Car Sale Power of Attorney in Dubai: Requirements, Documents and Notarisation
A Car Sale Power of Attorney in Dubai (also referred to as a vehicle sale POA or a vehicle power of attorney) allows a vehicle owner to authorise another person to sell the car, sign the relevant documents and handle specified procedures with Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). To issue this authority, the owner’s identity, the appointed agent’s details and the vehicle particulars are checked before a clearly drafted special power of attorney (POA) is authenticated through the appropriate notarial channel.
The Dubai Roads and Transport Authority expressly requires the legal representative’s POA to authorise the “sale and disposal of vehicles” when dealing with a change of vehicle ownership.
This guide explains when a vehicle sale POA is useful, what powers it should contain, which documents may be required, the notary fees applicable as of October 2026 and how a notarised POA differs from the actual vehicle ownership transfer. Instant PRO can help you review your documents and identify the appropriate notarisation route through its Notary Public Services in Dubai.
Need to authorise someone to sell your car in Dubai? Send us the vehicle type, the owner’s capacity and the intended powers. We can help identify the supporting documents, draft requirements and suitable notarisation procedure.
When Do You Need a Car Sale Power of Attorney in Dubai?
A car sale POA is useful when someone other than the registered owner needs to sign sale documents or represent the owner during the sale. The POA proves the representative’s authority; it does not itself register the vehicle in the buyer’s name.
Common situations include:
- The owner is travelling: The registered owner is outside Dubai or outside the UAE when the car is due to be sold. The available authentication or legalisation route must be checked against the owner’s location and documents.
- The owner cannot attend: A trusted person is authorised to deal with the transport authority and sign documents within the specified scope of the POA.
- A company-owned vehicle is being sold: A manager, employee or other representative may need to demonstrate the authority to dispose of a vehicle registered to a company.
- The owner wants to authorise the sale of one car only: The POA can identify the particular vehicle without granting unnecessary powers over other assets or vehicles.
If the owner attends in person and meets the RTA requirements, appointing an agent may be unnecessary. The subsequent RTA vehicle ownership transfer is a separate transaction from preparing and authenticating the POA.
Important when the seller is unavailable: The RTA’s individual vehicle ownership change service states that a sale and purchase agreement from an accredited showroom in Dubai is required when the seller is unavailable. It also specifies that a legal representative must hold a POA authorising the “sale and disposal of vehicles”. Therefore, a notarised POA does not automatically waive the showroom agreement or other requirements that apply to the chosen transfer procedure.
What Powers and Legal Conditions Should a Vehicle Sale POA Include?
A valid vehicle sale POA should identify an owner legally entitled to dispose of the car and state clearly what the agent is authorised to do. Federal Decree-Law No. 25 of 2025 Promulgating the UAE Civil Transactions Law addresses the definition, validity and scope of agency in Articles 866, 868 and 870–872, including the need for specific authority to carry out acts such as a sale.
A general clause authorising someone to “manage the vehicle” should not be assumed to grant the power to sell it. For the RTA transfer process, the POA must expressly encompass the sale and disposal of vehicles.
Articles 888–891 of the current Civil Transactions Law also regulate matters relevant to a sale by an agent. These include compliance with a sale price fixed by the principal, restrictions on an agent buying the property personally or selling it to certain related persons, the conditions for a deferred-price sale, and the rights and duties associated with collecting the purchase price. It is prudent to define any limits on price, buyer and payment instead of relying on a broad template.
Clauses to Check Before Signing a Car Sale POA
- Principal and agent details: Full names and identification information that match the supporting documents.
- Vehicle identification: The plate number, chassis number (VIN), make and other registration details to establish which car the authority covers.
- Sale and signing powers: Express authorisation to agree to the sale, sign the necessary documents and dispose of the specified vehicle.
- Ownership transfer procedures: The authority to represent the owner before the RTA and complete the relevant steps of the sale and transfer.
- Receipt of sale proceeds: An express arrangement regarding who receives the money and how it is paid, taking account of Article 891 concerning collection of the sale price.
- Sub-delegation and duration: Whether the agent may appoint someone else and any intended expiry date or limits. Article 879 governs an agent’s appointment of a substitute.
For example, the owner may wish to expressly exclude authority to receive payment and require the buyer to transfer the proceeds directly to the owner’s bank account. The owner may also prohibit sub-delegation. These choices should be clearly reflected in the instrument and reviewed against the applicable law and receiving authority’s requirements.
