Asan Tata— October 9, 2026Losing your car registration card is the kind of small problem that can quietly turn into a bigger one if you ignore it. In the UAE, the registration card — often called the mulkiya — is the official proof that your vehicle is registered and legal to drive, and you are expected to have it with you whenever you are behind the wheel. If yours has slipped out of your wallet or vanished from your glovebox, this guide explains How to Replace a Lost Car Registration Card in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and the northern emirates: what you need, where to apply, what it costs, and how long it takes.
The good news first: this is one of the simplest transactions any UAE traffic department offers. No vehicle inspection, no new insurance policy, and in most cases no police report. The whole thing can usually be done online in a few minutes, with the replacement card issued the same day.
Quick Answer
- Where to apply: the RTA website or RTA Dubai app in Dubai, the TAMM platform in Abu Dhabi, and the Ministry of Interior’s MOI UAE app or the local police traffic department in Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain.
- What you need: your Emirates ID, your traffic file number or plate number, and the basic vehicle details.
- Inspection or new insurance: neither is required for a simple lost-card replacement.
- Cost: modest — fees differ by emirate, so check the official portal for the current amount rather than trusting an old figure quoted in a blog post.
- Turnaround: usually the same day; Dubai and Abu Dhabi also issue a digital card in the app immediately.
- Expiry date: unchanged — the replacement is a copy of your existing registration, not a renewal.
Before You Apply: What You’ll Need
Gather these before you start and the application takes only a few minutes:
- Emirates ID (original). This identifies you as the vehicle owner and links the application to your traffic file.
- Traffic file number or plate number. If you have your traffic file number from a previous transaction, use it. If not, your plate number plus the vehicle details is usually enough.
- Vehicle details. Make and model at minimum; the chassis number helps if there is any mismatch in the records. If you are unsure what is on file, check your car registration details online first so you are applying against the correct record.
- A current phone number on your traffic file. One-time passcodes and status updates go to the number linked to your file, so make sure it is one you can still access.
If your card was stolen rather than simply lost, file a police report first — not because the replacement requires it, but to protect yourself in case the card is misused later. For a genuinely lost card, most emirates do not ask for a police report at all.
How to Replace a Lost Car Registration Card in Dubai
Dubai handles this almost entirely digitally through the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). You have three routes:
1. Online via the RTA website
Log in to the RTA website with your UAE Pass or account credentials, open the vehicle licensing services, and select the service for replacing a lost or damaged registration card. Choose the vehicle, confirm the details on screen, pay the fee by card, and submit. The digital replacement card appears in your account right away; you can then choose to collect the physical card or have it delivered.
2. The RTA Dubai app
The same service lives inside the RTA Dubai app, which many drivers find quicker. Go to your vehicles, request the replacement, and pay in the app. The digital card that appears in the app carries the same legal weight as the printed one for everyday checks, so you are covered even before the physical card reaches you.
3. In person at a customer happiness centre
Visit an RTA customer happiness centre with your Emirates ID. Staff pull up your traffic file, verify ownership, and print the replacement card on the spot. This is the reliable fallback if your online account has access problems — for example after a phone number change.
One housekeeping note: a replacement card does not change your registration’s expiry date. If your registration is due for renewal soon anyway, it may be simpler to renew your car registration instead — the renewal issues a fresh card at the end and saves you a separate duplicate fee.
Replacing a Lost Card in Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and the Northern Emirates
The process is much the same everywhere; only the portal changes:
- Abu Dhabi: apply through the TAMM platform, the official Abu Dhabi government services portal, or visit a service centre. Once processed, the digital card updates in your account.
- Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain: these emirates generally handle traffic services through the Ministry of Interior’s channels — the MOI UAE app or the ministry’s website — or in person at the local police traffic department.
| Emirate | Where to apply | Typical turnaround |
|---|---|---|
| Dubai | RTA website, RTA Dubai app, or customer happiness centre | Same day; digital card issued immediately |
| Abu Dhabi | TAMM platform or service centre | Same day in most cases |
| Sharjah | MOI UAE app or Sharjah Police traffic department | Same day to a few working days |
| Northern Emirates | MOI UAE app or local police traffic department | Usually same day at the counter |
Procedures are tweaked from time to time, so it is always worth confirming the exact steps on the official portal for your emirate before you start.
Lost, Damaged or Destroyed: Does It Matter?
