Dubai: RTA makes vehicle inspection appointments mandatory from June 2

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has announced that starting June 2, booking an appointment will be mandatory for all vehicle inspections at technical testing centres across the emirate.

The new system is accessible via the ‘RTA Dubai’ mobile app and the RTA website.

For customers who prefer not to book in advance, an optional walk-in service will remain available at 19 centres, subject to an additional service fee of Dhs100.

Centres offering vehicle inspection services through appointments

However, eight centres will only offer inspection services through pre-booked appointments, with no walk-in option. These include Wasel Al Arabian Centre & Nad Al Hamar, Shamil Al Adid, Al Muhaisnah and Nad Al Hamar, Al Mumayaz Vehicle Testing Al Mizhar, and Tasjeel Al Tawar and Al Mankhool.

Introduction of vehicle inspection appointments follow pilot phase of project

The expansion follows the “tangible success” of a pilot phase launched in October 2024 at Tasjeel centres in Al Qusais and Al Barsha.

According to RTA, the trial was effective in saving customers time and effort.

The pilot revealed a 46 per cent drop in average waiting times at the two centres, and a 15 per cent reduction in occupancy rates of inspection transactions. Despite a 13 per cent decline in overall testing transactions, revenue levels remained stable. Of the users, 52 per cent opted for pre-booking, 26 per cent used the walk-in service, and the remaining 22 completed services not requiring prior appointments.

Qais Al Farsi, director of Vehicle Licensing at RTA’s Licensing Agency, said: “The outcomes of the pilot phase demonstrated a clear improvement and a positive shift in reducing congestion at inspection centres, particularly during peak hours, one of the most persistent challenges at these facilities.”

He added: “The wider rollout of the initiative across vehicle testing centres is expected to yield several key benefits, most notably saving customers time and effort, reducing waiting times by around 40 percent, and improving occupancy rates, particularly at centres where utilisation had previously exceeded 80 percent.”

Al Farsi noted that the booking system will be mandatory for all customer and vehicle categories, except for vehicles registered in Dubai and owned by People of Determination and seniors, both citizens and residents.
“These individuals are exempt from the booking requirement for vehicle inspection services, in line with RTA’s commitment to ensuring accessible and inclusive service delivery for these two key customer segments,” he said.