Dubai Police has announced that vehicle owners wishing to change the colour of their vehicles must obtain an official colour change permit before visiting an authorised vehicle painting or modification centre. The permit costs AED 120, and applications take one working day to process.

What is a vehicle colour change permit?

A vehicle colour change permit is an official document that serves as approval and a no-objection certificate from the relevant authorities. The permit must be obtained before any colour change work begins at an authorised centre.

After the colour change, the owner must update the vehicle ownership card, or Mulkiya, with the new colour. Updating this information is important to maintain valid insurance coverage and pass the annual technical inspection conducted by Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).

Documents required to obtain the permit

According to information published on the Dubai Police website, the vehicle must be registered in Dubai. The required documents are:

- Emirates ID
- Vehicle ownership or registration card (Mulkiya)
- Proof of ownership or customs documents for vehicles without number plates or official registration

Method One: Obtain the permit through the Dubai Police app

Applicants can submit their request by following these steps:

1. Download the Dubai Police app from Google Play or the App Store and sign in using UAE PASS.

2. Go to “Services”, select “Traffic Services”, and then choose “Change Vehicle Colour Permit”.

3. Enter the vehicle details, including the plate number, plate category and vehicle code.

4. Specify the vehicle’s current colour and the desired new colour.

5. Upload clear photographs of all four sides of the vehicle, along with the required documents.

6. Submit the application and pay the AED 120 fee.

Once the application is approved, the digital permit will be sent within one working day to the applicant’s registered email address.

Method Two: Obtain the permit through the DubaiNow app

The permit can also be obtained through the DubaiNow app:

1. Install the DubaiNow app and sign in using UAE PASS.

2. Go to “Services” and search for “Change Vehicle Colour Permit”.

3. Enter the vehicle details in the application form.

4. Select the vehicle’s current colour and the desired new colour.

5. Upload photographs of the vehicle from different angles, along with identification and ownership documents.

6. Review the information and submit the application.

Applications submitted through this method also take one working day to process, and the permit will be sent by email once approved.

The permit fee is AED 120 through either method. Vehicle owners should note that obtaining the permit is only the first step in the colour change process. Once the work is completed, the new colour must also be recorded in the vehicle’s official documents.