If you want to put branding on your commercial vehicle in Dubai, an important point that you need to know is that you must get the right government approvals first. We have put out the whole process for getting an advertising permit below for your convenience. The process will have various steps; you have to register your business first, follow the design (mockup) guidelines appropriately, apply for the permit, and get CID approval (if needed). In addition to this, you have to make a payment for the permit fees and update your Mulkiya (vehicle registration) as well. We have included all the supporting documents you will need to make sure that the approval will proceed smoothly and successfully.
How to obtain an advertising permit for your commercial vehicle
01. Company Registration
Register your company in the RTA portal if not registered.
Please click the below link and fill out the application with necessary information:
Register as Company
Section: 1
Section: 2
- Country of Trade License:
Select: UAE (if your company is in Dubai or UAE) - City / Emirate:
Choose: Dubai (or your license emirate) - Type of Company:
Example: LLC, Sole Establishment, Free Zone Company - Business License Issued By, Select one:
Dubai Economic Department (DED), Free Zone (e.g. IFZA, DMCC, etc.) Outside UAE. - Source Type Usually:
Commercial or Professional, Same as your license category - Business License Number:
Enter exact license number, No spaces or mistakes - Issue Date & Expiry Date:
Same as your trade license - Company Name – English:
EXACT name (no spelling changes) - Company Name – Arabic:
EXACT Arabic name as per trade license (no spelling changes) - Comments:
Optional (leave blank or write short note) - Office Telephone:
Example: Country: UAE, Area: 04 (Dubai), Number: XXXXXXX - Fax:
Not important (you can put same number or skip if optional) - 13. Email: use company email (important!):
You will receive login details here - Emirate:
Select: Dubai (or your emirate) - P.O. Box:
Enter company PO Box (or 00000 if you don’t have) - Attach Files, Documents Required to Upload:
Scanned and stamped copy of Trade License.
Scanned copy of the passport of the Company Administrator.
Business card of the Administrator User with the Name, Title and Company logo, Without this, application will be rejected.
Then ✔ click Proceed
Section: 2
This part is for the main person (Admin) who will control the company RTA account:
Apply for permits (vehicle ads, etc.)
Receive login username & password
RTA will send access details to this person’s email
- Username:
Create a login username, Rules:
Minimum 6 characters
Use letters & numbers only
No special characters (@, #, etc.) - Administrator Name:
Enter full name (as Emirates ID or passport) - Select Nationality:
Select your country of nationality - Mobile Number, Enter UAE number:
Example: 971 50 1234567 - Email Address (VERY IMPORTANT):
Use active email, this email will receive:
Approval status & Login credentials - Add your Registered Address:
Then ✔ click Proceed - Authentication code (OTP):
Verify using the OTP sent to email & mobile - Password:
Create a strong password
Use: Uppercase + lowercase + numbers - Confirm Password:
Re-enter same password
Then ✔ click Proceed - What Happens After Submission:
You will receive request number on your computer screen & RTA will reviews your application & conforming within 3 working days. You get conformation email (approved/rejected). After approved you can apply for services (like: advertising permits) - In case of rejection:
You will receive rejection details from RTA by email. Make the necessary corrections and submit again.
02. Mockup Design
Prepare the vehicle mockup design as per RTA guidelines
- Prepare 4 separate mockup design files (.JPG), showcasing the vehicle from the front, back, left, and right side views.
- Arabic language must not be less than 50% of the advertising content.
- Arabic & English must be equal size and visibility.
- Ensure the design does not look like any government vehicles: Police / Ambulance / Civil Defense / Municipality etc.
- The company trade name in Arabic should be exactly as stated on the trade license and the vehicle ownership (Mulkiya / Vehicle registration card).
- Smoking symbols in all their forms are not allowed.
- Flags of countries are not allowed.
- Religious slogans or symbols are not allowed.
- Images that violate public morality are not allowed.
- Other languages (excluding Arabic and English) are not allowed.
- 3D images are not allowed.
- Images on the front upper part of the vehicle are not allowed.
- Images of real people are not allowed.
- The advertisement must not be placed on the vehicle windscreen.
- It is not allowed to include a barcode/QR code in the design.
- The advertisement must not include a lot of expressions.
- The maximum number of images on each side of the vehicle is 5.
- The company must not write an activity that is not mentioned in the trade license.
