Buying and selling cars in Dubai can be a quite simple procedure in case the buyer appears personally to participate in the process of transferring ownership of a car.
There are many situations when the buyer is unable to come because he is going abroad, is working abroad, is faced with a problem with his health, or just cannot be present at the time scheduled for the transfer of the ownership of a car.
Many people want to know whether it is possible or not that How to Transfer Car Ownership in Dubai Without Buyer Present.
The answer to this question is negative, however, in some particular cases, the buyer’s attendance in person is not required.
Understanding the existing rules can help to save one’s time and avoid making extra mistakes.
It is important to understand that some of the most common reasons why the transfer of ownership of a car is delayed are: missing documents, outstanding fines, expired vehicle insurance, or an invalid authorization from the buyer.
This article will explain under what conditions it is possible to transfer the ownership of a car in the absence of the buyer, the list of documents that are required, the process of transferring the ownership, and the situations when the appearance of the buyer is required.
- Can You/How to Transfer Car Ownership in Dubai Without Buyer Present?
- When Is It Possible?
- Ownership Transfer Procedure Step-by-step
- Documents Required
- RTA Car Ownership Transfer Fees
- Situations When the Appearance of the Buyer Is Required
- Common Reasons Why the Transfer of Car Ownership Gets Delayed
- Expert Tips Before Transferring the Ownership
- FAQs
- Conclusion
Can You/How to Transfer Car Ownership in Dubai Without Buyer Present?
Yes, if some requirements are met.
In case of purchasing a used car, the buyer is supposed to participate in the transfer of the ownership of the car.
It means that the Roads and Transport Authority of Dubai requires from both parties to complete the required Sale and Purchase Agreement before the vehicle is registered in the buyer’s name.
However, in case the buyer is unable to attend, the transfer may still be performed if:
- The buyer has granted the authority to act on his behalf through the power of attorney;
- This authority is recognized by the RTA;
- All other requirements requested by the RTA are fulfilled.
It is impossible to perform this transfer without the power of attorney from the buyer.
It is always better to consult the latest requirements with the RTA in advance due to the differences in cases and vehicles.
When Is It Possible?
There are some situations when it is not the buyer who performs this transfer but another person on behalf of the buyer.
Use of a Valid Power of Attorney (POA)
Power of Attorney is a legal document which allows another person to represent the buyer during the process of transferring the ownership of the car.
Depending on the situation, the person who is representing the buyer may be able to:
- Sign documents required by the RTA;
- Perform the whole process of registration;
- Receive the registration documents of the vehicle;
- Pay transfer fees.
Power of Attorney should be legally valid and accepted by the RTA.
In case the POA was obtained in another state, it is possible that some extra steps should be made.
Before the transfer of ownership, it should be checked that the POA includes this procedure and meets the requirements of the RTA.
The Buyer Is Outside the UAE
It often happens that the ownership of a car is transferred while the buyer is in another state.
This fact does not affect the possibility of transferring the ownership of the car; it means that the buyer can grant the power of attorney to another person for performing the procedure.
Depending on the place of issuing the POA, it may be required to notarize, attest, or legalize it in the UAE.
Company-Owned Vehicles
In case the vehicle belongs to the company, not to the individual, it is performed by another way.
It means that the buyer is replaced by the authorized person of the company that provides the authorization documents for performing the procedure.
The authorized person may also have to provide:
- Authorization letter from the company;
- Trade licence details;
- Emirates ID;
- Additional documents requested by the RTA.
As business registrations are different, it is recommended to check the exact documents with the RTA in advance.
Ownership Transfer Procedure Step-by-step
Although the requirements may differ in particular cases, the general steps that should be done are similar.
Step 1. Initiating the Transfer Request
The person selling the car should perform the request for performing the ownership transfer of the car using either the website of the RTA, or the Dubai Drive app, or one of the approved RTA Customer Happiness Centers or vehicle registration centers.
Step 2. Signing the Sale and Purchase Agreement
After this, the buyer is notified about the initiation of the procedure and signs the required Sale and Purchase Agreement.
Both parties should sign the document in order to perform the transfer.
If the buyer is represented by the person having the power of attorney, he/she may sign it if it is possible to do according to the requirements of the RTA.
Step 3. Performing the Vehicle Inspection
It is required in some cases.
It ensures that the vehicle meets the requirements for its roadworthiness.
In case the inspection is not passed or it has expired, it is required to solve the issue.
Step 4. Arranging the Vehicle Insurance
It is required in most cases before the registration of the vehicle in the buyer’s name.
In case the insurance is not valid, it will not be possible to register the vehicle.
Step 5. Registering the Vehicle
Now the person should visit the service center of the RTA and perform the final steps of transferring the ownership of the vehicle.
The person who represents the buyer is required if the POA is valid and accepted by the RTA.
Step 6. Payment of the Required Fees
After all the documents are checked, it is required to pay the required fees.
