If however, you have decided to dive into the second-hand market, there are several extra things to consider

as you will have to transfer ownership of the car and ensure it is properly insured and tested. Ownership is transferred through a vehicle licensing centre or the Traffic Police Headquarters. When transferring ownership in Dubai, bring along your original passport and a copy, your UAE driving licence, a copy of your residence visa, the car's registration card, the original insurance document, the licence plates and the relevant fees. The person selling the car to you must go with you to sign the documents to allow the transfer of ownership and they must bring along a passport copy and a copy of their residence permit.

Fees
At this stage the vehicle's records will be checked to ensure the person selling the car is the legitimate owner and there are no outstanding fines. If the car is already insured under the previous owner, this insurance can be transferred to the purchaser. Alternatively, if the vehicle is being bought from a dealer, you must take the sale deed letter with you. Once all the relevant documents have been submitted, you have to pay the ownership transfer fee (Dh320) plus additional fees and soon afterwards the new vehicle registration document, which is credit card sized, will be issued. For more details contact the Vehicle Licensing Department at the Road Traffic Authority on 04-217-2221 or 04-217-2229. Alternatively, contact Tasjeel in Al Aweer on 04-333-1510. Vehicles over two years old must be tested (Dh50) annually at an Eppco Tasjeel Centre, an Emarat Shamil Centre or another accredited outlet. Don't forget to bring along the registration card.

In Sharjah
Car registration, testing, insurance and ownership transfer can be done at Tasjeel Auto Village on the Emirates Road in Sharjah. For details, call 06-548-7111. The total cost of car registration is Dh350 in addition to which there are vehicle testing fees and other related fees. For full details, call 06-538-1111.

Hi, drsb, This is the process i followed, it may vary slightly in Dubai but not much unless they changed the rules since last week, which is very possible in this country. You can pay the owner anytime you like.

You will need the following documentation, 1. Three copies of your passport and visa, also the original. 2. Three CLEAR copies of your drivers license and the original. 3. A completed ownership transfer form that you will get from the Dubai Traffic Police (this form should be filled in by the owner). 4. Proof that the fines have been paid from Dubai Traffic Police. 5. Copy of the owners registration papers that show the car is not owned by the bank. Then, at the DTP get an export permission form, pay the fees and transport the car to the Abu Dhabi Traffic Police, then roadworthy the car at the Abu Dhabi Traffic Police, then get insurance for the car in YOUR name. Then register the car at the Abu Dhabi Traffic police in your name. You will need all the papers listed and about 500Dhs to cover all the costs. Good Luck. Having gone through this process I thought I'd better let you know of the one major change that differed from all of the posts / blogs i'd seen. When you go to the RTA in dubai to essentially "unregister" the car, they take the plates off. They used to issued blue export plates. However they NO LONGER do this. Instead, you have to pay someone to transport the car for you to the registration centre in Muroor Road, or the second ADNOC on the way to Abu Dhabi. They also have a registration/testing centre. The cost of transporting your car will be 400 AED (I got him down to 350)

Vehicle Registration Dubai

Vehicle Registration in Dubai is important to give legitimacy to ones vehicle like most other countries. Registration of vehicle is a must before applying for car insurance.

Registration of New Vehicle

Generally all the formalities required are done by the dealer in case of registration of new vehicle. One has to just provide the relevant documents to the dealer like - passport with residence visa, valid insurance papers and driving license. Thereafter, from the subsequent years one has to renew the registration. Otherwise, the procedure of registration of a new car is similar with that of a used car.

Registration of a new or used car in Dubai

The first step for car registration in Dubai is to get the car insured first as insurance documents is mandatory for registering a car. In case of registration of a used car, both the seller and buyer who should be a resident of Dubai must be present. In absence of the seller, a sale deed letter from the dealer or an authorized showroom should be produced. Since, August 2010 re-registration of vehicle from other emirates can be done. So, vehicle from other emirates should cancel their previous vehicle registration before applying for re-registration.

Documents Required For Vehicle Registration

Passport with residence visa or Dubai driving license. Insurance Policy. Relevant documents from Bank with No Objection Letter if the car is financed by bank. Old Registration Card. Original License Plates. Tenancy agreement for those who do not have residence visa in Dubai. In absence of tenancy agreement a telephone bill not of a mobile is to be given to prove ones stay in Dubai. Copies of all the above documents.

Fees required
Fees charged for Car Test is 50 Dhs and for registration is 420 to 470 Dhs. The seller must make payments to settle any previous pending fines if required.

Renew of Vehicle Registration Dubai

Renewal of vehicle registration has to be done annually. A fine of 150 Dhs may be imposed for late registration. You will get a grace period of 1 month if the registration has expired,but after one month, you will be fined at AED100 for each month. Selected insurance companies generally provide renew of car registration. Insurance is for a period of 13 months thus giving one month as grace period for renewal after expiry of registration.

Documents required for registration renewal

Motor vehicle insurance certificate Old Registration Card. Passed car test certificate.

Procedure for registration renewal

One can check for any outstanding fines from Dubai Police Police Website (http://www.dubaipolice.gov.ae/dp/english/e_services.jsp?Page=A26&Id=13370&num2=SRV&mainlayid=194 ) and settle the same after payment. The car which is more than two years old should get tested at the mechanical testing department of Dubai Traffic Police. Bank clearance certificate is required to be shown where the car is no longer financed by a bank. After the payment of the fees one has to wait for the registration card with validity of one year. A sticker is provided with new registration expiry date which is to be placed on the number plate at the rear of the vehicle covering the old one. Thereafter, copies of the registration card should be send to the finance and insurance company.

Fees
A fee of 50 Dhs is charged for the testing of car and for registration a fee 0f 385 Dhs is charged.