UAE: You thought of buying the perfect car for you but found out that it’s for sale in another Emirate? Well, you can do that if you follow certain regulations. This guide will help you sail through.
These general tips must be known to you before you go to buy a used car in another Emirate:
1. Removed Salik tag
Make sure that there are no Salik tags on the vehicle. This will ensure that you will the bills and not the previous owner.
2. Check the Fines
In case you’re a used car, make sure that the vehicle has no fines unpaid. If there are fines on the vehicle, it cannot be transferred until fully paid.
3. Car loans
Please ensure that the car isn’t purchased on a loan. If it is, the seller must clear the loan beforehand. It is important to note that vehicles can only be registered in the same Emirate as one’s visa and nowhere else.
Now, in case you’re going to buy a new car, note the following:
Usually, the dealers know the entire process and they will aid you through the process with help from their PRO. But in case, they don’t, then you must be well aware, beforehand.
1. If you’re buying a car from Dubai
In this case, you will have to transfer the vehicle on the back of a recovery truck Dubai to the Emirate of registration. Depending on the destination, the driver will charge an amount between AED 150 to 600 depending on the Emirate.
Please note that Dubai Authorities do not provide export plates unless the vehicle is being exported outside of the country.
2. If you’re buying a car from Abu Dhabi
In case you’re buying a car from Abu Dhabi, you can also export plates which are usually blue in colour and then you can drive the vehicle back to your home Emirate. These plates are valid for three days only. You would also have to purchase export insurance by paying AED 250 and it is valid for 14 days. Or you could simply use a recovery vehicle to transfer the vehicle.
Once the vehicle has been transported to the home Emirate, then get it registered in that Emirate via the Transport Authority.
The Recovery prices will be more or less identical to Dubai depending on the distance.
3. If you’re buying a car from Sharjah
In this case, you have two options to choose from like in case of transfer from Abu Dhabi. You can either put it on the back of recovery or you can obtain export plates and then take it all way to your home Emirate. Even the recovery prices are similar.
During the process of buying an old car, it is important that both the buyer and seller must be present. Post the transfer, only the new owner must be present. In some situations, if this isn’t possible then power of attorney must be transferred to an individual who is available.
Conversely, if the car is purchased from a dealer, PRO aids the buyer to get through the process. However, the individual must carry a copy of your Emirates ID to get an export certificate in your name to your required Emirate which you can take to the registration department. The export certificate costs AED 120.
During registration, it is important to carry the following documents in different Emirates:
1. Registration in Dubai
- Insurance certificate
- Driving license
- Emirates ID
- Transfer certificate from the other Emirate
Registration Cost: AED 340.
2. Registration in Abu Dhabi
- Driving license
- Emirates ID or Passport
- Vehicle registration
- Vehicle test certificate
- Insurance policy for 13 months
Registration Cost: AED 305.
3. Registration in Sharjah
- Original vehicle papers
- Insurance documents
- Vehicle test certificate
- Copy of ID (passport, Emirates ID, driving license)
Registration Cost: AED 395.
After completing all the formalities and they are verified, you’ll be given new number plates and a Mulkiya (Registration Card).
