A guide to acquiring a travel permit in the United Arab Emirates, including information on fees and requirements 2024
Taking a road trip across the country for your next vacation is a great idea! Whether you are a resident of the UAE or an expat, getting a tourist vehicle certificate is essential. This document ensures there are no legal roadblocks to your travel plans.
This certificate attests to your car's adherence to safety and legal requirements, granting you permission to drive across state lines. Before hitting the road, make sure you have all the necessary paperwork, including an international driver's license (IDL).
Travel within the GCC in a registered vehicle for business or pleasure is allowed with a tourist vehicle certificate. Below is a comprehensive checklist for those preparing to apply.
Eligibility
Application for this service is open to residents, diplomats, companies, governmental agencies, and nationals of the UAE and the Gulf Cooperation Council.
Validity
- Period of validity: Six months
Service Charges in Dubai
- Compact car: Dh100
- Motorbike: Dh100
- Car weighing 3 to 12 tons: Dh100
- Car weighing more than 12 tons: Dh200
- Small mechanical devices: Dh100
- Large-scale mechanical apparatus: Dh200
- Bus carrying 14 to 26 people: Dh100
- Bus carrying more than 26 people: Dh200
- Fees for Innovation and Knowledge: Dh20
Required Documents
The Roads and Transport Authority in Dubai requires the following documents to be presented with your application.
For Nationals of the GCC and Its Citizens
- An eNOC from the mortgagor if the car is mortgaged.
- Original Emirates ID.
- eNOC from the Automobile & Touring Club of the UAE (ATCUAE), except for citizens, nationals of the GCC, and members of the diplomatic and governmental corps who wish to use their cars inside the GCC.
For Residents
- An eNOC from the mortgagor if the car is mortgaged.
- eNOC from the ATCUAE.
For Businesses
- Arabic translation of the Memorandum of Association (legal translation).
- A formal request for a tourism certificate from the company in Arabic.
- Copy of the trade license.
- An eNOC from the mortgagor if the car is mortgaged.
- eNOC from the ATCUAE.
- Original Emirates ID of the driver.
- Original driver's license.
Application Methods
Residents can apply for a car permit through the RTA website:
- Visit the website and sign up or log in, or use the UAE Pass.
- Select "Vehicle Certificates" by clicking on "Certificate Group."
- Choose the certificate type for using the vehicle outside the UAE for tourism purposes.
- Provide the required information.
- Provide the vehicle's information.
- Pay the necessary fees with a credit card.
- Receive the certificate by email and SMS.
Visitors looking to obtain a motor permit can visit any of the following Customer Happiness Centers in Dubai:
- Umm Ramool
- Al Twar
- Deira
- Al Barsha
- Al Manarah
Additionally, the 23 Vehicle Registration and Inspection Centers issue the certificate.
Procedure at Inspection and Customer Happiness Centers
- Approach the front desk at the center.
- Submit the necessary documents.
- Pay the required fees.
- Receive the certificate from the establishment.
Terms and Conditions
- Either the client or their attorney must be present in person.
- The driver and the company representative need to be present.
- All outstanding traffic fines must be paid to use this service.
- If the car is mortgaged, the customer must electronically release the mortgage or present a letter of credit from the mortgagor to apply for the service.
- A driver's license must be presented if someone other than the owner is operating the car. Both the owner and the driver must be present in person.
- If driving the car outside the GCC, an eNOC from the ATCUAE is required for both citizens and nationals of the GCC.
- If using a cargo business to transport the vehicle, a copy of the cargo company's trade license is needed.
- If the vehicle's license plates are from a consulate, contact the Customer Happiness Center - Deira and present a letter of authorization from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- Citizens do not need an eNOC from the ATCUAE or a Tourism Certificate from RTA to drive their vehicles to any GCC nation. However, they need an eNOC from the ATCUAE and an RTA tourism certificate.