Documents Required for a Car Sale Power of Attorney in Dubai
Basic preparations normally include identification for the principal, the agent’s details and information identifying the vehicle. Additional evidence of signing authority is important where a company or another legal representative is involved. The definitive checklist depends on the applicant’s circumstances and the notarisation channel.
Documents for an Individual Vehicle Owner
- A valid Emirates ID or passport, as accepted by the chosen notarisation procedure.
- The appointed agent’s identifying particulars and any contact details needed to prepare the application.
- The vehicle registration card, ownership certificate or other official particulars showing the vehicle owner, plate number and chassis number.
- A draft POA, or clear written instructions defining the intended sale, disposal and transfer powers.
- Evidence of capacity or authority if the applicant is acting for the actual registered owner.
If the Vehicle Is Registered to a Company
The company may need to provide its valid trade licence, Memorandum of Association and latest amendments, together with a board or partners’ resolution or another instrument establishing the signatory’s authority. The RTA also lists company letters authorising vehicle transfer, the authorised person’s Emirates ID and, for some free-zone companies, a no-objection certificate from the free-zone authority. Requirements vary with the company’s legal form and licensing authority. The fact that someone is named as a manager on a trade licence does not automatically prove authority to sell a specific company asset.
Note: A driving licence is not a universal requirement for notarising a sale POA. Identity and signing authority are separate questions from whether a person meets licensing or driving requirements for another transaction.
How to Get a Power of Attorney to Sell a Car in Dubai: 6 Steps
Start by identifying the registered owner, the appointed agent and the vehicle, then draft explicit sale powers and submit the POA to the competent notarial authority for identity verification, signing and authentication. Once authenticated, the agent may use the instrument in the separate RTA ownership-transfer process, subject to the authority’s requirements.
1. Review the Vehicle’s Registration and Ownership
Confirm that the car is registered to the principal or that the principal otherwise has a lawful basis for the proposed transaction. Compare the chassis and plate numbers with the registration record, and check whether financing, restrictions or outstanding fines may delay the eventual ownership transfer.
2. Define the Agent’s Powers and Limits
Decide whether the agent may only sell and sign on behalf of the owner, or may also process the transfer application, pay relevant charges or receive the sale proceeds. Where appropriate, set any restrictions relating to price, buyer, duration or further delegation in wording that the receiving authority can accept.
3. Prepare the POA and Verify the Documents
Draft the instrument in the language and form accepted by the competent authority. Ensure the names, vehicle identifiers and powers are consistent across the POA and supporting documents. Certified legal translation or prior document legalisation may be necessary in some cases.
4. Submit the Notarisation Application
Apply through a suitable Dubai Courts notary channel or an authorised private notary, depending on the circumstances and eligibility criteria. Identity, legal capacity and authority to sign are checked as part of the notarial process.
5. Pay the Applicable Fees, Sign and Receive the POA
After the application and documents have been reviewed, complete payment, signing and authentication through the approved channel. Whether a remote process is available depends on the identification and signing requirements. Electronic notarisation of the POA does not mean that every subsequent RTA vehicle transfer can also be completed entirely online by an agent.
6. Present the POA When Selling the Vehicle
The agent presents the authenticated POA as evidence of authority when completing the RTA vehicle sale procedures. Any applicable requirements involving fines, insurance, inspection, mortgage release, the sale and purchase agreement or personal attendance must still be met. The RTA states that its electronic vehicle sale and purchase agreement is valid for 14 days. That period applies to the RTA agreement; it is not a general 14-day expiry period for the POA itself.
For further information about preparing the instrument, see Online Power of Attorney in the UAE. For the separate transport procedure, refer to the RTA’s ownership-transfer service.
Car Sale Power of Attorney Fees in Dubai in 2026
Under Dubai Executive Council Resolution No. 72 of 2025, the official government fee for attesting a general or special POA is AED 100 per signature on the POA. Separate fees for private notarial services are governed by Dubai Courts Director’s Decision No. 312 of 2025. Electronic data-entry fees, Knowledge and Innovation fees or other charges may also apply depending on the route and service. AED 100 should therefore not be presented as an all-inclusive quotation.
