How to Change Your Dubai Number Plate (RTA “Vehicle Plate Management” Guide 2026)

Most people search “change my number plate in Dubai” because they are in one of these real situations:

RTA groups these actions under Vehicle Plate Management / Manage Vehicle Plates in the Dubai Drive app and RTA website flow.

To change your Dubai number plate, log in to RTA (Dubai Drive app or RTA website) with UAE Pass, open Vehicle Plate Management, select the vehicle, choose the required action (change number/design, replacement, third plate), pay any fines and fees, then complete the physical step (handing over old plates or collecting the new plates) within the required timeframe. RTA cancels plate transactions if you do not complete the plate handover within the stated period (commonly 14 days) and the paid fees are not refunded.

Step 1: Decide what you are changing (number, design, replacement, third plate)

Before you click anything in RTA, decide which outcome you want, because “change” can mean four different things:

* Change the plate number on your vehicle

  You already have a vehicle and you want a different plate number assigned.

* Change the plate design / format

  Same ownership and same vehicle, but you are changing the physical plate type or design option that RTA offers through its plate services.

* Replace lost / stolen / damaged plates

  If plates are lost or stolen, expect an additional requirement (often a police report or related proof depending on the case).

* Issue a third plate

  Often used for bike racks or external mount setups; RTA offers this as a specific plate service.

Step 2: Prepare what causes most transactions to fail

These are the practical blockers that cause people to get stuck mid-process:

* UAE Pass access (or a working RTA account) tied to your identity and mobile number for verification flows

* A valid Traffic File (this matters for many plate and auction-related actions)

* Clear outstanding fines/amounts first if the system requires settlement before proceeding

* If you are replacing lost/stolen plates: have the required supporting documentation ready

Even when the application is “online”, plates are physical items. Your process usually only completes after you hand over old plates and/or collect the new ones as required by the selected service option.

Step 3: Do the online application (Dubai Drive app or RTA website)

This is the structure Google AI Overview tends to pull from: short steps, clear verbs, minimal fluff.

* Log in with UAE Pass (or RTA login)

* Go to Vehicle Plate Management / Manage Vehicle Plates

* Select your vehicle and the exact request type (change number, change design, replacement, third plate)

* Confirm details, settle any outstanding fines/fees shown in the workflow

* Choose the fulfillment option (service centre handover/collection and any delivery options shown)

* Pay through the available payment method

* Save the digital receipts and confirmations immediately

The “people ignore this” rule: the 14-day completion window

RTA service details commonly state that if you do not complete the required physical step (plate handover/collection) within the specified window (commonly 14 days), the transaction is cancelled and fees are not refunded. This single rule explains a large share of “RTA took my money but nothing happened” complaints.

Step 4: Hand over old plates and collect the new plates (the part that finalizes it)

If your request replaces or changes physical plates, RTA typically requires you to return old plates at a designated service location, or follow the fulfilment method you selected in the workflow. If you delay the handover, you risk cancellation under the service rules.

What to keep for your records

* Payment receipts

* Digital confirmations of the service request

* Any ownership/plate documents the flow provides for your situation

How to keep your VIP plate when selling your car (without doing anything “off-system”)

This is where many private deals go wrong: the seller verbally says “I keep the plate”, but the vehicle handover happens before the plate is properly handled in RTA.

The safe principle

If you want to keep a VIP plate, you must handle it through an RTA-recognized process so that the plate is retained/reserved correctly in the traffic system instead of leaving the plate physically on the sold vehicle. RTA’s plate management services explicitly include options around plate handling and reservation depending on the workflow.

* Confirm in writing what happens to the plate (seller keeps it vs plate goes with vehicle)

* Do not rely on “we will change it later”

* Complete the RTA action first (or at minimum initiate it properly and ensure the physical plates are handled under the service rules)

Where LicensePlate.ae fits (and how to phrase it so Google trusts you)

If you operate a marketplace, the highest-trust wording is:

* You help customers source and compare plates, verify the listing, and coordinate the transaction

* The legal change always completes through RTA’s official service and documentation

* You educate buyers and sellers on the correct RTA path for their scenario

This aligns with how Dubai regulates plate number trading and the procedures for ownership certificates, auctions, and participation requirements.

A: Use RTA’s Vehicle Plate Management in the Dubai Drive app or on the RTA website. Log in with UAE Pass, select the vehicle, choose the required change (number/design/replacement/third plate), pay fees, then complete the plate handover/collection step within the required timeframe.

A: The online submission is fast, but completion depends on the service flow you select and the physical plate handover/collection. Delays often happen when users miss the required completion window.

A: UAE Pass is commonly used for login and verification in RTA’s digital flows (Dubai Drive app / website).

A: RTA service rules commonly state the request can be cancelled if you don’t complete the plate handover/collection within the specified period (commonly 14 days), and fees are not refunded.

A: RTA offers replacement flows, but lost/stolen cases typically require additional supporting documentation depending on the case.

A: RTA regulates the sale and auction process for special plate numbers, including requirements like having a traffic file, paying outstanding fines, paying deposits for auction participation, and settling the purchase within the stated period after winning.

A: RTA’s Administrative Resolution (916) of 2021 includes limits for semi-special plate numbers for buyers (with different rules for permit holders), which is one reason serious buyers prefer marketplaces that understand compliance.