How to Renew a Vehicle Licence in Dubai? All 5 Different Ways

All car owners must renew their registration every year to drive legally on Dubai’s roads.

If you get caught driving with an expired registration, you’ll have to pay a fine of AED 500 and get four black points on your license. In the meantime, the police can take your car until you get everything sorted out. The positive side is that Dubai’s RTA has made the whole process easier by adding a lot of new options.

You can now renew your subscription online, through mobile apps, at customer service centers, or even by phone. When you’re ready, the whole thing usually takes 10 to 30 minutes.

Smart Renewal also lets you process eligible vehicles right away.

Table of Contents

When Do You Need to Renew Your Vehicle License in Dubai?

Your car needs a new license every single year in Dubai. Alod, the renewal date sits right there on your current registration card. In most cases, it’s exactly one year from the last time you renewed.

The best part is that you can renew your Dubai visa up to 149 days early. That’s almost five months! So, if your license runs out in December, you can actually renew it in July.

But what if you’re behind schedule? Dubai gives you 30 days after your vehicle license expires to use it. However, you absolutely cannot drive during these 30 days.

In fact, until you figure things out, your car is basically just an expensive lawn ornament.

Here are some quick ways to check your expiration date:

Check your registration card; it’s right there on the card.
Look at the Dubai Drive app.
Go to the RTA website.
Wait for RTA to send you a reminder text (they’re pretty good at this).

What Documents Do You Need for Vehicle Registration Renewal?

The four things you need for Dubai vehicle license renewal are:

The original Emirates ID (not a copy; they want the real one)
Your current vehicle registration card (Mulkiya)
Car insurance that is still good (needs to be valid for at least 6–12 months)
Vehicle inspection certificate (only if your car is over 3 years old)

There are extra requirements for some people that include:

Diplomats need:

A valid Emirates ID (if they have one)
A copy of the diplomatic passport
A valid diplomatic card
A letter from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that is valid for at least 6 months

GCC citizens must have:

Their Emirates ID and the usual papers are all they need.
People who own commercial vehicles must have:
More paperwork for a trade license
Proof of business insurance
Sometimes, extra safety certificates

How Much Does Vehicle License Renewal Cost in Dubai?

Vehicle license renewal costs depend on what you’re driving.

Main Vehicle Categories License Renewal Cost

Vehicle Type	Renewal Fee	Re-inspection Fee
Light Vehicles (Cars)	AED 350	AED 50
Heavy Vehicles (Private)	AED 400-800	AED 75
Heavy Vehicles (Public)	AED 650-1,000	AED 75
Motorcycles	AED 200
Buses (14-26 seats)	AED 300
Buses (27+ seats)	AED 600
Trailers	AED 120

The extras that add up include:

Knowledge and Innovation Fee: AED 20 (everyone pays this)
Vehicle inspection: AED 150-200 (cars over 3 years)
Courier delivery: AED 25 (if you want it delivered)
Late penalty: AED 10 per month (max AED 500)

Let’s say you drive a regular sedan that’s 4 years old. You’ll pay AED 350 for renewal + AED 20 for innovation fees + AED 150 for inspection = AED 520 total. It is not too bad, considering it’s valid for a whole year.

But if you miss your deadline, you’ll pay AED 10 for every month you’re late. After just two years of delay, you’ve hit the maximum penalty of AED 500. That’s more than the renewal fee itself!

What Are the 5 Ways to Renew Your Vehicle License in Dubai?

Dubai gives you five different paths to renew your car registration. Each method works perfectly fine, but some suit different lifestyles better than others. Let’s walk through each one step by step.

Method 1: Vehicle Licence Renewal Through the RTA Website

You should choose your account type first.

First, go to the RTA website and then go to this section, Renew and Amend Vehicle Data Ownership.

Then click on Apply Now.

When you get to the renewal page, you’ll see two big choices in front of you:

Individual Account: This is for people like you and me.
Company Account: This is clearly for businesses.

Just click on the one that fits you. Most people will want to click the Individual Account button on the left.

Type in your Emirates ID number, Traffic File Number, and the date your Emirates ID expires.

You can also just click “Sign in with UAE PASS” (this is much faster).

Once you log in, the system will automatically show you information about your vehicle.

You’ll be able to see all the information about your car, and you just need to make sure everything looks good.

Standard renewal fee: 350 AED for regular cars
Fee for Knowledge and Innovation: +20 AED
Total: 370 AED typically

Method 2: Dubai Drive Mobile App

Sometimes, the app works better than the website. Plus, you can renew your subscription while you’re at a coffee shop.

