (MVPI) for most vehicles; Qatar uses Fahes inspection centres; Bahrain, Kuwait and Oman inspect at traffic department or approved centres.
Tip: Fix warning lights, tyres and windscreen cracks before the test to avoid a retest.
- Where
- Approved vehicle testing centre · Bring the vehicle, Emirates ID and insurance. Technical inspection; result recorded electronically.
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Transfer ownership online
1 dayFor a used car in Dubai, the seller logs in with UAE PASS, settles fines, enters the buyer's details, and both sign the sale and purchase agreement electronically. The agreement is valid for 14 days before it is cancelled automatically, so have insurance and inspection ready. For a new car, the dealer usually starts the registration.
Other Gulf countries: Saudi Arabia transfers ownership through Absher with both parties approving; Qatar via Metrash; Kuwait via Sahel; Bahrain and Oman through the traffic portals or service centres.
Tip: Complete insurance and inspection on the same day the agreement is signed to stay well within the 14 days.
- Online
- rta.ae
Emirates ID card -
Pay registration and plate fees
1 dayPay the registration and plate fees. In Dubai, RTA lists AED 350 to register a light vehicle, AED 35 for a short plate and AED 50 for a long plate, AED 50 for the sale and purchase agreement and AED 20 in knowledge and innovation fees. Special plates cost more. Other emirates have their own fee schedules.
Other Gulf countries: pay through Absher (Saudi Arabia), Metrash (Qatar), Sahel (Kuwait), bahrain.bh (Bahrain) or ROP online services (Oman).
Tip: Keep the receipt with the vehicle documents until the permanent card arrives.
- Fee
- AED 350 · RTA Dubai light vehicle registration fee
- Fee
- AED 35 · RTA short number plate (long plate AED 50)
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Collect plates and fit them
1 dayIn Dubai, ownership passes to the buyer after the seller hands in the old plates. Collect new plates at an RTA service centre or approved testing centre and have them fitted, then download the digital registration card (mulkiya) in the RTA app. A printed card can be delivered.
Other Gulf countries: plates are issued by the traffic department or approved centres in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and Oman.
Tip: Check that the plate number on the car matches the registration card before you drive away.
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Set a reminder for annual renewal
1 dayVehicle registration is renewed every year. RTA renewal requires a passing technical test where applicable, valid insurance and payment of any fines; you can then renew online and print a temporary card. Driving with an expired registration is an offence.
Other Gulf countries: Saudi Istimara and periodic inspection, Qatar registration (Metrash), Kuwait (Sahel), Bahrain and Oman registrations each have their own renewal intervals; check the expiry on your card.
Tip: Renew insurance and registration together so both expire on the same date.
Documents you'll need
| Valid passport copy | Sometimes requested by dealers and financiers alongside the Emirates ID. |
|---|---|
| Emirates ID card | Valid Emirates IDs for buyer and seller are required for the ownership change. |
| UAE driving licence | A valid UAE licence is needed to register a vehicle in your name. |
| Bank mortgage release (if financed) | Needed if the seller financed the car; issued by the lending bank after the loan is settled. |
Official sources
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General guidance, not legal, tax or immigration advice. Rules change; confirm with the official source before you act.