RTA Dubai diverts 8 licensing services to smart channels

The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) is intending to divert several licensing services to smart channels starting from the end of this month. The step is part of a strategy to gradually divert all services in line with our government’s policy to limit the number of clients at service centres and make the Smart City initiative a reality.

“As of the end of this April, customers seeking 8 licensing services will be prompted to use smart channels (RTA Website (www.rta.ae), Dubai Drive App, Service Kiosks, and the Call Center (8009090). The services will be gradually phased out at service centres such that they will cease by the end of June,” said Abdullah Yousef Al Ali, CEO of Licensing Agency, RTA.

“The services that will go online are: renewal of registration of individually-owned vehicles that need testing, list of registered vehicles, return from tourist trips, registration of the first owner, vehicle(s) ownership certificate, re-insurance certificate, replacement of lost/damaged ownership certificate, and clearance certificate,” he added.

“The RTA is planning to divert more services by the end of September this year, namely: payment of fines, renewal of vehicle ownership with a different number plate, and the changing of the number plate. Accordingly, the processing of these services will be channelled through the said electronic and smart platforms.

“RTA’s policy of migrating licensing services and others to electronic channels is in response to leadership directives to reduce the number of visitors at service centres and enable clients to process their transactions smoothly at their own convenience. The policy saves customers time & effort, concurs with the Smart City initiative and supports RTA’s first and third strategic goals: Smart Dubai, and People Happiness, respectively,” concluded Al Ali.

RTA proposed no driving license for select expat categories in UAE

Regulating the registration permits of old vehicles, and linking registration and licence fees of vehicles to engine capacity are among other ideas.

The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), in an attempt to further reduce congestion on roads in Dubai, is mulling several proposals, including regulating the issuance of driving licences to select categories of expats.

In a letter by the authority to an Arabic newspaper, the RTA said it has identified means that could help alleviate the traffic problem in the emirate, especially during office hours.

Regulating issuance of driving licences, regulating the registration permits of old vehicles, linking registration and licence fees of vehicles to engine capacity and annual consumption of fuel and annual distance travelled, modifying registration fees for environment friendly vehicles, and incentives to e-vehicles are the ideas on the table that may be implemented after consultation with at the federal level, the RTA letter stated.

Among sustainable solutions that may be implemented within the emirate include encouraging the public to use public transport, improving the vehicle rental market, adjusting start times of schools and offices to reduce the burden on the roads, the letter further added.