PlateWatch

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How to transfer a plate

A plate changes owner through the emirate's traffic authority, not through Plate Watch. Below is what each authority's official page said when we read it, with a link to that page.

Fees and steps change. The official page is the one to follow: check it again before you start.

Before you pay

  • Agree the price and how you'll pay before anything else, in writing. On Plate Watch, keep it in your messages.
  • Check that the plate on the transfer is exactly the one you agreed: emirate, code and number.
  • Don't pay before the transfer can be completed. The safest way is to complete the payment and the transfer together, for example at the authority's service centre.
  • Never pay a deposit to someone you haven't met, or money to “hold” a plate.
  • Pay in a way that leaves a record, such as a bank transfer. Avoid paying cash to someone you don't know.
  • Pay the authority's fees only in its own app, website or service centre. Don't send a “transfer fee” to the seller or to a go-between.
  • Plate Watch never holds the money for a plate sale and never transfers plates.

Dubai

Authority: Roads and Transport Authority (RTA)

Apply for Transferring a Vehicle Plate Number (owned number)

The RTA describes it as transferring an owned or reserved plate number through its approved service channels. The buyer receives an electronic Plate Number Ownership Certificate.

Who can apply
Citizens, residents and GCC nationals.
What you need
  • The Emirates ID of the buyer and of the seller.
Where to apply
  • The RTA website.
  • The RTA Dubai app, and the Dubai Now app.
  • RTA Customer Happiness Centres, and Vehicle Registration and Inspection Centres. At a centre, the seller and the buyer must both be there in person.
Steps
  1. The seller signs in (with UAE PASS or an RTA account), chooses the plate number, and chooses to transfer its ownership from the plate services.
  2. Identity is confirmed through UAE PASS and the registered phone number.
  3. The seller enters the buyer's details, accepts the terms and conditions, and submits the request.
  4. The buyer receives an email and an SMS to sign, and the buyer and the seller sign the plate transfer agreement.
  5. The buyer pays the fees.
  6. The buyer receives the Plate Number Ownership Certificate and the payment receipt by email and SMS, and can download them from the website.

These are the steps on the RTA website. The same page describes the steps in the apps and at the centres.

Good to know
  • The number must be in the seller's traffic file.
  • If the number is in use on a vehicle, its use on the vehicle must be cancelled first; the transfer is then completed on sale.
  • The buyer and the seller must both clear any blockers on their traffic files, and the seller must pay all fines on theirs.
Fees
Plate number ownership certificate
AED 100
Knowledge and Innovation fee
AED 20
Total
AED 120

As shown on the official page when we checked it.

How to pay
Cash, credit card or eWallet.

Official page: RTA: Apply for Transferring a Vehicle Plate Number (opens in a new tab). Checked on 21 Oct 2026. The authority's page says it was updated on 6 Oct 2026.

Abu Dhabi

Authority: Integrated Transport Centre (ITC), through TAMM

Waiver of Special Plate Number

TAMM describes it as a request to assign a privately owned special plate number. You receive a special plate number waiver document.

What you need
  • Your Emirates ID (the original).
Where to apply
  • TAMM, signing in with UAE PASS.
  • A service centre.
Steps
  1. Sign in to TAMM with UAE PASS, or visit a service centre.
  2. Submit the application and the required documents.
  3. Pay the fees.
  4. Receive the special plate number waiver document.
Good to know
  • The plates must be handed in before you apply.
  • Any outstanding records must be settled first.
  • The person concerned, or their legally authorised representative, must attend in person when applying at a service centre for the first time, or when signing the Digital Services Agreement.
Fees
Waiver fee
AED 500

As shown on the official page when we checked it.

TAMM's page doesn't describe what the new owner needs to do. Ask the ITC or TAMM before you pay.

Official page: TAMM: Waiver of Special Plate Number (opens in a new tab). Checked on 21 Oct 2026.

Sharjah

Authority: Sharjah Police

We couldn't find the steps, documents and fees for transferring a Sharjah plate on an official page we could open on 21 Oct 2026, so we don't list them here. Ask Sharjah Police before you pay anything.

Check with: Sharjah Police (traffic and licensing services) (opens in a new tab). Checked on 21 Oct 2026.

Ajman

Authority: Ajman Police General Headquarters

Transfer a Vehicle Number

Ajman's government service catalogue describes it as transferring ownership of a distinguished plate number from the current owner to a new owner.

What you need
  • A valid Emirates ID.
Where to apply
  • The Ajman Police website and app, signing in with UAE PASS.
Steps
  1. Sign in with UAE PASS on the Ajman Police website or app.
  2. Submit the application with the required details and documents.
  3. Pay the fee.
  4. You receive a notification when the transfer is complete.
Fees
Number transfer fee
AED 100

As shown on the official page when we checked it.

The page doesn't describe what the new owner needs to do. Ask Ajman Police before you pay.

Official page: Ajman service catalogue: Transfer a Vehicle Number (opens in a new tab). Checked on 21 Oct 2026. The authority's page says it was updated on 16 Oct 2026.

Umm Al Quwain

Authority: Umm Al Quwain Police

We couldn't find the steps, documents and fees for transferring an Umm Al Quwain plate on an official page we could open on 21 Oct 2026, so we don't list them here. Ask Umm Al Quwain Police before you pay anything.

Check with: Umm Al Quwain Police (opens in a new tab). Checked on 21 Oct 2026.

Ras Al Khaimah

Authority: Ras Al Khaimah Police

We couldn't find the steps, documents and fees for transferring a Ras Al Khaimah plate on an official page we could open on 21 Oct 2026, so we don't list them here. Ask Ras Al Khaimah Police before you pay anything.

Check with: Ras Al Khaimah Police (opens in a new tab). Checked on 21 Oct 2026.

Fujairah

Authority: Fujairah Police

We couldn't find the steps, documents and fees for transferring a Fujairah plate on an official page we could open on 21 Oct 2026, so we don't list them here. Ask Fujairah Police before you pay anything.

Check with: Fujairah Police (opens in a new tab). Checked on 21 Oct 2026.