Miss your Mulkiya renewal and you're looking at a AED 500 fine and possible impoundment for up to three months. Most people figure out the steps quickly — but the first time it's easy to get stuck wondering whether you need an inspection, which app to use, or what happens if you've already gone past the deadline.
This covers the full Dubai process for 2026: fees, testing centres, how to book an appointment, and every online and in-person option available.
Table of Content
- What is Mulkiya? - Official UAE vehicle registration card — required by law while driving
- Renewal frequency - Every 12 months
- Dubai authority - Roads and Transport Authority (RTA)
- Abu Dhabi authority - TAMM / Abu Dhabi Police / Ministry of Interior
- Online channels - RTA website, Dubai Drive app (Dubai); TAMM portal, Abu Dhabi Police app (Abu Dhabi)
- In-person channels - Tasjeel, Shamil, Wasel, Mumayaz (Dubai); ADNOC Sahl Kiosks (Abu Dhabi)
- Standard renewal fee - AED 350 (+ AED 20 innovation fee) in Dubai; AED 350 (+ AED 10 innovation fee) in Abu Dhabi
- Vehicle testing required? - Yes — for vehicles over 3 years old; fee AED 120–150
- Time to complete online - 5–10 minutes (if already tested and fines cleared)
- Grace period - None in Dubai (AED 500 fine immediately); 30 days in Abu Dhabi (AED 10/month after)
- Insurance required? - Yes — minimum 13 months' valid coverage
Quick answer To renew your Mulkiya in Dubai: (1) pass a vehicle inspection at an approved centre like Tasjeel or Shamil, (2) clear all traffic fines via the RTA app, (3) hold a valid car insurance policy, (4) renew online at rta.ae or via the Dubai Drive app, and (5) pay the AED 350 registration fee. The whole thing takes 5–10 minutes online.
What is Mulkiya?
Mulkiya (ملكية) is the vehicle registration card issued by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) in Dubai. It confirms your car is legally registered, insured, and roadworthy. You need to carry it while driving and renew it every 12 months.
Let it expire and you face a AED 500 fine, plus the risk of impoundment for up to three months.
What you need before you start
The requirements are the same whether you're renewing in Dubai or Abu Dhabi:
| Requirement | Detail |
| Valid Emirates ID | Must be current and not expired |
| Valid car insurance | Minimum 13 months' coverage (to cover the next renewal cycle) |
| Cleared traffic fines | All fines, Salik dues, and violations must be paid |
| Vehicle inspection certificate | Required for vehicles over 3 years old (varies by emirate) |
| Previous Mulkiya card | Required at in-person renewal centres |
If you have any outstanding traffic fines, the system won't let you through — online or in person. Clear them first.
How to renew Mulkiya online in Dubai (RTA)
Dubai has two online channels: the RTA website and the Dubai Drive app. Both work 24/7 and take under 10 minutes once your car has passed inspection.
Option 1 — RTA website (rta.ae)
- Go to the RTA Vehicle Registration portal and log in to your RTA account.
- Select "Vehicle Renewal" from the top menu.
- Scroll to "Apply Now" and choose your account type — select "Individual" for a personal vehicle.
- Enter your vehicle details and confirm the pre-filled information.
- Choose a collection point (RTA Happiness Centre or home delivery) and select a date.
- Enter your contact details and click "Confirm and proceed to payment."
- Review the fee breakdown (registration fee + Knowledge & Innovation fee + any outstanding fines).
- Pay by credit or debit card and save the e-receipt.
- Collect your renewed Mulkiya at the selected centre, or wait for home delivery.
Physical card arrives within 3–5 business days if you chose delivery.
Option 2 — Dubai Drive app
The app is quicker if you're on mobile. It pre-fills your vehicle details from your RTA account, so you're mostly just confirming and paying.
- Download the "Dubai Drive" app (App Store or Google Play).
- Open it and go to "RTA Services."
- Tap "My Vehicles" on the dashboard, then "Renew Vehicles."
- Select your vehicle.
- Choose delivery method (home delivery or RTA collection point), preferred date, and address.
- Pay by credit card.
- Receive your registration certificate and expiry sticker by post or at your chosen RTA centre.
The app sends renewal reminders before your Mulkiya expires — worth enabling so you don't get caught out.
How to book a Mulkiya renewal appointment in Dubai
| Centre | Services Available |
| Tasjeel (multiple branches) | Vehicle testing + registration renewal |
| Shamil | Vehicle testing + registration renewal |
| Wasel | Vehicle testing + registration renewal |
| Mumayaz | Vehicle testing + registration renewal |
| Weyak | Vehicle testing + registration renewal |
| RTA Customer Happiness Centres | Registration renewal only (no testing) |
Booking at Tasjeel or Shamil
- Go to the Tasjeel or Shamil website, or download their app.
- Select your nearest branch.\
- Choose "Vehicle Registration Renewal" as the service.