Not really — the replacement process is the same in all three cases. The only practical difference is that a damaged card can be handed in at the counter when you collect the new one, while a lost card obviously cannot. There is no separate “damaged card” track to worry about; the service is normally listed as replacement of a lost or damaged registration card. If your card is merely faded but readable, it is still valid — but replacing it before it becomes illegible saves you an awkward conversation at a checkpoint.
Replacing a Card for a Company or Fleet Vehicle
If the vehicle is registered under a company rather than an individual, the owner of record is the trade license holder. The application is usually made by an authorised signatory or PRO, and you will need the company trade license (copy) in addition to the vehicle details. Some departments ask for an authorisation letter on company letterhead. The steps are otherwise identical to an individual application — same service, same card, just different paperwork at the ownership check.
Fees: What a Replacement Card Costs
Replacement fees are modest and set per emirate, and they change occasionally — so treat any specific figure quoted in an old article with suspicion. As a rough guide, most motorists pay a small fee in the tens of dirhams. Choosing courier delivery instead of collecting the card yourself can add a delivery charge, and in-person applications sometimes carry a small knowledge or service fee on top. The reassuring part: the exact amount appears on screen during the online application before you pay, so you always see the official number before committing to anything.
Clearing Fines Before You Apply
Some emirates ask you to clear outstanding traffic fines before a duplicate card is issued, while others process the replacement regardless. Either way, unpaid fines only complicate your life — check and pay your traffic fines first, and the replacement application will go through without surprises.
If Someone Else Finds or Misuses Your Lost Card
A lost registration card on its own does not let anyone drive away with your car or register it in their name — ownership records are tied to your Emirates ID and traffic file, not the piece of plastic. Still, stay alert: if your card was stolen, or if you start receiving fines or notifications for a vehicle you do not recognise, contact the police immediately. Keep the reference number of any report you file; it is useful if a dispute arises later. And once the replacement card is issued, the old card number is normally superseded in the system, which limits what anyone can do with the lost copy.
Keep a Backup So Next Time Hurts Less
Once the replacement is in hand, spend five minutes making sure a repeat is painless:
- Use the digital card. The RTA Dubai app and TAMM keep an official digital copy of your registration card. If you ever lose the physical card again, the digital version is accepted at most checks — and downloading your car registration documents for safekeeping takes seconds.
- Keep your contact details current. If your phone number or address has changed since the original card was issued, update your car registration details so notifications and replacement cards actually reach you.
- Authorise someone you trust. If you travel often, having a family member who can act for you avoids stress in situations like this — a power of attorney covers vehicle transactions on your behalf.
- Photograph the new card. A clear photo stored on your phone (not just in the gallery, but somewhere searchable) gives you the card number, expiry date and chassis number instantly whenever a form asks for them.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do I need a police report to replace a lost registration card in the UAE?
Generally, no — Dubai and Abu Dhabi do not require a police report for a simply lost card. If the card was stolen, filing a report is strongly recommended to protect yourself, and some northern emirates may still ask for one. Check your emirate’s portal for the current rule.
Can I drive while waiting for the replacement card?
Yes, in practice. The digital card in the RTA Dubai app or TAMM is accepted as proof of registration, and keeping your application receipt on your phone is sensible backup. Avoid relying on a photo of the old card for long — the official digital copy is what counts.
Does replacing the card change my registration expiry date?
No. The replacement is an exact copy of your existing registration with the same expiry date. If the expiry is near, consider renewing instead of paying for a duplicate first.
Can someone apply for the replacement on my behalf?
Yes — the vehicle owner or an authorised person can apply. Online services usually need the owner’s login or UAE Pass, while in-person applications accept an authorised representative with proper documentation.
How long does a replacement take?
Online applications in Dubai and Abu Dhabi typically produce the digital card immediately, with the physical card ready the same day or delivered within a few working days. Counter applications in other emirates are usually completed on the spot.
What if my registration has also expired?
Then you need a renewal, not just a replacement. Renewing your vehicle registration involves an inspection and insurance, and a fresh registration card is issued at the end — so no separate replacement is needed.
I lost my card but the car was registered in another emirate. Where do I apply?
Always apply in the emirate where the vehicle is registered, because that is where your traffic file lives. Your residence visa emirate does not matter here — the plate’s emirate decides.
Will the replacement card look different from the original?
No. It carries the same details — plate number, owner name, vehicle specifications and expiry date. It is simply a reprint of your current record.
The Bottom Line
A lost registration card is a minor problem with a straightforward fix: confirm your traffic file details, apply through your emirate’s official portal, pay the small fee, and you will have a replacement — usually the same day. Keep the digital copy in the official app, keep your contact details current, and this particular headache stays a five-minute task.
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.
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