How to renew your car registration in Dubai
Dubai car registration is renewed once a year, mostly online. For a private car the RTA fee is Dh350 plus a Dh20 fee, once insurance, inspection and fines are in order.
A vehicle registration (mulkiya) in Dubai is valid for one year. Under federal traffic law there is a 30 day grace period after it expires, and you can renew up to 150 days early. These steps are for vehicles registered in Dubai; a car registered in another emirate is renewed with that emirate's licensing authority.
1. Renew your insurance first: The RTA checks it during the renewal, and it must cover at least six months, including the grace period. If your registration has already expired, you can ask your insurer to start the new policy later.
2. Check whether the car needs a test: A private car bought new from an authorised UAE dealer can be renewed for its first three years without a technical inspection. Older cars must pass the test at a vehicle inspection centre, and the certificate is valid for 30 days. Tyres more than five years old, or damaged, have to be replaced to pass.
3. Pay your fines: Fines on the car have to be settled before the renewal goes through. Fines on other vehicles in the same traffic file do not hold it up if they were issued less than six months ago.
4. Choose a channel: The RTA website (sign in with UAE Pass, an RTA account, or your Emirates ID, driving licence or plate details), the RTA Dubai app, the Dubai Now app (Driving, My Vehicle, Renew Vehicle Registration), the Mahboub chatbot, a self-service machine, or an inspection centre, where staff send a token by text and a payment link after the test.
5. Select the vehicle and pay: Choose the car, let the system check insurance and inspection, and pay by credit card. The fee for a light vehicle is Dh350, plus a Dh20 knowledge and innovation fee; a motorcycle is Dh200 plus Dh20. The renewal itself is instant.
6. Get the certificate: It arrives by text or email, can be printed at a self-service machine, added to Apple Wallet from the RTA Dubai app, or delivered for Dh20 (Dh35 same day, Dh50 within two hours).
7. Do not leave it late: Late renewal carries fees that depend on the vehicle and the delay (the RTA page does not list the amounts), and if the car is not renewed within two months of expiry, the traffic file is blocked and you are told by text. If you own several vehicles, renew the one that expires first.
Checked on 11 October 2026 on the RTA's "Renew Vehicle Ownership" service page. Fees and rules can change, so check the page before you pay.