Renewing Vehicle Registration (Mulkiya) in the UAE

Researched from official sources ยท April 30, 2026

Renewing Vehicle Registration (Mulkiya) in the UAE

Estimated time

About 10-30 minutes online once inspection (if needed) and insurance are in place

Cost

ุฏ.ุฅ120-400 federal fee + emirate-level fees + insurance and inspection costs

What You Need

Tap to check off items as you gather them

Additional Items

  • Cleared traffic-fine status โ€” see our UAE traffic fine payment guide
  • UAE PASS account on the device used to apply
  • Card or digital wallet (Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, Google Pay) for online payment
  • Salik tag account in good standing (Dubai-only) โ€” Salik violations also count toward renewal blocks
  • Vehicle plate number, chassis number, and current Mulkiya for reference

Step-by-Step

  1. 1

    Confirm Renewal Readiness

    1. Check that all outstanding traffic fines and Salik dues (Dubai) are cleared โ€” see our traffic fine payment guide
    2. Confirm whether your vehicle is within the 3-year inspection-exempt window or needs an inspection first
    3. Make sure your insurance is renewed for 13 months from an authorised insurer

    โš ๏ธ Watch out: Per the MOI service card, the renewal screen shows the exact blocking condition โ€” unpaid fines, missing inspection, or invalid insurance. Clear the listed item before retrying.

  2. 2

    Book the Inspection (Used Vehicles)

    1. Choose an authorised testing centre โ€” Tasjeel, Tamam, Wasel, Shamil in Dubai; equivalents in other emirates
    2. Bring the vehicle, current Mulkiya, and Emirates ID
    3. On a pass result, the centre transmits the result electronically to MOI / RTA

    ๐Ÿ’ก Tip: Most centres offer express tracks during peak hours. Arrive with a fully fuelled, clean vehicle to minimise re-test risk on emissions or visibility.

  3. 3

    Choose the Renewal Channel

    1. Federal: MOI website or MOI UAE app โ€” covers all emirates via UAE PASS
    2. Dubai vehicles: RTA Dubai website or app, RTA service centres, Self-service device, or Emirates Vehicle Gate
    3. Abu Dhabi vehicles: Abu Dhabi Police e-Services
    MOI โ€” Vehicle Ownership Renewal (moi.gov.ae โ†—)
  4. 4

    Complete the Renewal

    1. Log in via UAE PASS, select your vehicle from the dashboard
    2. Confirm the inspection result and 13-month insurance policy are linked
    3. Pay the federal renewal fee plus any local fees and the delivery fee if you want a posted Mulkiya

    โš ๏ธ Watch out: If the system rejects the insurance, contact the insurer โ€” per the MOI service card the policy must be 13 months and from an authorised insurer. The insurer can re-transmit the policy electronically once corrected.

  5. 5

    Receive the New Mulkiya

    1. Per the MOI service card, digital delivery is immediate (0 minutes)
    2. Download the renewed Mulkiya from the MOI app or service portal
    3. If you opted for postal delivery, the printed Mulkiya arrives by courier

    ๐Ÿ’ก Tip: Save the digital Mulkiya in your phone โ€” UAE traffic officers accept the digital version. The MOI UAE app keeps the most recent version in your wallet section.

  6. 6

    Keep Insurance and Inspection Records

    1. Save the insurance certificate PDF and the inspection report
    2. Set a calendar reminder for next year's renewal โ€” most renewals open one month before expiry
    3. If you change emirates of residence, your registration emirate stays the same unless transferred

Costs

Item Amount Payment Notes
Federal renewal fee โ€” light vehicle (private/public) ุฏ.ุฅ350 Online via MOI / RTA / Abu Dhabi Police Per the MOI service card. Most cars and SUVs fall in this category.
Federal renewal fee โ€” vehicle 3-12 tonnes (private) ุฏ.ุฅ400 Online via MOI / RTA / Abu Dhabi Police Per the MOI service card. Applies to medium-weight private vehicles.
Federal renewal fee โ€” motorcycle (private) ุฏ.ุฅ200 Online via MOI / RTA / Abu Dhabi Police Per the MOI service card.
Federal renewal fee โ€” trailer / semi-trailer (private) ุฏ.ุฅ120 Online via MOI / RTA / Abu Dhabi Police Per the MOI service card.
Dubai knowledge and innovation fees (Optional) ุฏ.ุฅ20 Bundled into the Dubai renewal payment Per the MOI service card, Dubai adds AED 10 knowledge fee and AED 10 innovation fee.
Delivery fee (when applicable) (Optional) ุฏ.ุฅ15 Bundled into the renewal payment Per the MOI service card, charged when the new Mulkiya is dispatched by post.
Federal renewal fee โ€” light vehicle (private/public) ุฏ.ุฅ350
Payment:
Online via MOI / RTA / Abu Dhabi Police
Notes:
Per the MOI service card. Most cars and SUVs fall in this category.
Federal renewal fee โ€” vehicle 3-12 tonnes (private) ุฏ.ุฅ400
Payment:
Online via MOI / RTA / Abu Dhabi Police
Notes:
Per the MOI service card. Applies to medium-weight private vehicles.
Federal renewal fee โ€” motorcycle (private) ุฏ.ุฅ200
Payment:
Online via MOI / RTA / Abu Dhabi Police
Notes:
Per the MOI service card.
Federal renewal fee โ€” trailer / semi-trailer (private) ุฏ.ุฅ120
Payment:
Online via MOI / RTA / Abu Dhabi Police
Notes:
Per the MOI service card.
Dubai knowledge and innovation fees (Optional) ุฏ.ุฅ20
Payment:
Bundled into the Dubai renewal payment
Notes:
Per the MOI service card, Dubai adds AED 10 knowledge fee and AED 10 innovation fee.
Delivery fee (when applicable) (Optional) ุฏ.ุฅ15
Payment:
Bundled into the renewal payment
Notes:
Per the MOI service card, charged when the new Mulkiya is dispatched by post.
Total: ุฏ.ุฅ1,070

FAQ

General

How often must I renew the Mulkiya?

