Vehicle Power of Attorney Dubai: Requirements and Steps
By Abdul Hamid Mohammad, Legal Consultant, Private Notary Dubai | Published: February 4, 2025 | Last updated: October 17, 2026
Vehicle Power of Attorney Dubai: What It Is and Who Uses It
The authority given to the agent is limited to what the principal writes into the document. Some owners grant powers over a single car, others over all vehicles they own. The same document can also cover additional powers such as driving or exporting the vehicle, but only if the principal states them. If you only need someone to register or renew a car, a vehicle registration and renewal power of attorney is the related topic; if you are the buyer, see the vehicle purchase power of attorney guide.
Typical tasks an agent can be authorised to do under a vehicle power of attorney:
- List the vehicle for sale at car exhibitions or on online marketplaces
- Negotiate the sale price with buyers
- Sign sale agreements and transfer ownership, whether through a dealership, a car office or a direct sale
- Receive payment, including initial deposits or final instalments
- Complete the ownership transfer procedures with the relevant authorities
- Pay the fees and fines needed to clear the vehicle before handover
What the Document Must State for the RTA
The Roads and Transport Authority sets the condition that matters most for a sale. According to its RTA service page for changing vehicle ownership, a legal representative must hold a power of attorney stipulating the “sale and disposal of vehicles”. A general or loosely worded document that does not reach this point puts the transfer at risk of being refused at the counter.
If the owner is outside the UAE, the RTA states that all powers of attorney issued abroad must be ratified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Our guide to a power of attorney from abroad walks through the attestation chain, which depends on the country of issue.
Documents for a Vehicle Power of Attorney Dubai
There are two stages, and each has its own documents: the notarisation of the power of attorney, and the RTA ownership transfer that the agent completes afterwards.
| Stage | Documents | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Notarising the power of attorney | Emirates ID or passport of the principal; identification details of the agent; the vehicle registration card; phone numbers and email addresses of both parties | Notary practice for the Dubai Courts channel |
| RTA ownership transfer | Valid Emirates ID of buyer and seller; electronic insurance; electronic technical inspection | RTA service page |
| RTA, if applicable | Electronic mortgage release; document proving Gulf Specifications compliance if the customs card does not show it | RTA service page |
| RTA, no traffic file | Passport copy, residence visa copy and Emirates ID copy for residents | RTA service page |
Documents issued abroad generally need ratification and, where relevant, translation. Confirm the exact list for your case before the appointment, because the competent authority can ask for more.
Steps to Issue a Vehicle Power of Attorney Dubai
A vehicle power of attorney is agreed between the two parties and then notarised so that third parties and authorities can rely on it. The notary can be reached through Dubai Courts‘ notary channels or through a licensed private notary such as our office, and the UAE Ministry of Justice publishes the e-notary framework.
RTA Fees for Ownership Transfer (Checked October 2026)
| Item | Official fee (AED) | Collected by |
|---|---|---|
| Light vehicle (private or public) | 350 | RTA |
| Private vehicle (3 to 12 tonnes) | 400 | RTA |
| Private vehicle (over 12 tonnes) | 800 | RTA |
| Motorcycle | 200 | RTA |
| Short plate / long plate | 35 / 50 | RTA |
| Sale and Purchase Agreement | 50 | RTA |
| Knowledge and Innovation fee | 20 | RTA |
The RTA publishes further categories, including heavier vehicles, buses and special plates, on the same page. The notary fee for the power of attorney itself is set by the issuing authority; check Dubai Courts for the current schedule.
Steps at the RTA After You Have the POA
Once the power of attorney is notarised, the agent follows the RTA’s ownership-change process. The detail below comes from the RTA service page for changing vehicle ownership. For a deeper look at this stage, read our guide to the power of attorney for vehicle ownership transfer.