- Pick a date and time slot.
- Arrive with your Emirates ID, current insurance certificate, and old Mulkiya.
Walk-ins are accepted at most centres. Before 9 AM is usually the quietest time.
Self-service kiosks
RTA runs self-service machines at select petrol stations and government buildings. If your car is already tested and your fines are cleared, you can renew in about 5 minutes with no appointment needed.
Mulkiya renewal fees in Dubai (2026)
Dubai - RTA fees
| Vehicle Type | Registration Fee (AED) |
| Light private vehicle (standard car) | 350 |
| Vehicle 3–12 tonnes, private | 400 |
| Vehicle 3–12 tonnes, public transport | 650 |
| Vehicle over 12 tonnes, private | 800 |
| Vehicle over 12 tonnes, public transport | 1,000 |
| Light mechanical equipment, private | 800 |
| Heavy mechanical equipment, private | 1,000 |
| Motorcycle | 200 |
| Bus, 14–26 passengers | 600 |
| Bus, over 26 passengers | 200 |
| Trailer / semi-trailer | 300 |
Additional fees in Dubai:
- Knowledge & Innovation fee: AED 20
- Home delivery (optional): AED 30–50
A standard private car in Dubai comes to roughly AED 370–400 all in.
Mulkiya renewal form and documents required
There's no separate Mulkiya renewal form to download. The application is built into whichever channel you're using — the RTA portal, Dubai Drive app, or a self-service kiosk. For in-person renewals at an RTA Happiness Centre, the counter staff walk you through it on screen.
Documents Checklist
| Document | Required? |
| Valid Emirates ID | Yes |
| Car insurance certificate (13+ months valid) | Yes |
| Vehicle inspection certificate (if applicable) | Yes |
| Previous Mulkiya card | Yes, at in-person centres |
| Driving licence | Optional |
For online renewals, you upload scanned copies. At a kiosk, swiping your Emirates ID pulls your vehicle records automatically.
Vehicle testing before renewal
Cars over 3 years old generally need a technical inspection before you can renew. The test covers brakes, tyres, lights, emissions, and general condition.
Testing centres and costs
| Emirate | Testing centres | Approximate fee |
| Dubai | Tasjeel, Shamil, Wasel, Mumayaz, Weyak | AED 120–150 |
| Abu Dhabi | ADNOC Auto Testing Centres | AED 120–150 |
| Sharjah | Emirates Vehicle Gate (EVG) | AED 120–140 |
A few things worth checking before you go:
- Tyre pressure and tread depth
- All lights — headlights, brake lights, indicators
- Windscreen wipers
- Brake responsiveness
- No visible fluid leaks underneath
If you fail, you fix the issues and come back for a re-test, which costs extra. Better to spend 10 minutes checking yourself first.
Grace period, late fines, and what happens if you miss renewal
Dubai: There's no grace period. An expired Mulkiya means a AED 500 fine as soon as you're caught, plus impoundment risk. If the registration has been lapsed for over 12 months, you'll also pay a re-registration fee of AED 400 on top of the standard renewal fee.
One thing that catches people out in both emirates: an expired Mulkiya can affect your insurance coverage in an accident, even if your insurance policy itself is still active. It's worth renewing before you actually need to make a claim.
Online vs in-person: which is faster?
| Method | Time | Best for |
| RTA website / TAMM portal | 5–10 minutes | Cars already tested, no fines outstanding |
| Dubai Drive / TAMM app | 5–10 minutes | Renewing from your phone with home delivery |
| Smart kiosk / Sahl kiosk | 5 minutes | Quick renewal, no appointment needed |
| In-person at testing centre | 20–45 minutes | Cars that need inspection on the same visit |
| RTA Customer Happiness Centre | 15–30 minutes | Complex situations — re-registration, ownership changes |
Mulkiya renewal for motorcycles
The process is the same as for cars. The only difference is the registration fee — AED 200 for motorcycles in Dubai. Bikes over 3 years old still need a technical inspection at an approved centre.
Tips that actually save you time
- If your car needs testing, book the inspection 2–3 weeks before your Mulkiya expires — not the week of. Queues at testing centres pile up toward month-end, and a failed test means you need time to fix the issue and come back before the deadline.
- Sort your insurance before you go anywhere. You can't complete renewal without a valid certificate, and if your policy is expiring around the same time as your Mulkiya, doing insurance last means two separate trips. Get the certificate first, then head to the testing centre with everything in hand.
- Check your fines a week ahead, not the morning of renewal. Paying fines the same day sometimes causes a system lag — they can still show as outstanding for a few hours. A few days' gap avoids the headache.
- The Dubai Drive app is the fastest option if you're in Dubai and your car is already tested. It pulls your vehicle details automatically, handles payment, and offers home delivery. No queue involved.
- Mid-month is quieter at every testing centre. If you have flexibility on timing, avoid the last week of the month and the days before long public holidays.
