Want to travel outside the UAE by car? Get yourself a 'Trip Ticket'

Dubai: Planning to go on a cross-country road trip? If you were thinking of taking your car for a long drive, you don’t need to be limited to staying within the country, or even the continent. Travel enthusiasts have driven from the UAE all the way to Switzerland on their Dubai number plates.

Regardless of where you wish to travel by road, it is important that you get your car a passport, just like you have yours. Called a ‘trip ticket’ or ‘Carnet de Passage en Douane’ (CPD), it is an international customs document which covers the temporary admission of motor vehicles in countries where required. According to the UAE’s Ministry of Interior (MOI), the UAE is the first country in the world to offer the service through smart platforms.

What is a trip ticket or CPD?

CPD is an international customs document covering the temporary entry of vehicles into a country. It is accepted as a customs declaration document, and provides a guarantee that the vehicle accompanying it is covered by an internationally valid guarantee according to the United Nations Customs Agreements of 1954 and 1956, which was established to facilitate travel procedures for travellers and tourists by land.

It is also the internationally recognised guarantee of the payment of any customs duties and import taxes chargeable if the vehicle is not re-exported or if any other problem arises.

The document, which is usually valid for one year and renewable for another year, can be used in over 60 countries, which are signatories of the UN Customs Agreements.

Documents required

• Driver's licence

• Vehicle registration card

• Emirates ID

• Copy of UAE residence visa

Cost

The cost of a CPD is based on the customs fees at the country of destination:

GCC countries and Jordan: Dh400

Syria and Iraq: Dh450

Lebanon, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Tunis, Algeria and Yemen: Dh600

Sudan and European countries: Dh700

India, Iran, Pakistan, Bangladesh and South Africa: Dh1,150

All fees are without VAT, which will be added.

You would also need to deposit a guarantee amount, which is fully refundable. It is returned when the CPD ticket is handed over to one of the Automobile and Touring Club offices. The deposit amount depends on the car type, model and country of destination.

The CPD is issued based on the country of destination, so all countries from the UAE to the country of destination will be accessible through the Trip Ticket. Also, all the countries not allowed to enter will be clearly mentioned in the CPD.

It is issued for one year and can be renewed for another year.

How to apply for a CPD

You can apply for a CPD at any of the following ATC UAE offices:

Dubai - Al Mamzar

Tel: 04 2961122

Al Ain - Traffic complex - vehicle and driving license department

Abu Dhabi – Yas Marina Circuit

Sharjah Licensing department

You can also apply online and the trip ticket will be delivered to your office or home

1. Download the MOI UAE smartphone app or visit moi.gov.ae

2. Select the ‘trip tickets’ service

3. Enter the details of your trip and the vehicle that you will be driving

4. Make the service payment as well as the security deposit (which is refunded on return)

Once you have made the payment, you will receive a verification request from the Automobile and Touring Club, to confirm all the details.

The CPD will then be printed and delivered to you at the specified address.