One-stop shop for drivers in Dubai

DUBAI // Motorists will be able to renew their vehicle registration and pay fines at insurance companies from next week, saving a trip to the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). Five insurance companies have been given approval to provide a one-stop service by processing vehicle registration renewals, including penalty payments, as well as renewing insurance.
The five approved companies are Royal and Sun Alliance Insurance (RSA), Fujairah Insurance, Oman Insurance, AXA Insurance and Noor Takaful Insurance. "Our hope is this will be a one-stop service," said Ahmed Bahrozyan, the licensing agency's chief executive. "If a person goes to the authorised insurer he can also pay any fines due. The approved agent will also provide the person with a temporary licence to allow him to drive his vehicle immediately."
The vehicle's registration card will then be delivered by courier to the motorist, he said. The five insurers were chosen from more than 30 companies in the Emirates who were evaluated to assess their coverage in Dubai. No extra charges will be levied by the insurers for the scheme, which is intended to improve convenience for owners of the more than a million vehicles registered in Dubai. It will cover all registration and renewals, although vehicles more than three years old will still require to be tested.
"This will mean faster, better services for Dubai motorists," said Karl Gray, a director with RSA. As part of a Ramadan promotion, customers buying vehicle insurance from RSA would have their car registration renewal fee waived, he said. The fee varies from Dh320 to Dh380.
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