Because of the recession and many people leaving the country, the car market in Dubai offers a lot of good deals for used cars, but it is a bit more hassle to buy a car in Dubai and register it in Abu Dhabi.
Step 1: Find a car
I had no particular model in mind, it should be size and performance wise in the range of a Nissan Tiida, which I drove in the UAE as my company car before and I was very happy with. Fuel efficiency was also a major aspect, though petrol prizes here are still incredibly low (55 Dhs = 11 EUR to fill up my tank).
Places to look for cars are:
I became a member of the German Emirates Club and used their forum to look for a used car below 30.000 Dhs (~6000 EUR). I was lucky, when someone offered a Ford Focus 2004 model (5 doors, hatchback) in silver-blue for 16.000 Dhs (~3200 EUR). Though it had 94.000 km already, I called the German guy to view the car and check its condition. I rented a car and we met at the weekend in Dubai. I went for a test drive and immediately fell in love with the car, it’s just fun to drive it, it has a nice design and was very well maintained with only few minor scratches. So we sealed the deal and we will do the transfer next weekend, before he returns to Germany.
Step 2: Car insurance
I took a copy of the current car registration card and went to the Abu Dhabi office of AXA insurance. There I filled out the form and chose the options of the insurance plan. Now they offer many services like quotes etc. online as well. Documents and information required:
- Vehicle details (e.g. Make, Model, Type, Engine No, Chassis No, Seating Capacity, Colour, Engine Capacity )
- Value of the vehicle
- Registration No; (if available)
- Drivers name, Date of birth, license number and issue date for each person to be listed on the policy
- Passport/ID No
- No claims certificate (if available, or a statement has to be signed)
- Bank name and address if the vehicle is financed
- Visa or Master Card or cash for payment
The insurance covers a period of 13 months, as the car registration has to be renewed every 12 months with 1 month grace period for the re-registering. I decided for the Motor Pefect Package and had to pay about 2200 Dhs (~450 EUR), if I do not make any claim under this policy I will get a certain no-claim discount upon renewal next year.
Step 3: Transferring ownership of the car
Few days later we went together to the EPPCO Tasjeel Service Center (a joint venture with the Road and Traffic Authority) in Al Quoz Industrial Area next to Emirates Mall. It’s a one-stop vehicle testing and registration service. The staff do all the vehicle testing and document typing other related services. The average processing time is between 30 to 45 minutes. We took the Al Sayara Express Service which cost me 150 Dhs extra. The vehicle testing costs 50 Dhs and 90 Dhs fee for the RTA, so overall 290 Dhs (~60 EUR). They did all the paperwork and fixed blue export number plates which are valid for 2-3 days. The previous owner only has to pay off any outstanding traffic fines, remove his Salik tag from the windscreen and cancel his Salik subscription. We signed the papers and then I received the key for my first own car.
Step 4: Registering the car in Abu Dhabi
Next evening I was back in Abu Dhabi and went to the Traffic and Licensing Department (same place were I got my driving licence from). First I had to go through the inspection again and queued up at ADNOC test centre, just down the road. I went inside and paid the 60 Dhs (~12 EUR) test fee, I gave the paper to the inspection guy, they checked my car and after 5 minutes I got it back. He gave me the paper to go back inside and get the results printed out. I stopped by the auto-shop to ask them to removed my export number plates (5 Dhs). Then I went to the Traffic Department and submitted the following documents at the counter:
- Valid passport with residence permit
- Employment certificate (issue date should not exceed one month)
- UAE Driving licence
- Car insurance policy for 13 months
- Vehicle technical test result
- Vehicle ownership transfer certificate
- Export number plates
- Fee: 200 Dhs (~40 EUR)
The lady processed my documents and entered everything into the system, 5 minutes later I received the vehicle registration card and a paper to get my number plates.
So I had to drive back, because the number plate manufactory is next to the testing centre. You have to tell them, if you need long or short plates (depending on your vehicle design). I needed two long plates (30 Dhs each), a sticker (5 Dhs) and asked the technicians outside to fix them for me. A screw was broken and they were struggeling for 10 minutes to fix it properly, so I gave 20 Dhs for their efforts.
So overall I had to pay another 350 Dhs (~70 EUR) to register my car in Abu Dhabi. You think that’s it? 
Step 5: Salik Tag for Dubai Toll System
When appoaching Dubai, road signs will mention the distance to next toll gate and advise to get the Salik tag from the closeby petrol stations. I stopped at Eppco, went inside to the counter and said I want to purchase a Salik Tag, you need to give a copy of the vehicle registration card or they’ll do a copy for you (1 Dhs). You will need to fill out a form with all your details and vehicle information and pay 100 Dhs for the starter pack. This includes your Salik RFID tag, a user guide, a card to note down subscription details for top-up, as well as 50 Dhs initial balance on your account.
Back in my car I installed the RFID tag on my windscreen just behind the rear-view mirrow. Then I had to call up the hotline and tell them all my details (which I just entered into the form) again via phone. They will also ask for the T.C. number which can be found on the top of your driving license. Then you will receive your Salik account number and PIN per short message on your mobile phone. Now you can cross the toll gates and the system will deduct 4 Dhs, according to the route. The driver will be informed as soon as the balance drops below 30 Dhs, value can be added to the account via online or mobile payment or at any petrol station in Dubai.
Step 5: Obey to the traffic rules and speed limits
Reckless driving and speeding caused an incredible high rate of traffic accidents and deaths. Two years ago the government of Dubai then took drastic action to increase the safety. Now on Sheikh Zayed road there are high-tech speed cameras every 500 metres and speed limit was reduced to 100 (cameras activate at 121 km/h). After Dubai Marina towards Abu Dhabi speed limit is 120 km/h (cameras activate at 141 km/h). In the Emirate of Abu Dhabi there is the same speed limit of 120, but cameras activate at 161 km/h. Between Dubai and Abu Dhabi many drivers go fast. The problem is not, that they drive 160 km/h, but not keeping safety distance, no indication and checking sidewards before changing lanes and a rude driving style make UAE roads dangerous. But the same applies to people going on the left lanes slowly, while there are 3 lanes onto their right free for them to go at lower speed. When fast lanes are blocked, drivers are tempted to overtake on the right, which is prohibited but common practice. So please be careful while driving, don’t forget to buckle-up your seat belt and enjoy your new car