Vehicle With a Bank Loan or Mortgage
A power of attorney does not remove a lien. The RTA lists an electronic mortgage release as a requirement and tells sellers to release a mortgaged vehicle online, so the finance has to be settled before the ownership can change. Whether a notary will draft the document while the finance is still active should be confirmed with the notary before drafting; the competent authority makes that call. Contact us if you are unsure how your Vehicle Power of Attorney Dubai should be worded for a financed car.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
These points follow directly from the conditions the RTA publishes:
- A document that does not stipulate the sale and disposal of vehicles
- Fines still unpaid on the vehicle, in Dubai or another emirate
- A mortgage that has not been released before the transfer is submitted
- A power of attorney issued abroad that has not been ratified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- Letting the 14-day agreement period run out before registration is complete
- Sending the agent to a service centre without the documents the centre requires
Need a Vehicle Power of Attorney Notarised?
Send us your draft or the vehicle details. We assist with the notarisation process; the document is issued through the competent authority.
How Private Notary Dubai Assists
- Drafting or reviewing the vehicle power of attorney so its scope matches your intention
- Arranging the notarisation session in person or by video call
- Explaining which authority issues each document and what it asks for
- Guiding you on related documents, such as cancelling a power of attorney or what happens when a power of attorney expires
Important notes
- The notarised document is issued through the competent authority, not by Private Notary Dubai.
- Final acceptance depends on the RTA or any other body that receives the document.
- Timelines depend on authority scheduling and on the completeness of your documents.
- We do not guarantee any outcome.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a car be sold through a power of attorney in Dubai?
Yes. According to the Roads and Transport Authority, a legal representative can complete the ownership change if the power of attorney expressly covers the sale and disposal of vehicles. The authority also requires the representative to attend in person at its service centres, so the document should be drafted with that role in mind.
What must a vehicle power of attorney state for the RTA?
The RTA’s published conditions say the representative’s power of attorney must stipulate the sale and disposal of vehicles. If the principal also wants the agent to register, renew or insure the car, those powers should be written in too. The competent authority decides whether the final wording is accepted.
Can I issue a vehicle power of attorney from outside the UAE?
Yes, but the RTA states that every power of attorney issued outside the UAE must be ratified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs before it can be used for a vehicle transaction. Because the sequence of attestations depends on the country of issue, check the requirements before signing anything abroad.
What happens if the car has a bank loan or mortgage?
The RTA lists an electronic mortgage release among the requirements for changing ownership, and it expects the seller to release the mortgage online beforehand. A power of attorney does not remove the lien. Settle the finance first, then ask the notary how the document should be drafted for your situation.
Does my agent need to attend the RTA in person?
For applications at Customer Happiness Centres or inspection centres, the RTA says the owner or the legal representative must be present in person. Sellers can also start the online route through the RTA website or app using UAE Pass, but the buyer still completes registration at a service centre.
How long does the sale agreement stay valid at the RTA?
The RTA states that the online Sale and Purchase Agreement is valid for 14 days and is treated as cancelled once that period passes. It also tells parties to complete all licensing transactions within 14 days to avoid penalties, so the agent should have every document ready before starting.
Abdul Hamid Mohammad, Legal Consultant
Abdul Hamid works on legal drafting, commercial disputes and the review of corporate and employment contracts in the UAE. View author profile
Next Steps for Your Vehicle Power of Attorney Dubai
A well-drafted Vehicle Power of Attorney Dubai document states the sale and disposal powers clearly, is ratified if it comes from abroad, and is used only after fines and any mortgage are settled. Check the RTA page for the latest fees, confirm the scope with your agent, then contact us to prepare the notarisation.
Sources: RTA service page for changing vehicle ownership (updated October 6, 2026, checked October 17, 2026); Dubai Courts; UAE Ministry of Justice.
Abdul Hamid is a legal consultant with extensive experience in providing legal advice in the United Arab Emirates. His expertise focuses on legal drafting, resolving commercial disputes, and drafting and reviewing corporate and employment contracts.