How to Check Car Registration Expiry – Asantata34

Asan Tata— October 9, 2026

If you are wondering how to check car registration expiry in the UAE, the answer is simpler than most drivers expect. Every vehicle on UAE roads carries a registration card — the mulkiya — that stays valid for exactly one year from the date it was issued or last renewed. Driving with an expired registration can lead to traffic fines (typically AED 500 in Dubai), and the vehicle may be impounded in some cases, so knowing your expiry date — and how to confirm it online — is one of those small habits that keeps car ownership stress-free.

You have two easy options: read the expiry date printed on your physical registration card, or look it up through an official channel — the RTA in Dubai, TAMM in Abu Dhabi, or the MOI UAE app in the other emirates. All you need is your plate number, traffic file number, or Emirates ID. Below is every method, step by step, plus what to do if you discover your registration has already expired.

Quick Answer

The fastest way to check your car registration expiry is the expiry date printed on your mulkiya card. Online, Dubai drivers should use the RTA website or RTA Dubai app, Abu Dhabi drivers can use TAMM, and drivers in the other emirates can use the MOI UAE app. Enter your plate number or traffic file number to see the expiry date instantly. Registration is renewed every year — our guide to vehicle registration renewal walks through the full process.

How to Check Car Registration Expiry on the Mulkiya Card

Before opening any app, check the card itself. The expiry date is printed on the front of your vehicle registration card, usually labelled “Expiry Date” alongside the issue date, plate number, and chassis number. If you keep the card in your glove box, this takes about ten seconds.

Two practical tips here. First, take a clear photo of both sides of the card and keep it in your phone — it is handy for insurance renewals, parking registrations, and any roadside check. Second, if the card is damaged, faded, or missing, skip to the online methods below, and consider applying for a replacement for a lost registration card so you always have valid proof of registration in the car.

How to Check Car Registration Expiry in Dubai

Dubai-registered vehicles are handled by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). You have three official digital options, and all of them are free to use for a simple enquiry.

Via the RTA website

1. Go to the official RTA website and open the vehicle licensing section.
2. Choose the option to enquire about your vehicle licence or registration status.
3. Enter your plate number (including the plate code, e.g. the letter and emirate) or your traffic file number.
4. Submit the enquiry — the system will display your vehicle’s details, including the registration expiry date.

The website works without an app install, which makes it the best choice if you are on a desktop or borrowing someone’s phone. For a deeper look at everything shown on the record — owner name, model year, mortgage status and more — see our guide on how to check car registration details.

Via the RTA Dubai app

1. Download the “RTA Dubai” app and log in with UAE Pass.
2. Open “My Vehicles” — any vehicle registered under your traffic file appears here automatically.
3. Tap the vehicle to see its registration expiry date, insurance status, and any pending fines.

The app is worth keeping installed anyway: it also handles renewals, fine payments, and plate services in the same place.

Via DubaiNow

DubaiNow, the city’s all-in-one government services app, also shows your registered vehicles and their licence expiry dates under the driving section. Log in with UAE Pass, add the driving service if needed, and your expiry date appears alongside other vehicle information.

How to Check Expiry in Abu Dhabi and the Other Emirates

TAMM (Abu Dhabi)

Abu Dhabi’s government services run through TAMM. Log in with UAE Pass, head to the vehicles or driving section, and open your vehicle record to see the registration expiry date. TAMM also lets you start the renewal process from the same screen, which is convenient if the expiry is close.

MOI UAE app (all emirates)

The Ministry of Interior’s MOI UAE app covers vehicles registered in Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, and Umm Al Quwain — and it works for Abu Dhabi and Dubai records too in many cases. After logging in with UAE Pass, open “My Vehicles” (or the traffic services section) to see each vehicle’s registration expiry date. The MOI portal is also the place to check federal traffic fines, so it doubles as a useful periodic check-up tool for fines and registration in one place.

Methods at a Glance

What to Do If Your Registration Has Already Expired

Finding an expired date is not a disaster, but it does need prompt action. Do not drive the vehicle until it is renewed — driving with expired registration is a traffic offence, and if you are stopped or involved in an accident, the consequences get significantly worse. Note that your car insurance also typically lapses with the registration, which is another reason to sort it out before getting behind the wheel.