Vehicle registration in the UAE is renewed annually. Per the MOI service card, the insurance attached to the renewal must be 13 months โ€” covering the 12-month registration period plus a one-month grace.

Where do I renew?

Per the MOI service card and the UAE Government Portal, channels include the MOI app and website, the RTA Dubai app and website (for Dubai-registered vehicles), Abu Dhabi Police e-Services, Service Centres, Self-service devices, and Emirates Vehicle Gate. UAE PASS authentication works across these federal channels.

Do I need a vehicle inspection every year?

Per the UAE Government Portal, vehicles produced in the last three years before registration are exempt from inspection. After the three-year mark, used vehicles must pass an inspection at an authorised testing centre as part of the renewal.

What if I have unpaid fines?

Per the MOI service card, all outstanding dues must be cleared before renewal. The system automatically blocks renewal until traffic fines and Salik dues (where applicable) are paid โ€” see our UAE traffic fine payment guide.

How much does it cost?

Per the MOI service card, federal fees by vehicle category: AED 350 for light vehicles (private or public), AED 400 for 3-12 tonne private vehicles, AED 200 for private motorcycles, AED 120 for private trailers and semi-trailers. Dubai adds AED 10 knowledge fee and AED 10 innovation fee. A delivery fee of AED 15 applies if the Mulkiya is posted to you. Inspection and insurance are billed separately by the chosen testing centre and insurer.

Can I renew online without visiting an inspection centre?

Yes, when the vehicle is exempt from inspection โ€” per the UAE Government Portal, vehicles produced in the last three years before registration are exempt. Used vehicles must visit an authorised testing centre first; the result is transmitted electronically to MOI / RTA, after which renewal can be completed in the app or on the website.

What happens if my registration expires?

Per UAE traffic regulations, driving an unregistered vehicle is an offence and attracts fines and possibly impoundment. Renew before the expiry date โ€” most channels allow renewal up to one month before. If you have already missed expiry, complete the renewal as soon as possible to limit additional penalties.

I am selling my car โ€” do I still renew?

If the sale is imminent, the buyer typically takes responsibility for the next renewal once ownership is transferred. If the sale is delayed past the current expiry, it is safer to renew yourself and prorate the cost in the sale price โ€” driving the vehicle for any reason while it is unregistered is a violation.

After This Process

  • โ†’ Settle any new traffic fines promptly โ€” see our UAE traffic fine payment guide
  • โ†’ Review your insurance terms โ€” comprehensive vs third-party affects renewal cost
  • โ†’ Plan a Salik account top-up (Dubai) โ€” automatic deductions avoid violation fines later
  • โ†’ Check whether your vehicle qualifies for the inspection exemption next year (3-year rule)

Sources

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4 sources cited last accessed 2026-04-30

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  1. T1
    Ministry of Interior (MOI), United Arab Emirates 2026-04-30

    MOI Vehicle Ownership Renewal service. Channels: Mobile app, Service Centres, Website, Self-service device. Required: Emirates ID. Conditions: technical inspection for used vehicles must be passed; insurance must be 13 months. New vehicles are exempt from inspection for a period of 3 years from the year of manufacture. All outstanding dues must be cleared before renewal. Federal fees: AED 350 for light vehicles (private/public); AED 400 for vehicles 3-12 tonnes (private); AED 200 for motorcycles (private); AED 120 for trailers and semi-trailers (private). Dubai adds AED 10 each for knowledge and innovation fees. Delivery fees (when applicable) AED 15. Estimated delivery time 0 minutes for digital submission.

    moi.gov.ae
  2. T1
    The Official Platform of the UAE Government 2026-04-30

    To register a vehicle, the owner must obtain insurance from an authorised insurer, pay all fines, apply for car registration through approved channels, pay registration fees, and collect the vehicle ownership card (Mulkiya) and plate numbers. Vehicles must be inspected at authorised testing centres except vehicles produced in the last three years before registration. Service channels include MOI application and website, RTA Dubai application and website, Emirates Vehicle Gate, and Abu Dhabi Police.

    u.ae
  3. T1
    Roads & Transport Authority (RTA), Dubai 2026-04-30

    RTA Dubai operates the vehicle registration renewal service for vehicles registered in Dubai. The service is available through the RTA website, the RTA Dubai app, RTA service centres, and Emirates Vehicle Gate. Vehicles undergoing renewal must clear all fines and present a valid 13-month insurance policy from an authorised insurer.

    rta.ae
  4. T1
    Ministry of Interior (MOI), United Arab Emirates 2026-04-30

    MOI Change of Vehicle Registration Card Information service handles updates to the registration card data โ€” used together with renewal when the owner wishes to change details such as plate, class, or use during the renewal cycle.

    moi.gov.ae
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