The following table distinguishes the main fee categories under the published Dubai regulations. The entries are not a list of amounts that must automatically be added together in every case. Vehicle ownership transfer, inspection and insurance fees, together with any separately agreed Instant PRO service charges, are outside the notarial cost.
| Fee item | Published amount or basis | Legal source |
|---|---|---|
| Government attestation of a general or special POA | AED 100 per signature on the POA | Dubai Executive Council Resolution No. 72 of 2025 |
| Electronic entry of parties’ details by a notary | AED 100 for recording the details of each party, where the listed service applies | Dubai Legislation Portal – Resolution 72/2025 |
| Private notary fee for attestation of a POA | AED 100 per signature, separately regulated as a private notary fee | Dubai Courts Director’s Decision No. 312 of 2025 |
| Private notary electronic registration of each party’s particulars | AED 100 per party for relevant services specified in the decision | Dubai Courts fee announcement – Decision 312/2025 |
Distinguish between the government attestation charge, the private notary’s regulated fees and any applicable electronic registration charges. The total depends on which procedures are actually performed. Request an itemised fee quotation before paying. Separate RTA transfer costs should be checked against the relevant RTA vehicle ownership change service.
Car Sale POA vs Vehicle Ownership Transfer in Dubai
A POA authorises an agent to act for the owner; a vehicle ownership transfer changes the registered owner of the car in the traffic records. Merely issuing a notarised POA does not transfer ownership to the buyer.
| Comparison | Car sale POA | Vehicle ownership transfer |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Authorises the agent to sell or dispose of the vehicle on behalf of the principal | Registers the car in the buyer’s name |
| Relevant authority | Notary public or competent authentication authority | Dubai Roads and Transport Authority |
| Result | Authenticated instrument proving the agent’s powers | Updated ownership record and applicable new registration documents |
| Costs | POA authentication and any applicable notarial or service fees | Transfer, registration, inspection and related charges where applicable |
The RTA specifies that a representative handling an ownership change must have the relevant sale and disposal authority. The transfer may also require attendance at a service centre, electronic mortgage release where relevant, and insurance and inspection requirements. Instant PRO also provides information about RTA Services in Dubai and Dubai Police Services, which cover separate vehicle and traffic-related procedures.
Special Cases and Mistakes That Can Delay a Car Sale POA
Common problems include unclear sale authority, incorrect vehicle identifiers, insufficient signing authority and restrictions that prevent the ownership transfer. These should be checked before the notarial application and before the agent attempts the sale.
The Owner Is Outside the UAE
If the principal is abroad, first establish whether an approved UAE remote notarisation channel can be used for that person’s circumstances and documentation. Where a POA is issued overseas, the RTA states that foreign-issued POAs must undergo the required Ministry of Foreign Affairs ratification. Other legalisation or translation steps may be necessary depending on the place of issue and the receiving authority. A scanned copy of an unauthenticated foreign POA should not be assumed sufficient.
The Car Is Financed or Has Outstanding Fines
The owner may be able to draft a POA for sale, but registering a transfer remains subject to the vehicle’s status. Outstanding traffic fines must be dealt with as required, and a mortgage or finance interest may need to be released electronically before ownership can be changed. A POA does not override the lender’s rights or remove financing restrictions.
The Agent Will Receive Payment or Appoint Another Agent
An unnecessarily broad POA can allow actions the owner did not intend. Article 891 addresses rights and responsibilities relating to receipt of the sale proceeds, while Article 879 regulates sub-delegation. The instrument can specify that payment is made directly to the owner or, where lawful and accepted, can expressly exclude receipt of the money by the agent. It can also prohibit the appointment of another representative. Restrictions should be carefully drafted and practically workable.
Illustrative Example
A person who owns a Dubai-registered car is living outside the emirate and asks a brother to handle its sale. The POA identifies the brother and the car and expressly authorises the sale, disposal and signing of the RTA documents, but does not permit the brother to collect the price. After authentication, the brother checks the RTA requirements and arranges for the buyer to transfer the payment directly to the owner. This is a hypothetical example, not an actual client transaction.
Frequently Asked Questions About Car Sale POAs in Dubai
Can I sell my car in Dubai using a POA without being there?
An authorised representative may handle a vehicle sale on your behalf if the POA properly includes the “sale and disposal of vehicles”. However, the RTA also requires a sale and purchase agreement from an accredited Dubai showroom when the seller is unavailable, together with any other conditions applying to that transfer route. The representative may need to attend a designated service centre. The POA itself does not transfer the car into the buyer’s name.
What documents are required for a car sale power of attorney in Dubai?
