Buying the car isn't the end — it starts an annual admin cycle: insurance renewal → periodic inspection (from year 3) → registration (Mulkiya) renewal. This guide covers that cycle plus road tolls.
Vehicle registration card (Mulkiya)
- The UAE registration card is called the Mulkiya and is valid for one year — it must be renewed annually.
- Prerequisite: valid car insurance (the policy must cover the renewal date).
- Renew online via TAMM (Abu Dhabi's government portal) or the RTA app/site in Dubai.
- Vehicles not yet due for inspection (below) renew fully online with no extra steps.
Periodic inspection (Abu Dhabi)
New cars are exempt for their first two years; from year 3, every registration renewal requires passing a technical inspection. Vehicles under 3 years renew on TAMM with no inspection.
Where to go
- Vehicle inspection centres at ADNOC service stations — the most common route in Abu Dhabi. Many take walk-ins.
- Other authorised centres (Al Masaood and others) also operate.
Editor's tip: not every ADNOC station does inspections. Open the ADNOC app and check whether a station lists Vehicle Inspection among its services before driving over. (Editor's own visit, Abu Dhabi, June 2026)
What to bring · cost
- Vehicle registration card (Mulkiya) — required to register for the test
- AED 150 (periodic test, light vehicle — editor-verified June 2026, matches the published rate)
- Once you pass, the result is filed in the system and registration renewal proceeds directly
Periodic inspection (Dubai)
Dubai works the same way — test at an RTA-authorised centre (Tasjeel and others), then renew. New-vehicle exemption details follow RTA's rules; check your renewal notice.
Salik tolls (Dubai)
Electronic tolling on Dubai's main roads, auto-deducted via a windshield tag.
- Peak (weekdays 06–10 · 16–20): AED 6 per gate
- Off-peak (10–16 · 20–01): AED 4
- Free (01–06); Sundays and public holidays are a flat AED 4 all day
- Abu Dhabi runs a separate system, Darb (bridges into Abu Dhabi island, charged at peak hours only)
Buying a car
- New: dealerships across Sheikh Zayed Road and dedicated auto malls; financing is widely available to residents with a salary transfer.
- Used: most listings are on Dubizzle and at used-car markets (e.g. Al Aweer in Dubai). Certified-pre-owned from a dealer costs more but reduces risk.
- Before you pay for a used car, get a pre-purchase inspection (ADNOC / Tasjeel / specialist centres) and check for outstanding fines or finance against the car.
- Ownership transfer happens at an RTA/registration centre (or ADNOC in Abu Dhabi): you need the seller present (or a power of attorney), valid insurance in the buyer's name, Emirates IDs, and the fees. The plate may transfer or be reassigned.
Car insurance
Insurance must be active to register or renew, and you choose between two tiers:
- Third-party liability — cheaper, covers damage you cause to others only. Minimum legal cover.
- Comprehensive — covers your own vehicle too (accident, theft, fire), usually with agency or non-agency repair options. Recommended for newer cars.
Premiums are typically a few percent of the car's value per year and depend on your no-claims history, the car, and your UAE/again home driving record. Get quotes from aggregators and brokers, not just your bank.
Running costs to budget
- Fuel is cheap by global standards (petrol priced monthly by the UAE), but distances are long.
- Salik / Darb tolls add up fast on a daily commute (see above).
- Parking: paid zones (RTA parking, app-based) in city centres; many buildings include resident parking.
- Annual: insurance renewal + registration (Mulkiya) + inspection from year 3.
This guide covers the ownership cycle. For license conversion, see /guides/transport/overview.