How to Transfer Car Ownership in Dubai (Buying or Selling a Used Car)
You can transfer a used car in Dubai in the Dubai Drive app with UAE Pass. Or you can do it at an RTA Customer Happiness Centre or an Inspection Centre. The seller pays all fines and settles any bank loan. The buyer arranges insurance. If the car is over 3 years old, the buyer also arranges an inspection. Both sides sign the Sale and Purchase Agreement digitally. Then the buyer completes the licensing. The buyer gets the new Mulkiya within 14 days of the transfer.
At a glance
- Cost:
- AED 420 (transfer 350 + agreement 50 + Knowledge & Innovation 20); buyer pays transfer, seller pays agreement
- Total time:
- Same day to a few days (plus up to 14 days to complete licensing)
- Steps:
- 7 steps
- Where to apply:
- rta.ae
Last reviewed October 2026 against official sources. Re-checked annually · next review due October 2027.
The Steps
Follow these in order
Each card shows the phase, expected time, and any cost. Data checked against official UAE sources(October 2026).
0 of 7 steps
- Before You Go 2–5 working days (mortgage release)
Seller: clear fines and settle any loan
Unpaid fines block the transfer. If the car is financed, the loan must be settled first. The bank must then send an electronic mortgage release to the RTA. Banks usually take 2 to 5 working days for this. Do not hand over the car until the release shows in the RTA system.
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- Fill / Prepare Same day Insurance varies; inspection varies
Buyer: arrange insurance and inspection
The buyer must have a valid insurance policy. The car needs a technical inspection if it is over 3 years old. The inspection fee depends on the type of test. You can see it when you book on rta.ae.
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- Submit & Pay Minutes
Start the transfer in the Dubai Drive app
The seller logs in with UAE Pass. The seller chooses Change Vehicle Ownership. Then the seller enters the buyer's Emirates ID number and phone number.
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- Submit & Pay Same day
Sign the Sale and Purchase Agreement
The buyer gets the agreement by SMS and email. The buyer signs it digitally. The seller then signs too. The seller also chooses: hand over the plates with the car, or keep the plates.
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- Submit & Pay At transfer AED 420 typical + extras
Pay the fees
For a light vehicle, the transfer fee is AED 350, paid by the buyer. The Sale and Purchase Agreement costs AED 50, paid by the seller. Add AED 20 for Knowledge and Innovation. So the typical total is AED 420. If the buyer needs a new traffic file, add AED 200. To transfer a plate on its own, without the car, the cost is AED 120.
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- Receive Within 14 days
Complete licensing and receive the new Mulkiya
The buyer goes to a service centre from the list. There, the buyer finishes the registration and gets the new registration card. All licensing steps must be finished within 14 days of the transfer. Until the new Mulkiya is issued, fines and Salik charges stay linked to the seller's traffic file.
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- Follow Up Varies
Transferring to another emirate
A car registered in Dubai cannot move directly to another emirate. First, it must be deregistered. You get an Export/Transfer Certificate from RTA Dubai. Then you register the car again with the traffic authority of the other emirate. Check the fees and steps with the RTA before you start.
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FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Who pays the RTA transfer fees?
By custom, the buyer pays the AED 350 transfer fee. The seller pays the AED 50 Sale and Purchase Agreement fee. The Knowledge and Innovation fees are also paid. The buyer and seller can agree on a different split between themselves.
Can I keep my number plate when I sell the car?
Yes. Choose to keep your plate during the transfer. To transfer a plate on its own, without the car, the cost is AED 120.
Can I sell a car that still has a bank loan?
Yes. But first, the loan must be settled. The bank must also send an electronic mortgage release to the RTA. Only then can the transfer go ahead.
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