You will generally need identification for the registered owner, the agent’s details, the vehicle registration or ownership particulars and the proposed wording or instructions for the POA. If a company owns the vehicle, the trade licence, constitutional documents and proof of the person’s authority to sign may also be required. The precise identification and authentication rules depend on the chosen notarial channel and the applicant’s situation.
How much does a car sale power of attorney cost in Dubai?
Under the Dubai schedule amended in September 2025, the government fee for attesting a general or special power of attorney is AED 100 per signature. Other applicable charges may include electronic entry of party details and fees prescribed for an authorised private notary. Do not treat AED 100 as a complete all-inclusive price. RTA ownership transfer, vehicle inspection and insurance are separate transactions and expenses.
Can I get a car sale POA notarised online in Dubai?
Certain applications for a Vehicle Power of Attorney in Dubai may be submitted through Dubai Courts’ electronic or smart notary services, subject to the applicable identity-verification and signature rules. Not everyone and not every document will qualify for remote authentication. Attendance or further verification can be required depending on the person’s circumstances and the issuing documents. Confirm the available channel before paying, and do not assume that electronic notarisation also completes the RTA transfer remotely.
Can the agent receive the payment for selling my car?
Article 891 of the UAE Civil Transactions Law addresses the collection of a sale price by an agent and the rights of the principal. It would be inaccurate to assume either that a sale POA never carries payment-related powers or that the agent may always collect the money without conditions. To reduce disputes, state how payment is to be made and whether the agent may receive the funds or is expressly excluded from doing so, subject to the applicable legal rules.
Can a financed car be sold through a power of attorney?
A POA does not remove a registered mortgage or financing restriction. The vehicle’s ownership transfer may be blocked until the lender’s requirements have been met and the electronic mortgage release has been processed where necessary. The RTA lists mortgage release among the conditions relevant to vehicle ownership change. Check the financing status before arranging the notarial document or committing to a transfer date.
Can I cancel a car sale POA after it has been notarised?
As a general principle, the principal may revoke or restrict an agency, subject to the legal exceptions. Article 898 of the current Civil Transactions Law addresses circumstances in which another person has rights connected to the agency or it was granted in the agent’s interest. Follow the competent authority’s cancellation procedure and arrange notification where required. Revoking the POA does not automatically undo a sale that was validly completed. See Cancellation of Power of Attorney in the UAE.
Can an agent sell the vehicle to themselves or a relative?
Article 889 of the UAE Civil Transactions Law places restrictions on an agent buying the principal’s property or selling it to specified family members or persons whose connection may create a conflict of interest. The article also sets out circumstances in which an appropriate authorisation and sale-price conditions may permit the transaction. The wording of the POA and the identity of the intended buyer should therefore be checked before attempting a related-party sale.
Prepare a Vehicle Sale POA with the Right Authority and Documents
A Car Sale Power of Attorney in Dubai should clearly identify the principal, the appointed representative and the vehicle, with the authority needed to sell, dispose of and sign for the car before the RTA. Once the POA is authenticated, the separate ownership-transfer requirements must still be satisfied, including relevant fines, insurance, inspection and finance restrictions.
Instant PRO assists with reviewing POA information and documents and identifying a suitable notarisation route. You can send the vehicle type, the owner’s capacity and the intended authorisation via WhatsApp, or review our Notary Public Services in Dubai for related services.
Legal and source review: 10 October 2026.
Legal disclaimer: This article is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice for a particular case. Requirements and fees vary by transaction and must be confirmed with the competent authority before an application is submitted.
Official Sources
- Federal Decree-Law No. 25 of 2025 Promulgating the Civil Transactions Law – UAE Legislation Portal.
- Apply for Changing a Vehicle Ownership – Individuals – Dubai RTA.
- Apply for Changing a Vehicle Ownership – Companies – Dubai RTA.
- Executive Council Resolution No. 72 of 2025 — Notary Public Fees – Dubai Legislation Portal.
- Dubai Courts’ Announcement on Decision No. 312 of 2025 – Private Notary Fees – Government of Dubai Media Office.
- Smart Electronic Notary – Dubai Courts.
Firas Ahmad specializes in government transaction processing in the United Arab Emirates. He has practical experience in services for companies and business owners, as well as transactions involving government authorities. In his articles, Firas focuses on reviewing information based on available official procedures and sources, while simplifying practical requirements for individuals and businesses in the UAE.