Abu Dhabi: Abu Dhabi Police have started issuing new permanent vehicle registration cards from this month, a statement said on Sunday.

Now motorists do not need to visit vehicle licensing department’s offices for renewals each year but an SMS will alert them of their licence’s expiry and they can renew it online or Ministry of Interior’s kiosk.

Until last month, all motorists had to visit licensing department for the replacement of their old cards with new ones but now one permanent card will be renewed each year.

Brigadier General Ibrahim Naser Al Shamsi, director of vehicle licensing department, said, the new service of permanent vehicle licence card started from this month. The step is provide better and smart service to the people.

The new permanent cards are without an expiry date and insurance details, while the expiry date will only be available on the traffic and licensing system to be used for renewal which requires car technical testing and insurance.

Whereas the new vehicles wouldn’t be required for technical testing for three years. They can renew their licences online, the police said.

However, the police vehicle licensing department will send an SMS to vehicles owners to remind them of getting their registration cards renewed a month before the expiry date. Accordingly, they will be able to get the service without having to change their registration card. They can also enquire about the card’s expiration via Abu Dhabi police smart applications or website of the ministry.

Those who require a certificate, ‘to whom it may concern’ while travelling to other GCC or foreign countries, can get from the department.