Download “Dubai Drive” from App Store or Google Play (it’s free and official)
Open the app and tap “RTA Services” on the main screen
Go to “My Vehicles” and then click “Renew Vehicles.”
Carefully fill out the information about your car and your Emirates ID number.
Pick a date and a way to get the package that works for you.
Use the app’s safe payment system to pay with your credit card.
Take a screenshot of your digital certificate and save the information about the expiration sticker.

Mobile bonus: The app sends push notifications when it’s time to renew.

Method 3: RTA Customer Happiness Centers

These places do everything in person, and the staff knows what they’re talking about.

Some important places are: Al Barsha, Deira, Umm Ramool, Al Manara, Al Towar, Al Aweer, and Al Kifaf.

Put all of your papers in a folder because they like things to be neat.
Give everything to the person at the counter.
Pay the fees immediately, in cash, by card, or any other way that works.
It really is that fast, so please wait about 5 minutes for processing.
Take your certificate with you when you leave.

Timing is important too, so come by on weekdays between 10 AM and 2 PM.

Method 4: RTA Smart Kiosks (Self-Service Machines)

These machines are like big ATMs, but they register cars instead. The kiosks’ locations are in:

Speed Fit places
Muhaisna Shamil
Barsha Tasjeel
Tasjeel Al Qusais
Different shopping centers

How to use the kiosks?

Touch “License Renewal” on the main e-service menu
Use the keypad on the screen to type in your license number.
Pay any outstanding fines and transaction fees quickly.
You can see your registration card being printed right there.
Before you leave, make sure you have all your papers and check them again.

Method 5: Authorized Testing Centers

These centers combine vehicle inspection with registration renewal. One stop, everything done, especially convenient if your car needs testing anyway.

Available centers include:

Tasjeel centers (Al Tawar and other locations across Dubai)
Shamil centers (operated by Emarat – usually attached to gas stations)
Wasel Belhasa (multiple branches, very efficient service)
Quick Cars Testing (good for older vehicles)
Tamam Vehicle Testing (thorough inspections, fair pricing)

What happens at testing centers:

Drive your car to the center (obviously!)
Submit your documents at the reception desk
Get your vehicle inspected if it’s over 3 years old
Wait for inspection results (usually 30-45 minutes)
Pay all fees together – inspection plus renewal
Receive your registration and inspection certificate
Drive away with everything sorted

Do You Need a Car Check Before You Renew Your Vehicle License?

Once your car is three years old, it gets a health check-up, and you need to have your car checked out regularly. But which cars need to be tested?

Private cars over 3 years old (mandatory every year)
All commercial vehicles, no matter how old they are
Heavy vehicles and buses (once a year)
Motorcycles that are more than three years old
Classic cars (there are special rules for inspections)

Brand new cars get a free pass for the first three years since Dubai believes that cars that just came off the lot don’t need to be checked right away.

Where To Get Your Car Tested for Vehicle Licence Renewal

Testing Center	Location	Special Features
Tasjeel Centers	Al Tawar, Multiple locations	Fast service, digital reports
Shamil Centers	Near Emarat gas stations	Convenient fuel + test combo
Wasel Belhasa	Various Dubai locations	Thorough inspections
Quick Cars Testing	Multiple branches	Good for older vehicles
Tamam Vehicle Testing	Across Dubai	Fair pricing, detailed reports

This is how the inspection schedule works:

Make an appointment: Call ahead or book online
Bring all your documents and get there 15 minutes early.
Depending on how well your car is running, the inspection will take 30 to 45 minutes.
You get your results immediately, whether you pass or fail.

What if your car doesn’t work? Keep calm because this happens more often than you think. The inspector gives you a full report that tells you exactly what needs to be fixed.

After the repairs are done, you get a re-inspection (usually AED 50–75), and then you can renew.

How to Call RTA for Vehicle License Renewal?

Call 8009090 to get in touch with RTA’s customer service team quickly. Plus, they are fluent in both English and Arabic, so you won’t have any trouble communicating with them.

During the call, what happens is that:

The agent answers and asks how they can help.
Clearly say “renew vehicle registration.”
Give your RTA registration number when asked
Check your Emirates ID information to make sure it is correct.
Use your credit card over the phone to pay any fines you owe.
Make the full payment for the renewal in the same call.
Get a temporary license by email in a matter of minutes

The time you should expect is:

Call duration: Usually 10 to 15 minutes total
Temporary license: You get it upon request in your email
Time limit: 5 to 15 business days (plenty of time)
Permanent card collection: Visit Al Barsha or Deira Happiness Centers
Option for delivery to your home: You have to pay an extra AED 25 for the courier service.

