Dubai RTA: 43% rise in vehicle registrations in 2024, more rental companies, EV fleets

Dubai: The number of newly registered commercial vehicles surged by 43 per cent last year compared to 2023, while the number of registered vehicle rental companies grew by 33 per cent, reported Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).

According to RTA’s Licensing Agency, 867 new rental companies were registered in 2024, bringing the total number of active companies in the sector to 3,494, up from 2,627 in 2023. The total number of vehicles in the rental fleet reached 71,040 by the end of 2024, compared to 49,725 in 2023.

The sector also witnessed strong growth in high-end vehicle rentals, which rose by 73 per cent, while electric vehicles within the rental fleet saw a 50 per cent increase.

“The increase in the number of newly registered vehicles and companies operating in the commercial transport sector demonstrates Dubai’s competitiveness and appeal in attracting businesses to this sector,” said Ahmed Mahboob, CEO of the Licensing Agency, RTA.

He noted that RTA remains dedicated to continuous improvement and service excellence by providing innovative solutions that address private sector needs. This includes aligning service delivery with sector-specific requirements to enhance customer satisfaction and strengthen trust in Dubai’s business and investment environment.

Key initiatives

He highlighted several RTA initiatives have notably reinforced support for the commercial transport sector, including the ‘Commercial Vehicle Life Extension Service’, allowing operators to extend the operational life of vehicles pending inspection clearance, and the ‘Hourly Commercial Vehicle Rental Service’, which enables both individuals and companies to rent commercial transport vehicles on an hourly basis.

The RTA has introduced the “Commercial Licensing System (CLS)” to simplify the application process for both new investors and existing service providers, improving governance and accelerating approvals. Other initiatives include extending the “Operational Lifespan of Electric Vehicles” from four to six years, introducing two new categories for luxury and premium vehicles in line with global classification standards, and increasing their operational lifespan to 10 years.