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Deregistering a car in the UAE means officially cancelling its active road registration so it's no longer road-legal under the owner's traffic file — a required legal step before selling a vehicle for scrap, exporting it, or permanently taking it off the road. In Dubai, this service is called Cancel Vehicle Registration through the RTA, and depending on the situation it issues a possession certificate, export certificate or transfer certificate; for a damaged vehicle being handled as scrap, the possession-certificate route is the one most commonly used. Skipping deregistration leaves the vehicle legally tied to the previous owner's traffic file, which means fines, tolls or Salik charges incurred after the car changes hands can still land on the original owner's account. The exact process and required certificate vary by emirate, since Dubai uses RTA services while other emirates rely on their own police or traffic departments.
Important: The procedure depends on the emirate where the vehicle is registered and the certificate required. Dubai uses RTA services, while other emirates may use police or Ministry of Interior licensing channels.
What Do You Usually Need?
- Valid Emirates ID
- Vehicle details in your traffic file
- Both number plates, or a police report for lost plates
- Payment of fees and outstanding fines
- Mortgage release where applicable
- Owner, UAE Pass verification or a legal representative
How to Cancel Vehicle Registration in Dubai
- Pay outstanding Dubai traffic fines linked to the seller or vehicle.
- Release any vehicle mortgage electronically before applying.
- Use the RTA website, RTA Dubai app, Dubai Now or an approved centre.
- Select Cancel Vehicle Registration and the correct certificate type.
- Complete identity verification and choose whether the plates will be returned or reserved where available.
- Pay the transaction fee and any additional charges.
- Hand over the number plates at the centre or through an approved delivery option.
- Receive the electronic certificate and receipt.
For a Dubai electronic application, the plates must be handed over within 14 days after submission and payment. Otherwise, the transaction may be cancelled without a refund.
Do You Need to Bring the Car?
For the standard Dubai possession-certificate process, the official requirements focus on identity verification, the vehicle record, payment and plate handover. The physical vehicle is not listed as a normal requirement.
An electronic technical inspection may be required when the vehicle's electronic licence is expired. Special cases, another certificate type or a vehicle registered outside Dubai may involve different requirements.
What Happens to the Number Plates?
The plates must normally be returned to the relevant licensing authority or handled through an approved plate-delivery option. Some Dubai transactions may allow the owner to reserve the number.
If one or both plates are lost, a police report is required instead of the missing plate.
How Much Does Vehicle Cancellation Cost?
| Dubai possession-certificate charge | Amount |
|---|---|
| Possession certificate | AED 100 |
| Knowledge and Innovation fees | AED 20 |
| Official base total | AED 120 |
Additional costs may arise from fines, inspection, opening a new traffic file, plate delivery, lost-plate reports, transfer to another person or a different certificate type.
Does the Owner Have to Be Present?
The transaction is not restricted only to the owner in every case. At a Dubai Customer Happiness or inspection centre, the owner or a legal representative may attend. Online applications can use UAE Pass, but plate handover and any authority-specific requirements must still be completed.
Is Emirates ID Required?
Yes. Emirates ID is an official requirement for an individual applying for a Dubai vehicle possession certificate.
Can You Drive After Cancellation?
No. Once the registration is cancelled and the possession certificate is issued, the vehicle is not fit for road circulation. Use a recovery truck or towing service.
What Is RTA, and Is Tasjeel the Same Thing?
What is RTA?
RTA stands for the Roads and Transport Authority , the Dubai government authority responsible for roads, public transport and vehicle licensing in Dubai.
In Arabic, Roads and Transport Authority is هيئة الطرق والمواصلات .
What is Tasjeel?
Tasjeel is a vehicle testing and registration service-provider network. Its centres provide services that comply with RTA and federal traffic regulations, and it also works with Sharjah Police.
Therefore, Tasjeel is not the Arabic translation of RTA . The Arabic word تسجيل means registration.
How to Cancel Vehicle Registration in Sharjah
Sharjah vehicle registration and licensing is handled by Sharjah Police rather than the RTA, with Tasjeel operating as an approved service partner for registration-related transactions.
- Pay any outstanding Sharjah traffic fines linked to the seller or vehicle.
- Release any vehicle mortgage or bank finance recorded against the car.
- Submit the cancellation through the Sharjah Police smart app or website, or visit an approved Tasjeel branch.
- Complete identity verification using your Emirates ID and the vehicle's registration card (Mulkiya).
- Pay the applicable transaction fee at the counter or through the digital channel.
- Hand over the number plates as instructed by Sharjah Police or the Tasjeel centre.
- Receive your cancellation certificate or receipt confirming the deregistration.
Because Sharjah's licensing authority is separate from Dubai's RTA, its fee schedule and exact document requirements can differ. Confirm the current transaction fee directly with Sharjah Police or your nearest Tasjeel branch before visiting.
How to Cancel Vehicle Registration in Abu Dhabi
In Abu Dhabi, vehicle registration and traffic services are managed by Abu Dhabi Police, with transactions available through the TAMM government services platform, the Abu Dhabi Police app, or an approved vehicle inspection and licensing centre.
- Settle any outstanding Abu Dhabi traffic fines linked to the seller or vehicle.
- Release any vehicle mortgage or bank finance recorded against the car.
- Start the cancellation request through TAMM, the Abu Dhabi Police app, or an approved licensing centre.
- Complete identity verification using your Emirates ID and the vehicle's registration card (Mulkiya).
- Pay the applicable cancellation fee for the transaction.
- Hand over the number plates as instructed, unless the plate is being reserved where that option applies.
- Receive your deregistration certificate or receipt.
Abu Dhabi Police sets its own fee schedule separately from Dubai's RTA and Sharjah Police. Check the current cancellation fee on TAMM or with Abu Dhabi Police directly, since amounts and required documents can be updated without notice.
Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain
Each Northern Emirate handles vehicle registration cancellation through its own police or traffic department rather than a shared authority. The general pattern is similar to Sharjah and Abu Dhabi — settle fines, release any finance, verify identity, pay the transaction fee and hand over the plates — but always confirm the exact process, fee and document list with the local police or traffic department channel for that emirate before starting.
Do We Provide RTA Process Assistance?
Yes. Sell Scrap Car UAE can guide sellers on the usual steps, explain plate handover and arrange vehicle pickup after cancellation.
We are not RTA, Sharjah Police, Abu Dhabi Police or the Ministry of Interior. The owner or legal representative remains responsible for official identity verification, signatures, fines, mortgage release and authority approval.
Need help preparing your scrap car for legal pickup?
Contact our team for vehicle evaluation, pickup planning and practical cancellation guidance.
+971 55 587 7803Frequently Asked Questions
Usually, the Dubai process focuses on identity verification and plate handover. An inspection may be required in special cases.
A legally authorised representative may attend a Dubai centre. An ordinary helper is not automatically authorised.
No. Use a recovery or towing vehicle.
Obtain the required police report and submit it instead of the missing plate.
AED 120 is the Dubai base total for an owner possession certificate. Other transactions may cost more.
Tasjeel is an approved testing and registration provider. It is not the Arabic name of RTA.