1.2251704-3181243483
A car workshop mechanic checks a car in Dubai. Image Credit: Gulf News archives

Dubai: Renewal of registration for all vehicles can only be done online from July 22, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) announced on Sunday.

The move comes as part of the RTA’s efforts to migrate most of its services to smart platforms.

The latest migration will see eight of its services available online only, including renewal of registration for all privately owned vehicles that require annual technical testing.

Also read: How to transfer used-car ownership in Dubai

Renewal of registration for commercial fleets as well as new private vehicles that don’t require testing were moved online in 2015 and 2016 respectively.

The new move will cut down the rush at Tasjeel, Al Shamil and other RTA affiliated registration and testing centres as most customers will move online.

Apart from vehicle registration, seven other important services will also be unavailable at the customer service centres and can be accessed only through RTA’s website (www.rta.ae), Dubai Drive app, Smart Kiosk and call centre (8009090).

The eight diverted services are renewal of registration of an individually-owned vehicle that needs testing, printing of a detailed list of registered vehicles, return from tour certificate, first owner registration certificate, vehicle ownership certificate, re-insurance certificate, ownership certificate in replacement of lost/damaged one, and clearance certificate.

“The step is part of RTA’s strategy for gradual diversion of all services to smart and e-channels, which is in line with the Government’s directives to reduce the number of visitors to service centres, and the Smart City initiative,” said Abdullah Yousuf Al Ali, CEO of RTA’s Licensing Agency.

Once the new system gets activated next Sunday, motorists who visit the vehicle testing centres for their annual vehicle inspection will get only their test results at the centres and they will have to carry on the rest of the steps related to vehicle registration online.

According to Al Ali, the results will also be updated immediately in the system and the customers can do the online registration instantly.

In the next phase, the RTA will also send the vehicle test certificates on the registered emails of the customers.

He added that the RTA has a plan to offer more licensing services online in October this year, including payment of fines, renewal of vehicle ownership, and changing of vehicle ownership with number plate, and the changing of number plate.