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Data from RoadSafetyUAE indicates that many local motorists believe there to be less dangerous behaviour on the country's roads

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ITC calls on vehicle owners to complete necessary procedures for long-term parked vehicles in M-18 Musaffah truck parking area
ITC calls on vehicle owners to complete necessary procedures for long-term parked vehicles in M-18 Musaffah truck parking area

Zawya

time16 hours ago

  • Zawya

ITC calls on vehicle owners to complete necessary procedures for long-term parked vehicles in M-18 Musaffah truck parking area

Abu Dhabi – As part of its ongoing efforts to regulate the use of truck yards and public parking facilities and enhance their operational efficiency across the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, the Integrated Transport Centre (ITC), affiliated with the Department of Municipalities and Transport, has called on vehicle owners whose vehicles have been parked for more than six months in Musaffah's designated truck yard (M-18) to visit the on-site parking management office to complete the necessary procedures, including updating vehicle records and settling outstanding fees. The ITC confirmed that vehicles left parked for extended periods without fulfilling the required procedures, such as updating vehicle information and settling outstanding fees, may expose their owners to legal action, including the possibility of public auction in coordination with the relevant authorities and in accordance with the applicable regulations in the Emirate. The ITC urged the concerned vehicle owners to promptly complete the required procedures, noting that unauthorised parking or failure to register vehicle details constitutes a clear violation of public parking regulations. Such practices obstruct the flow of movement within the yards and negatively impact the visual appearance of the urban environment. This measure is part of the ITC's ongoing efforts to regulate parking usage, maintain smooth traffic flow, ensure public safety, and enhance the urban appearance of the Emirate.

No more 1-hour queues: Dubai RTA's online booking system eases vehicle testing
No more 1-hour queues: Dubai RTA's online booking system eases vehicle testing

Khaleej Times

time18 hours ago

  • Khaleej Times

No more 1-hour queues: Dubai RTA's online booking system eases vehicle testing

For Syed Azeez, yearly vehicle testing was one of those chores he kept putting off, until it became urgent. His car's registration had already expired on May 10, and with only a few days left in the grace period, he rushed to the Shamil Vehicle Testing Centre in Muhaisnah. To his surprise, the centre wasn't crowded at all. 'Last year, I had to wait for more than 45 minutes just to hand over my car to the technician,' said Azeez, who drives a Lexus IS 300, 2018. At the entrance, a security guard advised him to book an appointment online. 'I booked the slot, received a token, and handed over my car. Within 20 minutes, the test was complete, and I had the results,' he said. Starting June 2, vehicle owners in Dubai must book an appointment online for their annual technical inspection, as mandated by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). The rule applies to all 27 vehicle testing centres across the city, except Tasjeel Hatta. While walk-ins are still allowed, they now come with a Dh100 service fee. The move follows a successful six-month pilot at Al Qusais and Al Barsha, where waiting times dropped by 46 per cent. According to the RTA, the system will reduce congestion, cut wait times by nearly 40 per cent, and streamline operations at busy centres that previously operated at over 80 per cent capacity. Azeez said the system saved him a lot of time and stress. 'I didn't waste time standing in queues. I went straight in and straight out. It used to take me over an hour before,' he said. Once his vehicle passed the test, the rest of the process was just as seamless. 'I renewed my insurance online, cleared a small fine, and completed the registration, all within five minutes using the RTA app,' he added. 'No paperwork, no running around. Just peace of mind.' Game changer for working professionals Riya Joseph, a resident of Al Nahda and a marketing executive at an FMCG company, said the new system is ideal for busy professionals. 'I have back-to-back meetings on most days, so standing in a queue for an hour is just not possible,' she said. Driving a Kia Sportage 2021, she booked her slot at the same location and left the Muhaisnah centre within 20 minutes. 'There were barely any cars waiting. It was so well-organised,' she said, adding that the system made the entire experience smoother. 'The staff wasn't stressed, the area was calm, and I didn't feel rushed or confused like before. It was really professional.' She also pointed out an added benefit — fuel savings. 'In earlier years, I used to keep the car running while waiting in long queues. This time, I saved on fuel.' 'No rush, no stress' Sameer Akram, a Sharjah resident who drives a Toyota Corolla 2018, booked his test at the Al Qusais Tasjeel Centre, a location that previously saw heavy crowds. 'This time, I reached at my scheduled time, drove in without waiting, and the inspection was done in around 15 minutes,' said the outdoor sales executive. 'The app showed my vehicle had passed. Right after that, I opened the app, renewed my insurance, paid fines, and registered my vehicle. The whole thing took less than 30 minutes, start to finish.' Sameer, who has three vehicles at home, said registration renewal used to be time-consuming. 'I once got fined over Dh500 for missing the deadline. Now, it feels like a burden lifted off of my shoulders.' He added that centres like Al Qusais used to operate with waiting times of nearly an hour. 'I remember seeing long lines and waiting over an hour in the past. Now, the centre feels much more balanced and organised.' Some still unaware of the new rule While the new system has eased the process for many, a few motorists were caught off guard, unaware that prior booking is now mandatory to avoid delays and extra charges. Asgar Rehman, a vehicle maintenance expert and a reseller of cars who often gets testing done at least 7 times a month did not schedule an appointment. 'I wasn't aware of the new rule. I thought it was the usual first-come, first-served,' he said. After arriving, staff informed him he had to book a slot online or pay Dh100 extra. 'I had to wait about 40 minutes just to book my appointment as the slots were full, then return to the queue to get the vehicle tested. It delayed my plans for the day.' 'It's a good system, but I wish I had known earlier. A simple reminder or alert on the RTA app would have helped me,' added Rehman.

Eid Al Adha 2025: SelfDrive Mobility launches app with new AED1 car rental offer
Eid Al Adha 2025: SelfDrive Mobility launches app with new AED1 car rental offer

Arabian Business

time18 hours ago

  • Arabian Business

Eid Al Adha 2025: SelfDrive Mobility launches app with new AED1 car rental offer

SelfDrive Mobility has launched a new mobile application designed to streamline the car rental process, coinciding with Eid Al Adha celebrations. The mobility technology company's platform allows customers to complete bookings in three steps within one minute. The application enables users to select services, choose from vehicle models, and process payments through a single interface. The platform accommodates daily rentals, long-term leases, and corporate subscriptions. Eid car rental deal To mark Eid celebrations, SelfDrive has introduced a promotional offer featuring select car models at one dirham per day. The promotion covers Suzuki Ciaz, Nissan Sunny, Toyota Yaris, and Suzuki Baleno models for daily rental bookings. The offer runs from June 2 through June 9, 2025, available through the SelfDrive mobile application. Customers access the promotion by downloading the app, selecting the 'Daily' tab, choosing from eligible models, and completing the booking process. 'Whether you're planning a quick getaway, visiting family, or just want to cruise in style without breaking the bank, SelfDrive's Eid flash sale offer is the perfect deal to fuel your plans,' the company said in a statement. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Car Rentals (@ The AED1 daily rate applies to daily rentals booked through the mobile application during the promotional period. The company has confirmed no additional charges apply to the advertised rate. SelfDrive Mobility began operations in 2017 in the UAE and has expanded across the Middle East, Europe, and Turkey. The company operates in the UAE, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Turkey. The platform has served over 1.5 million customers representing 95 nationalities. SelfDrive provides access to more than 100 car models from over 50 brands through direct partnerships with dealerships.

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