Dubai Number Plate Check: Find Car Owner Details Online (2025 Guide)

Reading Time: 18 minutes Ok so here’s the thing about RTA plate number search in Dubai… Let me share what I wish someone had told me when I was desperately trying to check a car I was about to buy back in early 2024. I remember sitting in a parking lot in Deira, staring at this beautiful used Nissan Altima, and the seller was getting impatient while I frantically googled “how to check car details Dubai” on my phone lol. Spoiler alert: I almost bought that car without doing an RTA plate number search first. Would’ve been a HUGE mistake (the car had like 8,000 AED in unpaid fines). But I’m getting ahead of myself – let me tell you everything you actually need to know about using RTA plate number search to verify vehicles in Dubai.

Why You Actually Need RTA Plate Number Search (Trust Me On This)

When I first moved to Dubai in 2023, I had no clue that checking vehicle details was even possible. Back home, you just… trusted the seller? Or paid someone to do an inspection? But Dubai has this incredible system through RTA (Roads and Transport Authority) where you can literally search any plate number and get instant info about the vehicle. The RTA plate number search system is completely free, takes like 30 seconds, and has saved me (and my friends) from some seriously sketchy situations. Before I learned about RTA plate number search, I was basically buying cars blind. After? I became that annoying friend who checks everyone’s potential purchases lol. Here’s what happened that made me obsessed with RTA plate number search: My colleague Ahmed was selling his 2019 Honda Civic. Nice guy, good price, clean car. I was ready to hand over 45,000 AED cash. But something my Emirati friend Khalid said stuck with me – “did you do an RTA plate number search?” I hadn’t. So I did. Turns out the car had been in two accidents that Ahmed conveniently forgot to mention. Dodged a bullet there fr.

How to Actually Do RTA Plate Number Search (Step-by-Step)

Alright so the RTA plate number search process is actually super easy once you know where to look. I’m gonna walk you through it exactly like I wish someone had walked me through it.

Step 1: Get to the RTA Portal

First thing – you need to visit the official RTA website. Just google “RTA Dubai” or go directly to rta.ae. Don’t use random third-party sites claiming they can do RTA plate number search – stick with the official portal. I learned this the hard way when I accidentally gave my email to some sketchy site and got spam for weeks lmao. When you’re on the RTA homepage, look for the “Services” section. It’s usually at the top menu. From there, navigate to “Public Transport and Roads” or sometimes its under “Traffic” – tbh they reorganize the website sometimes so the exact path changes. But you’re looking for “Vehicle Inquiry” or “Check Vehicle Details.”

Step 2: Enter the Plate Information

Here’s where the actual RTA plate number search happens. You’ll see a form asking for: – Plate Code (the letter – like A, B, C, D, etc) – Plate Number (the actual numbers) – CAPTCHA verification (to prove ur not a bot) Pro tip I learned: make sure you enter the plate code correctly. I once spent 10 minutes trying to do an RTA plate number search on a car and kept getting “no results” because I thought the plate code was “D” when it was actually “O” (the letter O, not zero). Felt pretty dumb ngl.

Step 3: Submit and Review Results

Click submit and boom – within 5-10 seconds, the RTA plate number search results appear. This is where you’ll see all the vehicle information available through the system. The first time I did an RTA plate number search and saw all this data appear instantly, I was honestly impressed. Dubai’s systems are no joke.

What Information RTA Plate Number Search Actually Shows You

Ok so this is important because people think RTA plate number search shows EVERYTHING about a car. It doesn’t. Let me break down what you actually get from an RTA plate number search:

Vehicle Specifications You’ll See:

When you complete an RTA plate number search, the system displays basic vehicle info like make and model (Toyota, Honda, BMW, whatever), year of manufacture, vehicle type (sedan, SUV, truck), and body color (though tbh sometimes the color listed doesn’t match the actual car if its been repainted).

Registration and Legal Status:

The RTA plate number search shows registration status (is it currently registered?), registration expiry date (super important for buyers!), and whether the vehicle is legally allowed to be on the road. I once did an RTA plate number search on a car that showed as “deregistered” – the seller claimed it was a “small paperwork issue” lol. Yeah, no thanks.

