Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has announced that certain motorists will not need to book vehicle inspections in advance, offering greater flexibility while maintaining its appointment-based testing system across the emirate.

The move applies to five specific customer groups and service categories, allowing eligible motorists to access vehicle inspection services without securing a prior appointment at approved testing centres.

Who is exempt?

According to the RTA, the following categories are exempt from advance booking requirements:

• Senior citizens and People of Determination
• Vehicles undergoing a repeat inspection after failing a previous technical test
• Vehicles being inspected for export or transfer purposes without registration plates
• Inspections linked to vehicle sale transactions
• Vehicle data verification and confirmation inspections

The authority said the exemptions are intended to make services more accessible while ensuring smoother operations at testing facilities across Dubai.

Appointment system remains in place

The RTA continues to encourage customers to book inspections in advance to help reduce waiting times, improve service efficiency and manage customer flow across vehicle testing centres.

Motorists who do not qualify for an exemption can still access inspection services without a booking by paying an additional service fee.

The authority added that its Licensing Agency, together with approved testing centres, will continue to guide booking procedures and eligible services to improve customer awareness and transparency.

Expansion of vehicle testing services

The announcement comes as Dubai expands its vehicle testing and registration network to meet growing demand driven by population growth and urban development.

Earlier, the RTA invited investors and operators to establish new vehicle testing and registration centres in Deira, Bur Dubai and Mohammed Bin Rashid City, subject to regulatory approvals.

The expansion is expected to increase testing capacity and improve accessibility for residents.

Sunday testing option

To further enhance convenience, the RTA recently introduced Sunday vehicle inspection services at nine testing centres across Dubai. The initiative aims to provide additional scheduling options for motorists and ease pressure on facilities during the working week.

Dubai’s Road and Transport Authority (RTA) has announced free public parking and a revised public transport schedule for the Hijri New Year 1448 holiday on Monday June 15.

Public parking across Dubai, except for multi-storey parking facilities will be free with parking fees will resume on Tuesday June 16.

All RTA Customer Happiness Centres will be closed on Monday, but customers will still be able to access services through the Customer Happiness Centre in Umm Ramool and Smart Kiosks located in Deira, Al Barsha, Al Tawar, Al Kifaf and the RTA Headquarters.

Dubai Metro services on both the Red and Green Lines will run from 5am until midnight on Monday while Dubai Tram services will operate from 6am until 1am the following day.

Passengers using public buses are advised to check the S’hail app for updated holiday schedules.

The RTA also announced that Bus Route E100, which normally operates between Al Ghubaiba Bus Station and Abu Dhabi, will be suspended from June 13 to 15. Passengers heading to Abu Dhabi during this period can use Route E101 from Ibn Battuta Bus Station instead.

Marine transport services will be unaffected during this period.

The Indian Embassy in the UAE has announced that Alhind Tours and Travels LLC will become the sole outsourced service provider for passport, visa, and consular applications across the country starting July 1.

In a statement shared on its official social media channels, the Embassy said detailed information on procedures and working hours will be released in due course through official platforms. The transition will impact consular services for over 3.5 million Indian expatriates in the UAE.

Current service providers, BLS International Services Ltd. and SGIVS Global, will continue operations until June 30, with applicants advised to complete pending submissions before the changeover.

Under the new arrangement, the largest service centre is expected to be located in Bur Dubai, spanning approximately 12,000 square feet with over 45 service counters. Alhind has also indicated plans to streamline operations through an expanded workforce of more than 400 staff, alongside an all-inclusive service fee of Dh19, excluding mandatory government charges.

The Embassy and Consulate have urged applicants to depend only on official sources for updates, cautioning against misinformation, and reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring a smooth transition of services.

The decision follows a tender issued in November 2025 for outsourcing a range of consular services at the Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate General of India in Dubai. Four companies—Alhind, DU Digital Global Ltd, SGIVS Global LLC, and VFS Global—were shortlisted, with Alhind emerging as the lowest bidder.

Founded in Kerala in 1992, Alhind Tours & Travels Pvt Ltd is part of the wider Alhind Group, which operates across IT services, luxury rentals, and foreign exchange. The company expanded its presence to the UAE and other Middle Eastern markets in 1995.