RTA Expands Vehicle Inspection Appointment Booking Service To All Testing Centres In Dubai

The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) in Dubai has introduced a mandatory Vehicle Inspection Appointment Booking service through the 'RTA Dubai' app and their website, effective from 2nd June 2025. This requirement applies to all vehicle inspections at technical testing centres throughout the emirate. An optional walk-in service will be available at 19 centres for those without appointments, with an additional fee of AED100.

During a pilot phase initiated last October at Tasjeel centres in Al Qusais and Al Barsha, the RTA observed significant improvements in customer experience. The trial led to a 46% reduction in average waiting times and a 15% decrease in physical inspection transaction occupancy rates compared to total capacity. Despite a 13% drop in vehicle testing transactions, revenue levels remained stable.

The RTA's decision to expand this service stems from the pilot's success, aiming to improve service quality and customer satisfaction by reducing wait times. The initiative reflects RTA’s dedication to providing seamless access to premium services across various channels, benefiting a wide range of customers.

Qais Al Farsi, Director of Vehicle Licensing at RTA’s Licensing Agency, stated, "The outcomes of the pilot phase demonstrated a clear improvement and a positive shift in reducing congestion at inspection centres, particularly during peak hours, one of the most persistent challenges at these facilities."

The appointment system is mandatory for all customers except vehicles registered in Dubai owned by People of Determination and seniors. These groups are exempt from booking requirements as part of RTA’s commitment to accessible services for key customer segments. The wider rollout aims to save time and effort for customers while improving occupancy rates.

Al Farsi added that expanding the initiative across more centres is expected to yield benefits like reduced waiting times by around 40% and improved occupancy rates. This is especially important at centres where utilisation had previously exceeded 80%.

Service Expansion

The pre-booking service is available at eight additional centres without walk-in options: Wasel Al Arabian Centre & Nad Al Hamar, Shamil Al Adid, Al Muhaisnah and Nad Al Hamar, Al Mumayaz Vehicle Testing Al Mizhar, and Tasjeel Al Tawar and Al Mankhool. This expansion follows the tangible success seen during the pilot phase.

During the pilot phase, 52% of customers opted for pre-booking appointments while 26% used the optional walk-in service. The remaining 22% were for other services not requiring prior appointments. This data highlights customer preferences for streamlined processes.

The RTA's initiative aims to enhance efficiency at vehicle testing centres across Dubai. By mandating appointment bookings while offering flexible options like walk-ins with fees, they strive to balance convenience with operational effectiveness.

With inputs from WAM