Outstanding Fines (The Most Important Part):

This is why I’m obsessed with RTA plate number search. The system shows ALL unpaid traffic fines. Speeding tickets, parking violations, toll gate jumps (Salik), red light cameras – everything. The RTA plate number search will display the total amount owed and the number of fines. I can’t stress this enough – ALWAYS check fines before buying. That Altima I mentioned earlier? 8,000 AED in fines. The seller “forgot” about them. Right. An RTA plate number search saved me from inheriting that debt.

Insurance and Technical Inspection:

Your RTA plate number search results will show if the vehicle’s insurance is active and when it expires, plus technical inspection (Tasjeel) status and expiry date. In Dubai, cars need annual technical inspection, and if an RTA plate number search shows its expired, that’s a red flag.

What RTA Plate Number Search DOESN’T Show (Important!)

Here’s what confused me initially and what I see confusing everyone else: RTA plate number search has limitations due to UAE privacy laws. You CANNOT see owner’s personal information through RTA plate number search. No names, no phone numbers, no addresses, no Emirates ID numbers. This info is protected by privacy laws, and honestly, that’s good. You also can’t see accident history through a basic RTA plate number search. The system won’t tell you if the car’s been in crashes (unless it affected registration status). For accident history, you need to visit an RTA service center in person or use third-party inspection services. Service records and maintenance history? Not available through RTA plate number search. Previous owners? Nope. Original purchase price? Nada. The RTA plate number search system is specifically for verification of current legal and registration status, not comprehensive vehicle history. This is why I always combine RTA plate number search with a professional inspection before buying. The RTA plate number search tells you the legal side, the inspection tells you the mechanical side. Both are crucial fr.

Alternative Ways to Do RTA Plate Number Search

While the website is the main method, there are actually multiple ways to do an RTA plate number search:

RTA Dubai Mobile App:

I use this ALL the time now. Download the official “RTA Dubai” app (available on iOS and Android), create an account, and you can do RTA plate number search right from your phone. Super convenient when you’re physically looking at a car and want to do an RTA plate number search on the spot. The seller gets nervous when you pull out your phone mid-conversation, but honestly that’s their problem lol.

RTA Call Center (800-9090):

You can call RTA’s helpline and request an RTA plate number search over the phone. An operator will ask for the plate details and give you the information. Takes a bit longer than doing RTA plate number search online (maybe 2-3 minutes vs 30 seconds), but useful if you don’t have internet access or need help navigating the system.

RTA Customer Service Centers:

For more detailed information that basic RTA plate number search doesn’t provide, you can visit an RTA customer service center in person. They can give you official printouts and access records that aren’t available through standard RTA plate number search. This is where I went when I needed accident history for that Altima (yup, still obsessed with that dodged bullet).

Common RTA Plate Number Search Issues (And How I Fixed Them)

Issue #1: “Plate Not Found”

This happened to me like 3 times when I was new to RTA plate number search. Usually it means you entered the wrong code or number. Double-check everything. Sometimes what looks like “D” is actually “0” (zero), or “O” (letter) vs “0” (number). If the RTA plate number search still shows nothing, the plate might be from another emirate (Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, etc) – Dubai’s RTA plate number search only works for Dubai plates.

Issue #2: Information Doesn’t Match the Car

Did an RTA plate number search and the color or model doesn’t match what you’re seeing? Red flag. Either the car’s been heavily modified without updating registration, or worse – the plates might be fake/swapped. I’ve seen this twice, and both times I walked away. Trust the RTA plate number search results over what ur eyes tell you.

Issue #3: System Errors/Maintenance

Sometimes the RTA plate number search portal is down for maintenance (usually late at night). I once panicked at 2am trying to do an RTA plate number search before meeting a seller the next morning, and the site was down. Don’t freak out – just try again later or use the mobile app. The RTA plate number search system is reliable like 99% of the time.

My Personal RTA Plate Number Search Checklist (Copy This!)

Ok so after doing probably 30+ RTA plate number searches over the past year (I help friends buy cars now apparently), here’s my exact process:

Before Meeting the Seller:

Do an RTA plate number search as soon as you get the plate number. Don’t wait til you’re there. I check fines first (anything over 500 AED is negotiation time), registration expiry (less than 3 months = potential issues), and insurance status (must be active!).

