Documents required for car registration and renewal in the UAE

• Previous registration card (if renewing). Mulkiya (Mulkiyah, Mulkiah) is Arabic for the vehicle registration card? Don't panic if it's out of date, even by a few years. The fine (as of end 2010) is relatively low.
• Insurance documents for vehicle, valid for 13 months (this is the standard period when insurance is issued). Usually you will need to register car within a week of obtaining insurance renewal. If it's delated by much more than this, you'll be sent back to extend insurance period.
• Results of vehicle inspection and test (need to be a pass, if fail, then go away and fix your car first). Testing is usually done at the same place as registration.
• Bank clearance certificate if your car was bought with a loan from a bank in the UAE (car loan that is, not personal loan), and you have finished making loan payments.
• Money - allow about 700 dhs for testing, registration fees, new number plates (will be needed if format has changed).
• More money for fines, but if you're lucky, nothing. Most drivers in Dubai probably cop a few hundred dirhams worth during the year. Bring a couple of thousand dirhams just in case, or do an online traffic fine check first.
• Bring passport and UAE driving licence, and copies (including residence visa page). You probably won't need them for renewal but it's much less hassle to bring them than to have to go back and get them. You probably will need them for first time registration, or if transfering ownership.