Selling a vehicle in the UAE without coming to the UAE, can I do It Remotely? If you have already moved out of UAE but still own a car registered in the UAE, you can sell it remotely through a Vehicle Power of Attorney that allows one of your UAE friends or relatives to sell and process the RTA transfer of your car remotely.
The easiest way to go about it is through using the e-Notary service of Dubai Courts to notarize your POA while being anywhere in the world through video communication.
Key Takeaways
- You can sell your vehicle in UAE even when you are outside UAE by getting an attorney who will sell the vehicle for you by using the Dubai Courts’ e-Notary service.
- To sell your car remotely, a vehicle POA should first be notarized online or in UAE embassies abroad.
- Prior to selling your car remotely, ensure that your loan is cleared, the RTA vehicle test is passed, and all fines are settled, including Salik.
- Use a Special POA for selling your vehicle in case you decide to authorize someone else to sell it for you.
- Both electronic and paper-based powers of attorney hold equal legal standing and are valid for submission at any RTA outlet in the UAE.
Table of Contents
Why Would You Need a POA for Vehicle Transactions in UAE?
RTA would not change the ownership of the car if either the vehicle’s owner or their agent does not appear in person at their service centre.
In case you have moved out of the UAE, you have two options: either you travel back to get the process done or give POA vehicle authorization to another individual. Of course, for many people, the latter is a much better choice.
POA vehicle authorization is a legal document that has been signed by the UAE court and gives an individual the right to execute the sale agreement and pass over the registration document to RTA.
POA Vehicle Authorization from Overseas: How It Works?
Here are two methods to have your car POA notarized in the UAE.
First, there is the POA Online Notarization method. It is a new initiative that has been introduced by Dubai Courts. Smart electronic notarization services, also known as e-notary, will enable citizens or residents living outside the UAE to notarize a Power of Attorney document remotely without visiting the Notary Public offices in the UAE.
Option 1: POA Notarization via Dubai Courts/Ministry of Justice (MOJ)
Dubai Courts offers smart electronic notarization services through an application
called e-Notary.
How to Get Your POA Document Notarized Online:
Step 1: Contact us with your car sale information. Our team will handle everything
from there.
Step 2: We prepare your POA and then forward it to you via email for approval.
Step 3: After you have approved your POA, we arrange for the e-notarization process through a Zoom/MOJ video call or recording.
Step 4: The Notary Public verifies your identity and signs off on the POA online.
Step 5: Finally, we forward the notarized POA to you via email.
Option 2: Notarization from UAE Embassy/Consulate Overseas
In case you are living in a country where there is a UAE embassy or consulate, notarizing the POA from such places is possible. This is an acceptable method, but it is time-consuming and requires physical presence.
Got more questions? Check our detailed FAQ on Vehicle Power of Attorney in UAE for quick answers on eligibility, document requirements, and processing timelines.
Watch this quick 2-minute video to see how a vehicle POA works and how expats are using it to sell their UAE car remotely:
The Car Transfer Procedure: In Detail
After getting the notarized POA, the next step is to transfer the vehicle is as follows:
Step 1: Repay Your Car Loan
However, in case you have paid for the car through a bank, all the dues must first be settled before the car can be handed over to you.
The bank will inform RTA as soon as the account balance has been settled; normally, the system of RTA gets updated within 24-48 hours.
You will receive a message on your phone saying that the mortgage hold has been released. In case you have already paid for the car, make sure that your bank has released it from its records.
Step 2: Get Your Car Passed by RTA
Every car must first be passed at the RTA before it gets transferred. Your agent drives it to an official RTA testing center, after which you receive a certification noting whether the test has been passed or failed.
Should the vehicle fail, all faults are noted on the certification, and you will be required to get those fixed before passing another test. You must do this early enough because fixing these faults takes some time.
Step 3: Clear Your Traffic Fines
Your agent will be unable to transfer your vehicle without clearing all traffic fines that you owe. These fines can be cleared via the RTA website or the Dubai Police app. Alternatively, your agent will be able to clear these fines during the transfer process itself.
Step 4: Purchase Insurance for the Buyer
Insurance coverage will need to be obtained by the buyer in order for the transaction to occur. If your current policy still has seven months or more left on it, then it might be transferred to the buyer; however, not all companies permit this.
Alternatively, you can terminate your policy (and get a refund, if applicable) while the buyer purchases their own insurance policy.
Step 5: Process the Transfer at RTA
This marks the end of the process. You and the buyer come to the RTA service centre together with all the necessary documentation.
Required Documents at RTA:
Your Agent Brings | Buyer Brings |
| POA Notarized (original or valid e-copies) | Valid Insurance |
| Emirates ID (or copies according to POA conditions) | Copy of Passport with UAE Residence Visa |
| Vehicle registration (Mulkiya) | Copy of Emirates ID |
| Valid RTA Test Certificate | Driving License of UAE (with 1 copy) |
| Driving License of the UAE |
On the counter, both parties complete the sale and purchase form. The buyer hands over the amount of money as agreed to the seller (or your agent) along with the fees for RTA’s transfer process. RTA issues the buyer a new ownership card and plate number.
For more information on selling a car in Dubai, check out our step-by-step guide on “How to sell your car in Dubai if you live abroad.”
Top Mistakes to Avoid in Selling Your UAE Car Remotely
With countless POA vehicle sales handled at our company, we know where common mistakes lie:
- Utilizing a POA rather than a Special POA for Vehicle Sale: ensure the POA Only grants power related to the specific sale of your vehicle.
- Neglecting Salik and parking fines: RTA fines are not the only types of Fines that may prevent the transfer of your UAE vehicle.
- Thinking payment in full equates to mortgage cancellation: check with your bank regarding changes in RTA records.
- Procrastinating with the process: fines accrue, insurance expires, and your vehicle depreciates with time.
Need to sell your car in the UAE from abroad? Get your POA vehicle authorization started today.
FAQs
1) Will I be able to sell my vehicle registered in Abu Dhabi via a POA from Dubai Courts?
A POA issued via Dubai Courts will be accepted everywhere in UAE, although various emirates might have their own set of requirements. It’s best to mention which emirate your vehicle is registered in within the POA.
2) What happens if I am using an expired Emirates ID card?
There will be problems. It is advisable to enter the passport details and Emirates ID number in the POA to avoid any issues. Contact us before you start the process.
3) Can I sell a car that has a mortgage on it?
No, because the mortgage has to be paid off before selling the car. First, pay off any outstanding payments from the bank and wait until the car is released in RTA’s database. Then sell the car.
4) Will the electronic Power of Attorney be accepted at any RTA center?
Yes, because an electronic POA notarized at Dubai Courts is considered equal in value to a paper POA.
5) Will a POA for vehicle export be needed?
A POA for vehicle export is required and differs in content and scope. We can produce a generic Vehicle POA.
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