If you have submitted a request for a vehicle service in the UAE — a registration renewal, a plate replacement, an ownership transfer, or anything else handled by the traffic authority — you can check its progress online instead of visiting a service centre. Learning how to check vehicle service requests saves you a trip and tells you exactly where your application stands.
Each emirate has its own portal for this. Dubai uses the RTA website and app, Abu Dhabi uses TAMM, and the northern emirates (Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain) are covered by the Ministry of Interior (MOI) platforms. The steps below walk you through every option.
Quick Answer
To check a vehicle service request in the UAE, open the portal for the emirate where you applied — RTA Dubai for Dubai, TAMM for Abu Dhabi, or the MOI UAE website and app for the other emirates — and use the application tracking or “my requests” section with your application/reference number, traffic file number, or Emirates ID. You can also track requests through the RTA app, the MOI UAE app, or in person at a customer happiness centre.
What Counts as a Vehicle Service Request
A service request is any formal application you submit to a traffic authority. Common examples include:
- New vehicle registration and registration renewal
- Ownership transfer between buyer and seller
- Replacement of lost or damaged number plates
- Export plates or tourist plates
- Cancellation of a vehicle registration
- Modifying vehicle details (colour change, engine change)
- Issuing or renewing a vehicle possession certificate
Almost all of these generate an application or reference number at the time of submission. That number is your key to tracking — keep it safe. If you applied at a service centre or through a typing centre, the receipt you received should show it. If you applied online, it is usually shown on screen and sent by SMS and email.
How to Check Vehicle Service Requests in Each Emirate
In Dubai via the RTA
The Roads and Transport Authority handles all vehicle service requests in Dubai. Here is how to check one:
- Visit the RTA website and open the vehicle licensing section, or open the RTA Dubai app on your phone.
- Look for the “Track Application” or application inquiry option (usually under licensing services).
- Enter your application number or reference number. Some services also accept your traffic file number or plate details.
- Submit and review the status shown, along with any remarks or pending steps.
You need an RTA account or UAE PASS login for requests tied to your profile. If you do not have the application number, log in and check the “My Applications” or dashboard area — recent requests are listed there automatically.
In Abu Dhabi via TAMM
Abu Dhabi’s government services, including Abu Dhabi Police vehicle services, run through the TAMM platform:
- Log in to TAMM with your UAE PASS.
- Open “My Requests” or search for the vehicle service you applied for.
- Select the request to see its current stage, any required actions, and the expected completion information.
TAMM sends status updates by SMS and email as your request moves through the stages, so check the mobile number on your profile is current. If you need to change it, see our guide on how to update your mobile number for vehicle services.
In Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain via MOI
The Ministry of Interior covers vehicle services in the northern emirates through its website and the MOI UAE app:
- Open the MOI UAE app or website and log in with UAE PASS.
- Go to the traffic and licensing services section.
- Use the application inquiry or “my transactions” option and enter your reference or transaction number.
- Review the status and any pending requirements.
In Person at a Service Centre
If you prefer face-to-face help, visit a customer happiness centre or an authorised testing/service centre in the emirate where you applied. Bring your Emirates ID and the application receipt or reference number. Staff can pull up the request and explain any pending steps on the spot. This is also the fastest route when a request shows an error you cannot resolve online.
What You’ll Need Before You Start
Tracking usually asks for one or more of the following, so have them ready:
- Application or reference number — issued when you submitted the request.
- Traffic file number — the number on your driving licence file; useful when the application number is missing.
- Plate number and plate code — sometimes accepted as an alternative identifier.
- Emirates ID — needed for login via UAE PASS on most portals.
If you lost your application number, log in to the portal and look under your profile’s request history. For older paper-based applications, the receipt from the service centre is the fallback. Keeping a photo of every receipt on your phone is a habit worth building — it also helps when you check your vehicle registration history later.
Understanding the Status Messages
Portals do not all use identical wording, but the statuses below cover what you will typically see:
| Status | What it means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Submitted / Under review | Your request has been received and is waiting for an officer to review it. | Wait; check again after the stated processing time. |
| Payment pending | The request is approved in principle but fees have not been paid. | Pay online through the portal or app to move it forward. |
| Documents required | Something is missing — an inspection report, insurance, or an ID copy. | Upload or submit the listed document promptly. |
| Approved | The request passed review; issuance or completion is next. | Follow the final steps shown (collection, printing, delivery). |
| Completed / Issued | The service is done — registration card issued, plates ready, etc. | Collect or download the document as instructed. |
| Rejected | The request was declined, usually with a stated reason. | Read the reason, fix it, and reapply if eligible. |
What to Do If Your Request Is Stuck or Rejected
A request sitting on “under review” for longer than the stated processing time usually has a simple cause. The most common ones:
- Unpaid traffic fines. Outstanding fines can block many vehicle services. Check your traffic fines and clear them first.
- Expired insurance. Registration-related requests need valid motor insurance — see our Dubai car insurance guide for how coverage works.
- Pending vehicle inspection. Some requests need a passing technical inspection before they can proceed.
- Mismatched details. If the name, plate, or chassis number on your application does not match the traffic file, the request stalls. Verify your vehicle registration information and correct errors before reapplying.
If a request is rejected, the portal normally states the reason. Fix that specific issue and submit a fresh request — rejected applications generally cannot be “un-rejected.” For renewals specifically, our UAE vehicle registration renewal guide walks through the full process so you can avoid repeat mistakes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I check my vehicle service request without the application number?
Often, yes. Log in to the relevant portal (RTA, TAMM, or MOI) with UAE PASS and open your request or transaction history — submitted requests are usually listed under your profile. Failing that, some inquiry services accept your traffic file number or plate details instead.
How long does it take for a service request status to update?
Online statuses typically update within the stated processing time of the service, which ranges from a few minutes for simple renewals to several working days for transfers or modifications. If nothing changes beyond that window, contact the authority’s helpline or visit a service centre.
Why does my request say “payment pending” when I already paid?
Payments can take time to reconcile, especially bank transfers or payments made at third-party centres. Wait a few hours, then check again. If the status does not change, keep your payment receipt and raise it with the authority’s customer service.
Can someone else check my service request for me?
Only with proper authorisation. Because tracking is tied to your UAE PASS login or traffic file, another person generally cannot check on your behalf unless they hold a valid power of attorney or are an authorised representative (for example, a company PRO handling fleet vehicles).
Is there a fee for checking a service request status?
No. Checking or tracking the status of a submitted request is free on all official portals. Fees apply only to the service itself, such as the renewal or plate replacement fee.
What should I do if the portal shows an error instead of my request?
First, double-check the reference number for typos. Then try a different browser or the mobile app. If the error persists, it may mean the request was lodged under a different emirate’s system — confirm where the original application was submitted and use that emirate’s portal.
Do I get notified when my request status changes?
Yes, in most cases. RTA, TAMM, and MOI send SMS and email notifications at key stages, provided the mobile number on your traffic file is up to date. If you are not receiving them, update your contact details through the portal.
The Bottom Line
Checking a vehicle service request in the UAE takes a couple of minutes once you know which portal covers your emirate: RTA for Dubai, TAMM for Abu Dhabi, and MOI for the rest. Keep your application number handy, make sure fines and insurance are settled before you apply, and use the in-person option when an online status does not make sense. For a related walkthrough, read our guide on how to track a vehicle registration application.
Last Updated: 8 October 2026
About the author: Zaviyar Sultan is a UAE-focused writer at Asandada24, covering driving, visas, banking, insurance and everyday UAE life. His guides are researched from official UAE government and regulator sources and updated regularly.
Asandada24 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.