Renewing Your Car Registration in Sharjah

Sharjah-registered cars are licensed through the federal traffic system, together with Sharjah Police and their service partners. Since early 2025, many owners have also been able to complete the inspection remotely. Here's how renewal works.

The basic rules

The Ministry of Interior's public FAQ lists what's needed to renew a vehicle registration in the federal system:

• vehicle insurance

• a technical inspection if the vehicle is more than three years old

• the vehicle ownership (registration) card

Clear any traffic fines before you start, because unpaid fines can stop the renewal.

Option 1: remote inspection through the Rafid app

On 8 January 2025, the Emirates News Agency (WAM) reported that Sharjah Police, in partnership with Rafid Automotive Solutions, launched a remote vehicle renewal and inspection service through a smart app.

According to WAM, the service is for:

• private vehicles with Sharjah plates

• vehicles less than eight years old

• vehicles whose last technical inspection was within the past 18 months

Users open the "Remote Inspection" feature in the Rafid app, complete a series of steps and upload clear photos of the vehicle, confirming it's free from accident damage. This removes the need to visit a traditional inspection centre.

If your car doesn't qualify, for example because it's older or has accident damage, you'll need a physical test.

Option 2: a physical test at an inspection centre

ADNOC Distribution's Sharjah vehicle inspection leaflet lists these fees:

• Renewal inspection: 150

• Renewal re-inspection: 50

• Registration inspection: 150

• Registration re-inspection: 50

• Export inspection: 100

The leaflet also asks drivers to bring a clean vehicle so the tests can be done accurately and don't need repeating. You'll receive your result by SMS.

Step by step

1. Pay any outstanding fines.

2. Renew or confirm your insurance.

3. Get the inspection done, either remotely through Rafid if you're eligible or at an inspection centre.

4. Renew through the Ministry of Interior's channels (website or app) or at a service centre, and pay the renewal fee.

5. Receive your renewed registration.

Preparing for the test

The test focuses on whether the car is safe and roadworthy. Before you book:

• Tyres. Sharjah Police's traffic department lists overloading, incorrect pressure, excessive speed and contact with hot asphalt among the main causes of tyre bursts, as reported by Khaleej Times. Ministry of Interior records reported by Khaleej Times show 2,093 unfit-tyre violations in Sharjah in 2023.

• Bodywork. Accident damage can make you ineligible for remote inspection. Get it fixed at a car body repair workshop in Sharjah.

• General condition. A service before your test can catch problems with lights, brakes and leaks. See car servicing in Sharjah.

• AC. Not a test item, but worth checking before summer. See car AC repair in Sharjah.

If you have an accident in Sharjah

The National reports that Sharjah motorists can register minor accidents through the Rafid app by giving the location, vehicle details and photos of the damage, for a fee of Dh400. A damage report against an unknown party costs Dh335.

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Sources: Emirates News Agency (WAM), 8 January 2025; Ministry of Interior FAQ; ADNOC Distribution Sharjah vehicle inspection leaflet; Khaleej Times; The National.