How to Transfer Car Ownership in Dubai (RTA)? Easy Guide
To transfer car ownership in Dubai, the seller logs in to the Dubai Drive app or RTA website with UAE Pass, clears all fines, and starts a Change Ownership request using the buyer’s Emirates ID. The buyer needs valid insurance in their name and signs the sale agreement online. Fees are around AED 350 to 400, plus AED 170 for the vehicle test if the car is over three years old.
- Seller clears all fines and gets a bank NOC if the car is financed.
- Buyer arranges insurance in their name and passes the test if needed.
- Complete the transfer on the Dubai Drive app or at an RTA centre.
What you need before transferring ownership?
A sale is only legally complete once the Mulkiya is reissued in the buyer’s name, so both sides need their paperwork ready first. This is different from simply checking a car before you buy, which we cover in our vehicle details check guide.
| Who | What they need |
|---|---|
| Seller | All fines cleared, current Mulkiya, Emirates ID, and a bank NOC if the car is financed |
| Buyer | Valid insurance in their name, a UAE driving licence, and Emirates ID |
| Both, if expats | Passport with a valid residence visa |
| Car over 3 years old | A passed technical inspection report |
Two of these are hard stops. The seller cannot transfer a car with unpaid fines, and a financed car cannot move until the loan is settled and the bank issues a clearance letter. Sort both out before you agree a sale date.
How to transfer car ownership in Dubai?
Most of the process is now online through the Dubai Drive app or the RTA website. You only need to attend in person if the plates are being handed over or the buyer has no existing traffic file.
- The seller clears all fines and, for a financed car, settles the loan and gets the bank clearance letter.
- The buyer takes out insurance in their name, which most insurers issue same-day, and gets the car tested if it is over three years old.
- The seller logs in to Dubai Drive or rta.ae with UAE Pass, opens Change Ownership, selects the car, enters the buyer’s Emirates ID and mobile number, and chooses what happens to the plates.
- The buyer signs the Sale and Purchase Agreement with UAE Pass and pays the fees. A new Mulkiya is then issued in the buyer’s name.
Clearing fines first is essential, so run an RTA fine check on the plate before you start. Other emirates use their own authority, such as Abu Dhabi Police, but the essentials of cleared fines, buyer insurance, and a passed test are the same everywhere.
Fees and how long it takes
Transferring a light vehicle costs around AED 350 to 400, plus about AED 170 for the technical inspection if the car is over three years old. The buyer usually pays the transfer fees.
Timing matters at the end. Once the transfer is submitted, the buyer has 14 days to finish the licensing steps, such as collecting plates and completing registration. Miss that window and the transaction is cancelled and the fees are forfeited. The wider set of driver tasks is in our UAE traffic, vehicle and fines guide.
Frequently asked questions
How do I transfer car ownership in Dubai?
The seller logs in to the Dubai Drive app or rta.ae with UAE Pass, clears all fines, opens Change Ownership, and enters the buyer’s Emirates ID. The buyer arranges insurance in their name, signs the sale agreement online, and pays the fees. A new Mulkiya is then issued in the buyer’s name.
How much does it cost to transfer car ownership in Dubai?
Transferring a light vehicle costs around AED 350 to 400. If the car is over three years old, add about AED 170 for the mandatory technical inspection. The buyer usually pays the transfer fees, and any unpaid fines must be cleared first as part of the process.
Can I transfer car ownership online?
Yes, most of it. The seller and buyer can complete the change of ownership through the Dubai Drive app or RTA website using UAE Pass. You only need to attend in person if the plates are being handed over or the buyer does not yet have a traffic file in the UAE.
Can I transfer a financed car?
Not until the finance is settled. A car with an active bank loan cannot be transferred until the loan is paid off and the bank issues a clearance letter, or NOC. This is the seller’s responsibility to arrange before agreeing a sale date, so plan for it early.
Last verified: August 2026
Written by Roman Shah ยท Reviewed by the UAEexplained editorial team
Source: Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), Dubai