The exact fee depends on such factors as:
- Type of the vehicle;
- Category of registration;
- Whether the inspection is required;
- Additional service fees if any.
Step 7. Receiving the New Registration Card
After this step, the RTA issues the new registration card of the vehicle with the name of the buyer as the owner.
The transfer of the ownership is now performed.
Documents Required
Although the exact list of the documents may vary, in most cases, the following documents are required.
| Document | Required | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Emirates ID | Yes | Buyer and seller, or authorized representative |
| Vehicle Registration Card (Mulkiya) | Yes | Original registration document |
| Valid Vehicle Insurance | Yes | Must generally be in the buyer’s name |
| Vehicle Inspection Certificate | If required | Required when applicable |
| Valid Power of Attorney | If buyer is absent | Must be accepted by the RTA |
| Company Authorization Documents | Company vehicles only | Required for business-owned vehicles |
| Additional RTA Documents | Sometimes | Depending on the individual case |
Before visiting the RTA service center, it is recommended to check all the documents in order to avoid any issues that may cause the delay of the ownership transfer procedure.
RTA Car Ownership Transfer Fees
The price of transferring car ownership in Dubai varies depending on several factors.
It is possible that such fees should be paid.
| Fee | Description |
|---|---|
| Ownership Transfer Fee | Standard RTA ownership transfer charge based on the vehicle category. |
| Knowledge Fee | Government service fee collected with many RTA transactions. |
| Innovation Fee | Government service fee applied to eligible transactions. |
| Vehicle Inspection Fee | Payable if a technical inspection is required. |
| Vehicle Insurance | Insurance policy issued in the buyer’s name before registration. |
| Other Service Charges | Any applicable service centre or processing fees. |
Since RTA fees and service charges may change from time to time, it is recommended to check the current fee schedule before starting the transfer procedure.
Situations When the Appearance of the Buyer Is Required
Even if the person representing the buyer through the power of attorney may represent him/her in some cases, there are situations when the appearance of the buyer in person is required.
It happens in case:
- The buyer has not given the power of attorney;
- RTA requires identity verification that cannot be performed through the representative;
- The authorization documents do not meet the requirements of the RTA;
- Extra information/documents are requested during the procedure.
If the person does not know whether the case can be performed with representation, it is better to ask the RTA in advance.
Common Reasons Why the Transfer of Car Ownership Gets Delayed
Although the transfer of the ownership of the car is usually performed easily, there are many situations when the procedure gets delayed.
They may include:
- Outstanding traffic fines associated with the vehicle;
- The existence of the car loan;
- Expired vehicle insurance;
- Expired registration;
- Failure to pass the inspection;
- Missing/Invalid documents.
In order to avoid the delays, it is important to check all the documents in advance.
Expert Tips Before Transferring the Ownership
Proper preparation helps to perform the procedure faster.
It is better to:
- Clear all the traffic fines in advance;
- Organize insurance in the name of the buyer before visiting the RTA;
- Check whether the vehicle requires the inspection;
- Make sure that the POA covers this procedure;
- Provide all the original documents unless the RTA accepts the certified copies;
- Check the requirements before your appointment since the requirements may change.
FAQs
Can someone else transfer the ownership of the car in Dubai?
Yes. In case the buyer cannot attend, the authorized representative may perform the procedure using the power of attorney provided that the RTA accepts the authorization.
Can the ownership be transferred if the buyer is outside the UAE?
Possibly. The buyer who lives abroad may assign a representative through the power of attorney. Depending on the place of issuing the POA, it may be required to notarize or legally attest the POA.
Does the buyer need insurance before registration?
Yes. In most cases, valid vehicle insurance in the name of the buyer is required before completing the registration procedure.
Is the vehicle inspection required?
Not necessarily. It is required in some cases and depends on the vehicle registration and other requirements of the RTA.
How long does the procedure of transferring the ownership of a vehicle take?
If all the required documents are prepared and there are no other issues, the procedure is usually performed during the same day. However, it may take some time if some checks or corrections are required.
Can the whole procedure be performed online?
Not necessarily. Although some stages of the process can be performed online, for instance, initiating the application or signing the SPA, the process of registration should be performed personally.
What happens if there is an outstanding loan?
It is impossible to transfer the ownership of the vehicle if the finance company has not released the mortgage on the vehicle yet.
Can the seller perform the procedure without the buyer?
No. It is not possible to perform the procedure without the authority granted to someone else.
Conclusion
Under normal circumstances, you cannot transfer the ownership of a car in Dubai without the buyer’s attendance in person.
One of the major exceptions is when the buyer has granted the authority to the person through the power of attorney accepted by the RTA.
It is important to be sure that all the required documents are provided, all outstanding fines have been settled, and the buyer has insurance if it is required.
Spending a few minutes on checking the latest requirements of the RTA helps to save time.