Here is the practical order of operations:

1. Check the grace period. Some emirates allow a short grace period after the expiry date during which you can renew without a late penalty. Confirm the current rule on the official portal rather than assuming it.
2. Gather your documents. You will generally need your Emirates ID, the old registration card, and valid insurance. Our car registration renewal requirements guide lists everything by emirate.
3. Get the vehicle tested if needed. Cars older than three years usually need to pass a technical inspection at an authorised testing centre before renewal.
4. Renew online. Follow our step-by-step guide to renew your car registration — in most cases the whole thing can be done through the RTA, TAMM, or MOI channels above, and the new mulkiya is issued digitally.
5. Clear any fines first. Outstanding traffic fines must normally be paid before a renewal goes through, so settle those in the same session.

Common Problems When Checking Expiry Online

• The vehicle does not appear in the app. This usually means the car is not registered under your traffic file — common with company cars, newly purchased vehicles, or cars registered under a family member’s name. Log in with the correct account, or check the ownership record.
• The details look wrong. A mismatch in the owner name or plate number often follows a recent transfer or data entry error. If the records do not match your documents, get the registration details corrected before your next renewal.
• You just bought the car. After a purchase, the registration record updates to the new owner during the transfer process. Until then, the previous owner’s details — and their expiry timeline — may still show.
• Login or UAE Pass issues. Most government apps now require UAE Pass verification. If login fails, update the app and make sure your UAE Pass account is active and linked to your current mobile number.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How long is a UAE car registration valid?

One year from the date of issue or last renewal. There is no multi-year option for private vehicles, so the expiry check becomes an annual routine for every car owner.

Can I check my car registration expiry without the mulkiya card?

Yes. The online methods above only need your plate number, traffic file number, or Emirates ID with UAE Pass login. The physical card is convenient but not required for an online enquiry.

Is there a grace period after my registration expires?

Some emirates allow a short grace period after the expiry date for renewing without a late penalty, but the rules differ by emirate and can change. Check the official RTA, TAMM, or MOI portal for the current position, and avoid driving the car in the meantime unless the rules clearly allow it.

What is the fine for driving with an expired registration?

Driving with expired registration is a traffic offence — in Dubai the fine is typically AED 500, and the vehicle may be impounded in some cases. Confirm current penalties on the official portal or in our UAE traffic fines guide, and renew before driving.

Can I check the expiry for a car I just bought?

Yes, once the ownership transfer is complete and the vehicle sits under your traffic file, it will appear in the official apps with its expiry date. If the transfer was very recent, allow a short time for the records to update.

Why can’t I find my vehicle in the RTA or MOI app?

The most common reasons are logging in with the wrong account, the car being registered under a company or another person, or a recent registration that has not synced yet. Verify which traffic file the vehicle is registered under, and update the app to the latest version.

Can I renew my registration before the expiry date?

Yes, you can renew ahead of time — many drivers do it a few weeks early to avoid last-minute testing-centre queues. Once the renewal is issued, the portal and your new mulkiya will show the updated validity period.

The Bottom Line

Checking your car registration expiry takes less than a minute: glance at the date on your mulkiya card, or look it up on the RTA website, TAMM, or the MOI UAE app with your plate or traffic file number. Set a reminder a few weeks before the date each year, keep your insurance valid alongside it, and renew online before the expiry arrives. It is one of the simplest ways to stay on the right side of UAE traffic rules.

Last Updated: 8 October 2026

About the author: Asan Tata is a UAE-focused writer at Asantata34, covering driving, visas, banking, insurance and everyday UAE life. His guides are researched from official UAE government and regulator sources and updated regularly.

Asantata34 is an independent informational website, not affiliated with the UAE government or any agency mentioned; content is general information only, not legal, immigration or financial advice; verify critical details with official sources before acting.

Asan Tata

Asan Tata is an independent information platform providing simple, practical guides on UAE visas, banking, insurance, driving licences, and government-related services. Our team researches information from reliable and official sources to make complex topics easier to understand.