How To Renew Your Vehicle Registration If Your Car Is Expired for Years

Dec 9, 2025 - 2 min read

If your car has been expired for one year or even many years, the renewal process remains the same. The first requirement is ensuring that your car is roadworthy. It must pass the RTA registration renewal test.

Once the test is completed, you need to check whether your car has any fines.

  • These fines can be viewed on the Dubai Police or RTA website or app.
  • In some cases, RTA takes only the fines related to that particular car.
  • In other cases, RTA requires payment of all fines linked to your traffic file.
  • This depends entirely on what the RTA system shows at that moment. If the fines are payable, you can settle them during the renewal process or pay them separately through the Dubai Police website before starting the renewal.

Insurance is also mandatory for registration renewal.

  • For cars that have been expired for more than a year, obtaining full coverage insurance can be difficult.
  • Many companies require the test report along with current-dated pictures of the vehicle for insurance quote approval.
  • However, getting third-party insurance for cars that have been expired for a longer period is generally easier.

Once the test is passed and the insurance is completed, you can renew the vehicle registration online through the RTA website.

Charges

RTA testing fee: AED 170

RTA registration renewal fee: AED 960 (fixed amount for all light vehicles expired for more than a year)

Renew My Car Registration provides this service, assisting you with testing, insurance, fines, and complete renewal support from start to finish.

Can I renew my vehicle registration if it has been expired for several years?

Yes. The process is the same regardless of whether the car is expired for one year or many years. The vehicle must first pass the RTA renewal test.

What if my car has fines from earlier years?

Fines can be checked on the Dubai Police or RTA website/app. Sometimes RTA only charges fines on that particular car, and sometimes all fines on your traffic file must be cleared, it depends on what the RTA system requires at that moment.

Which insurance is easy to get for cars expired for more than a year?

Full coverage insurance is harder to obtain because many companies ask for the test report and current car pictures, but third-party insurance is easier to get for long-expired vehicles.

What are the charges for renewing a vehicle expired for more than a year?

RTA testing fee is AED 170, and the registration renewal fee is AED 960 (fixed for all light vehicles expired for more than one year).

How do I renew the registration after test and insurance?

Once the vehicle passes the test and insurance is completed, you can renew the registration online through the RTA website.