Dubai: Classic vehicles older than 30 years can now be licensed in Dubai after rigorous safety tests to ensure their road-worthiness, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) announced on Sunday.
The Licensing Agency at the RTA has launched the new service of licensing of classic vehicles in association with the Automobile and Touring Club (ATC). For the first time, an auction of distinguished number plates of classic vehicles will also be held on Thursday.
“Licensing classic vehicles after testing will allow RTA to enhance road safety, in addition to streamlining the regulations for these vehicles,” Ahmad Hashim Behroozian, CEO of the RTA’s Licensing Agency, said.
“The vehicles will undergo technical testing and will be classified into six different categories based on the results,” he said. “For example, some cars may not have any light or the light may not be good enough, in such cases they will be put in the category of cars which can only be driven during the day.”
In cases where the top speed of cars is in the range of 60–80 km/hr, their owners will be prohibited from driving them on the highways, Behroozian explained. Safety belts, type of fuel and brakes are some of the other aspects that will be taken into account when issuing licences.
“Many classic car owners have been complaining about how their cars lie idle in the garages. The new service will give them an opportunity to bring them back on the roads,” Mohammad Bin Sulayem, President of the ATC, said.
“We are looking forward to some of these classic vehicles plying our roads after passing stringent tests before granting them licence and certificates from the International Federation of Classic Vehicles,” he said.
The RTA and ATC inked an agreement to formalise their cooperation. The ATC was chosen since it is the formal organisation in the UAE representing the global entity International Federation of Classic Vehicles. The support from the skilled technical staff and professional team of ATC is vital to carrying out specialised testing methods required for classic vehicles, Behroozian said.
The testing centre for classic cars is located in Al Qusais Industrial Area 3. The technical testing costs Dh420 and the registration costs Dh430 for classic cars.
