Vehicle Power of Attorney in UAE – Sell, Register or Export Your Car Hassle-Free

What is a Vehicle Power of Attorney? 💼

A Vehicle Power of Attorney is a special legal document. It grants a chosen representative the authority to act on your behalf for matters related to your car. This authority is specific and limited to vehicle-related actions. The appointed person, known as the agent or attorney-in-fact, can handle tasks you cannot or prefer not to do yourself. Importantly, creating a POA does not transfer ownership. It only delegates the legal capacity to perform certain acts. For a broader understanding of delegating authority, you can read our guide on the fundamentals of Power of Attorney in the UAE.

Vesta Solutions can expertly draft a precise Vehicle POA tailored to your specific needs, ensuring all required powers are clearly enumerated and legally sound, preventing future disputes or rejection by authorities.

Why You Might Need a Vehicle POA in the UAE

Life in the UAE is dynamic. Several common scenarios make a Vehicle POA not just convenient but essential. Firstly, expatriates relocating abroad often need to sell their car quickly before departure. A POA allows a trusted friend or agent to finalize the sale after you leave. Secondly, busy professionals may lack the time for lengthy government procedures like export paperwork. Delegating this through a POA is efficient.

Furthermore, owners residing in a different emirate from where the car is registered face logistical challenges. An agent based in the registration emirate can act locally. Finally, individuals with health or travel restrictions can ensure their vehicle affairs are managed without delay. A POA provides peace of mind and continuity.

Real-World Scenario: The Last-Minute Relocation

Consider Ria, a marketing executive in Dubai who received an urgent overseas job offer. Her departure was in two weeks. She needed to sell her car, settle traffic fines, and cancel registration. Using a notarized Vehicle POA, she authorized her colleague to handle everything. The colleague managed the sale, paid fines via the RTA app, and transferred ownership, all within ten days. Ria left stress-free, with funds transferred to her account.

Our team can assess your situation and advise if a Vehicle POA is your best solution, or if a different type of authorization, such as a Special Power of Attorney, might be more appropriate for other assets or business matters.

Types of Vehicle POA: Special vs. General

Choosing the right type of POA is critical. For vehicle transactions, a Special (Limited) Power of Attorney is almost always recommended. It restricts the agent’s powers to the explicitly listed vehicle-related tasks. This specificity protects you, the principal. In contrast, a General Power of Attorney grants very broad authority over your assets and legal affairs, which is unnecessary and risky for simply selling a car.

For detailed drafting, our comprehensive legal services ensure your Special Vehicle POA is ironclad and fully compliant with the latest UAE regulations.

Step-by-Step: How to Get a Vehicle POA in Dubai & UAE (2026)

The process is standardized but requires attention to detail. Follow these steps to ensure your POA is valid and accepted.

Step 1: Draft the Power of Attorney Document

Begin by drafting the document. It must include specific details: your full name and passport number, the agent’s full name and passport number, the vehicle’s exact details (make, model, year, chassis number, plate number), and a precise list of granted powers. Clearly state the POA’s validity period. Using a legal professional ensures no crucial clauses are missing.

Step 2: Notarization at a UAE Notary Public

The drafted POA must be notarized. Both you (the principal) and your agent must be physically present at the notary public with original passports and Emirates IDs. Some notaries may require copies of the vehicle registration card (mulkiya). The notary will verify identities, witness the signing, and stamp the document. This step gives the POA its legal standing. The notarization fee typically ranges from AED 500 to AED 1,500, depending on the emirate and notary office.

Step 3: Attestation & Translation (If Required)

If the agent will use the POA outside the emirate of issuance or for export purposes, further attestation may be needed. For inter-emirate use, attestation by the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) might be required. If the vehicle is being exported, the POA may need attestation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) and the embassy of the destination country. If the POA is in Arabic (the official language), a certified translation is needed for non-Arabic speaking countries. Our complete guide to notary services covers these subsequent attestation steps in depth.

Vesta Solutions can streamline the entire process, from professional drafting and notary coordination to managing MOJ/MOF attestation, saving you hours of research and multiple government visits.

Using the POA: How Your Agent Sells or Exports Your Car

Once notarized, your agent can act. For selling a car locally, the agent will coordinate with the buyer, sign the sales contract, and visit the relevant traffic department (e.g., RTA in Dubai). They will submit the notarized POA, their own ID, the mulkiya, and a copy of your ID. They pay any pending fines, process the ownership transfer, and collect the payment. For exporting, the agent will handle export plates, customs clearance, and obtain the vehicle export certificate.

Case Study: The Smooth Export to Oman

Ahmed, a contractor in Abu Dhabi, was on a long-term project in Saudi Arabia. He needed to export his SUV to Oman for personal use there. He executed a Vehicle POA authorizing his brother. His brother, using the POA, obtained the export certificate from the Abu Dhabi Police, cleared the vehicle through UAE customs, and managed the Omani import procedures. The entire process was completed in 7 working days, with Ahmed only needed for the initial POA signing via a pre-arranged video link at the notary. This highlights how a POA can facilitate complex cross-border transactions.

Costs, Timelines, and Validity

Understanding the practical aspects helps in planning. Costs are not fixed and can vary.

Timelines are generally swift if documents are in order. Drafting and notarization can be done within 1-2 days.

We provide transparent, upfront costing for your Vehicle POA package, avoiding hidden fees and ensuring you know the timeline from start to finish.

Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

Mistakes can render a POA useless. A common error is using vague language like “handle all matters.” Instead, list actions explicitly: “sell, transfer registration, and collect proceeds.” Another pitfall is not verifying the agent’s trustworthiness, as they will have access to your asset. Ensure the vehicle details match the mulkiya exactly to avoid rejection at the traffic department. Finally, using an outdated template that doesn’t comply with 2026 notary requirements causes delays. Always use a current, professionally drafted template.