If purchasing a used car from anywhere other than a dealer, it is likely that the purchaser will have to get the vehicle’s registration changed over to their name. A vehicle will not normally be re-registered, but will continue on its existing three-year registration period, and only a change of name is required on the paperwork. The expiry date is on the bottom left-hand corner of the Istemara card (in Arabic). However, the dates will be given in the Islamic calendar, which is about 10 days shorter than the Gregorian one.
Care should be taken not to miss the dates of expiration, as this can involve a large fine or other penalty. To renew the Istemara,( the registration card) the car must first be submitted for the motor vehicle periodic inspection (MVPI). This involves car assessment and several tests and checks including a vehicle’s lights, brakes, wheel alignment, tires, bodywork, mirrors, wind screen and exhaust emissions. Before having a car officially tested, it is advised to have it serviced and cleaned.
Cars that are more than five years old often fail at the first attempt, and a list of work that needs to be done is issued. If a vehicle does not pass the test, it should be taken to a garage or back to the dealer in question to have any problems fixed, and then sent for another test. Every time the test is taken, the owner has to pay a fee. There will always be garages located near to MVPI test centers. What a motor vehicle periodic inspector checks and the items that must be in a car? The details are as follows. There are few documents that are needed at the time of registration. The documents that are required are the following that you need to be submitted to the local office of the traffic police:
- A green folder to hold all the required documents.
- A copy of a completed application form.
- Copy of the current Istemara (vehicle registration card).
- Proof of ownership of the car.
- Copy of the car insurance policy.
- Valid motor vehicle periodic inspection certificate.
- Receipt for payment of the relevant fees at an ATM.
- Copy of the owner’s Iqama (Residence Permit).
- Letter of introduction from the sponsor which is usually provided by the employer.
- Copy of a valid driving license.