During the Viewing:

I literally do another RTA plate number search right in front of the seller on my phone. Shows them I’m serious and informed. If they get defensive about you doing an RTA plate number search, that’s sus fr. Honest sellers don’t care because they know everything’s clean.

Red Flags from RTA Plate Number Search:

Multiple unpaid fines (means careless owner or they’re hiding costs), expired registration (why haven’t they renewed?), insurance expired (illegal to drive!), or technical inspection overdue (car might have issues). Any of these from an RTA plate number search = negotiate lower or walk away.

Pro Tips I Learned the Hard Way

Tip #1: Screenshot Everything

When you do an RTA plate number search, screenshot the results immediately. I’ve had sellers claim “those fines weren’t there yesterday” when I brought them up. Having proof from your RTA plate number search saves arguments.

Tip #2: Check Multiple Times

Do an RTA plate number search when you first see the ad, again before meeting, and once more right before payment. Fines can be added anytime, and I’ve seen new fines appear between initial RTA plate number search and final purchase.

Tip #3: Verify with Other Emirates

If a car seems too good to be true in Dubai, sometimes sellers bring cars from other emirates. Your RTA plate number search won’t show Abu Dhabi or Sharjah plates. Ask where the car’s registered and use the appropriate system for that emirate.

Tip #4: Don’t Trust Verbal Promises

“I’ll pay off the fines before transfer” – yeah right. Get it in writing or insist they clear fines before you do the RTA plate number search together for final verification. Trust but verify, and RTA plate number search is your verification tool.

Real Examples from My RTA Plate Number Search Adventures

Example 1: The “No Fines” Car with 12 Fines

Guy swore up and down his 2020 Camry was “totally clean, no issues.” Did an RTA plate number search right there – 12 parking fines totaling 2,400 AED. He acted shocked, like the RTA plate number search was lying lmao. I negotiated 2,500 AED off the price to cover the fines, which he accepted immediately (because he obviously knew about them). Always do your own RTA plate number search!

Example 2: The Expired Everything

Found a gorgeous 2018 Mercedes on Dubizzle. Price seemed fair. Did an RTA plate number search – registration expired 6 months ago, insurance expired, technical inspection expired. Everything expired. Seller claimed he “just hadn’t gotten around to renewing.” An RTA plate number search revealed this was basically an illegal car sitting in his garage. Hard pass.

Example 3: The Success Story

Not all RTA plate number search stories are horror stories! Found a 2021 Toyota Yaris, reasonable price, clean photos. Did an RTA plate number search – completely clean. Zero fines, registration valid for 8 more months, fresh technical inspection, active insurance. Met the seller, nice family guy who just wanted a bigger car. Did another RTA plate number search with him to double-check, still clean. Bought it, still driving it, love it. This is what RTA plate number search is supposed to show – legitimate, well-maintained vehicles.

Conclusion: Make RTA Plate Number Search Your Best Friend

Looking back at my car-buying journey in Dubai, learning about RTA plate number search was probably the most valuable thing I discovered. It’s free, it’s fast, it’s accurate, and it’s literally saved me thousands of dirhams and countless headaches. Whether your buying a car, selling a car, checking your own vehicle status, or even just being nosy about that fancy car you saw in your building’s parking garage (not that I’ve ever done that…), RTA plate number search is an incredibly powerful tool. The key is actually using it. Don’t skip the RTA plate number search because you’re excited about a good deal or you trust the seller or you’re in a hurry. Take 30 seconds. Do the RTA plate number search. Every. Single. Time. My advice? Before you even contact a seller, ask for the plate number and do an RTA plate number search. Saves you from wasting time on cars with issues. During the viewing, do another RTA plate number search. Before final payment, one more RTA plate number search. It’s not paranoia – it’s smart buying. And honestly, if a seller refuses to give you the plate number for an RTA plate number search, or gets defensive about you doing one, just walk away. Legitimate sellers have nothing to hide from an RTA plate number search. P.S. This info is from December 2025 but tbh things change in Dubai’s systems sometimes, so if ur reading this later and the RTA website looks different, the basic RTA plate number search process should still be the same! And remember – better to spend 30 seconds doing an RTA plate number search than spending months regretting a bad purchase lol. Stay safe out there!

🔗 Related Resources

• RTA Official Website
• RTA Dubai App (iOS & Android)
• Dubai Police Traffic Services
• UAE Pass Registration