Tip: Call during off-peak hours (10 AM to 2 PM) to get a shorter wait time.

How to Get Rid of Traffic Fines Before You Renew Your License?

Why should fines come first? The government connects all of the services. If you don’t pay your fines, you can’t renew your license, apply for a new one, or even leave the airport.

You can easily check the status of your fine through these steps:

RTA website: Log in and go to the “Traffic Fines” section.
Dubai Drive app: Under your profile, look for “Fines.”
SMS service: Send a text with your license plate number to 7275.
Call 8009090: Have the agent check for you

Ways to pay that work are:

Online ways like credit cards, debit cards, and digital wallets
Dubai Drive app payment system
RTA centers through cash, cards, and bank transfers
Typing centers that are allowed
Most ADCB and Emirates NBD ATMs

Don’t forget about the Salik tolls! If you don’t pay these automatic road charges, they will be counted as fines. So always check your Salik account balance and pay off any debts you owe.

Payments generally go through in 2 to 4 hours, but bank transfers can take up to 24 hours.

What Happens If You Renew Late?

Late renewal creates a domino effect of problems that get more expensive and complicated over time. The penalty timeline is here:

Delay Period	Fine Amount	Additional Consequences
1-30 days	No fine (grace period)	Cannot drive legally
1-12 months	AED 10 per month	Standard renewal process
1-3 years	Maximum AED 500	Re-registration required
3+ months	File closure	Complete restart needed
10+ years	AED 3,000 rehabilitation	Road test mandatory

Also, driving with expired registration brings serious trouble, such as:

AED 500 fine immediately
4 black points added to your license
Officers can impound your vehicle
Insurance coverage might become invalid

The 30-day grace period offers breathing room, but comes with a catch – you absolutely cannot drive during these 30 days. Your car essentially becomes a very expensive paperweight until renewal is completed.

What Are Vehicle Insurance Requirements for License Renewal?

You absolutely need valid coverage before anything else happens. Dubai is strict about vehicle insurance because uninsured accidents create massive problems for everyone involved. Minimum coverage requirements are:

Third-party liability (mandatory by UAE law)
Coverage period of at least 6-12 months remaining
Policy issued by RTA-approved insurance companies
Vehicle details match exactly with registration records

Also, major approved insurance providers in Dubai include:

Insurance Company	Strengths	Contact Options
Dubai Insurance	Competitive rates, fast claims	Online, phone, and branches
Emirates Insurance	Comprehensive coverage	Digital platform, agents
AXA Gulf	International backing	Mobile app, call center
Al Sagr Insurance	Local expertise	Multiple locations
Orient Insurance	Quick processing	Online quotes available

Renew a Vehicle Licence in Dubai Right Now

It is now very easy to renew your vehicle license in Dubai because there are many ways to do it. The process usually takes less than 30 minutes, whether you do it online, through a mobile app, at a customer service center, or over the phone.

You just need to start the process 2 months before the expiration date, make sure your insurance is up to date, and pay off any fines you owe ahead of time. Also, keep digital copies of all your documents on your phone so you can get to them quickly.

Moreover, renewing late can lead to costly problems. For example, AED 10 monthly fines can add up quickly, and driving with expired registration can cost you AED 500.

FAQs

Can I renew registration for multiple vehicles together?

Yes, you can renew more than one vehicle at a time on the RTA website or the Dubai Drive app. Just sign in to your account and pick out each car one by one. But every car must have its own insurance and pass its own inspection requirements.

What if I lose my registration card before renewal?

You can still renew even if you don’t have the card. Take your Emirates ID to any RTA Customer Happiness Center and tell them what’s going on. They will check the information about your car in their system and process both the replacement and the renewal at the same time for a single fee.

Can someone else renew my vehicle registration?

In most cases, no, unless they have official power of attorney papers. However, companies can let employees renew fleet vehicles, though, as long as they have the right paperwork and copies of their trade licenses.

How to change the registration when you sell a car?

The buyer and seller must both go to an RTA center with the original papers, and you’ll need the sales agreement, Emirates IDs, proof of current registration, and new insurance in the buyer’s name. Depending on the type of vehicle, the process takes about 30 minutes and costs between AED 350 and AED 500.

What is the difference between registration renewal and re-registration?

Renewal just adds another year to your current registration (AED 350 for light vehicles). If your registration has expired for more than 12 months or you change ownership, you need to re-register, and it costs AED 400–500 and requires extra paperwork. But re-registration means starting over instead of keeping old records.

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