Driving without a plate or with a damaged one can fetch you hefty fines of up to Dh3,000, and a whopping 23 black points on your licence

Want your lucky numbers as your number plate? Or maybe a combination that is memorable and easier to remember.

In Dubai, motorists are allowed to get licensed number plates only, as per the Roads and Transport Authority. Those looking to change their number plates can do it easily through the RTA. This service can also be helpful for those who have lost their old plates.

Driving without a plate or with a damaged one can fetch you hefty fines of up to Dh3,000, and a whopping 23 black points on your licence.

From eligibility to documents required, here's how to change a vehicle number plate in Dubai.

Are you eligible?
The following people are eligible to apply for the vehicle plate number change:

UAE citizens
UAE residents
GCC nationals
Companies
Diplomatic bodies
Governmental entities
Documents required
The required documents for the process differ depending on the category of applicants.

Original Emirates ID ( Those working in local and federal government entities or semi-governmental entities have to provide original Emirates ID of the authorised person.)
Letter from company (This is only required from commercial and free zone companies. Those working in local and federal government or semi-governmental entities have to provide a letter from the organisation.)
Letter from Dubai Police (This is only required in case the applicant has lost their number plate.)
Service fees
Short plate - Dh35
Long plate - Dh50
Short classical plate - Dh150
Long classical plate - Dh150
Motorcycle short plate - Dh25
Luxury plate - Dh500
Expo branded plate - Dh100
Dubai branded plate - Dh200
Vehicle registration card - Dh50
How to apply
There are multiple RTA channels that residents can apply through. Through online channels, the results are produced instantly, whereas through in-person channels it takes around eight minutes.

RTA website (Applicants must go to the 'Change Vehicle Plate Number' from the 'Vehicle Licensing Services' section to access this service.)
Customer Happiness Centres (These are located in Umm Ramool, Al Manarah, Al Twar, Deira, and Al Barsha)
Vehicle registration and inspection centres
At the end of the process, applicants will get a vehicle ownership certificate and two vehicle plate numbers.

Thing to know
It is crucial for the customer or legal representative to be present in person.

Before applying for the service, the applicant must settle all traffic fines.

The customer must hand over the old vehicle plates before receiving the new one.

Customers can change their plate numbers even if the residence visa or the Emirates ID was issued in another emirate as long as it is valid.