- The design must comply with the data on the trade license and vehicle ownership.
03. Apply to RTA via (Mada Media Portal)
Mada Media PJSC-SOC is duly authorized by RTA & Dubai Municipality to issue Advertising Permits in the Emirate of Dubai
Required Documents:
• Valid company trade license.
• Vehicle registration/mulkiya.
• Prepare four separate mockup design files (.JPG), showing all four side views of the vehicle.
Terms and Conditions:
- To apply for a new advertisement permit or to renew an application, the Emirates ID must be valid and the trade license must be valid and updated on RTA website.
- The company trade name in Arabic should be exactly as stated on the trade license and the vehicle ownership
- An approval from the investigation department in Dubai Police is required in case of changing the vehicles’ original color. (Sample)
- Attach a valid trademark registration: If the advertisement was for a brand, the client must present the ownership of the trademark that’s registered at the Ministry of Economy or the owner’s NOC, ratified by the notary. (Sample)
- If you are not the owner of the brand or trademark and want to use it for vehicle branding purposes, you must obtain an NOC from the brand owner. (Sample)
- If the vehicle is rented, then it must provide a No Objection Certificate from the leasing company for applying the sticker. (Sample)
- If the advertisement is related to real estate brokerage/real estate, then it’s required to present a (No Objection Certificate) from the Dubai Land Department. (Sample)
- For advertisements on trailers, semi-trailers and mobile advertising vehicles, the customer must get an approval from the Vehicle Licensing Department.
- In case the agency is from outside the country the advertisement must be stamped by the embassy/consulate.
- In case of changing the vehicle color for an advertising sticker, the client must check with the Licensing Agency to update the vehicle information after adding the sticker.
Vehicle Wrap Options:
- Logo & Trade Name: Logo & trade name on the vehicle front doors (both sides) without the windows and windscreens.
- Partial Wrap: Vehicle (both sides) four doors & back side, without the windows and windscreens.
- Full Wrap: All four sides of the vehicle, without the windows and windscreens.
Please follow the below steps to apply for an advertising permit:
Click the link below to apply for an advertisement permit and sign in with your company RTA username and password.
Apply through Mada Media
1: Applicant Company:
- Click “Permit on vehicle”
- Please fill in company information & contact details marked in *.
- If you are the owner of the advertisement tick ✔(Applicant is the owner of Advertisement).
2: Owner Company Details:
- Fill only if the vehicle belongs to another company.
- Click on the “search” icon & put trade lic, number.
- Please fill in company information & contact details marked in *.
- Otherwise, repeat the same details as the applicant.
3: Contractor Company Details:
- Enter contractor company details.
(The company will apply the sticker on the vehicle). - Click on the “search” icon & put contractor trade license number & fill the contractor contact details marked in *.
4: Permit Details:
- Fill the vehicle details & click “search”.
- Select advertisement sticker colors.
- Vehicle type: Select “Light Vehicle” for car & van.
- Select advertisement type: Full / Partial / Slogan.
- Click “Add Vehicle” & click next.
5: Advertisement Details:
- Campaign: Select private company or other options.
- Select advertise type: Corporate or other options Brand / Events / Promotional.
- Start/End Date: Select if for a short-time event.
- Purpose in English & Arabic (optional).
6: Upload Documents & Submit:
- The total size of all the uploaded files should not exceed 4 MB, File name in English only.
- Upload: Trade license & vehicle design (4 sides).
- After uploading, click “Submit”.
- After reviewing all the information, click “Confirm”.
7: Application Submitted Successfully:
- You will see the application reference number on your screen, and you will receive the conformation by email “Application Submitted Successfully”.
- Keep the application reference number for later use.
8: CID Approval / Other Documents
- In “Transaction Log” you will find all RTA comments.
- Upload CID approval & documents required by RTA.
- Re-upload the design file if RTA asks for any change.
- Put in your comments on “Reply to RTA” & click save.
9: Approved / Pending for Payment:
- RTA might comment multiple times.
- After every comment, you will receive an email/SMS notification ”required more information”
- When approved, you are notified by email & SMS.
04. CID Approval:
Apply for CID approval (if required by RTA)
Step-1
- Download the Dubai Police app on your phone.
- Search for “change vehicle color permit.”
- Sign in with UAE Pass or create a UAE Pass.
Step-2
- Fill in the vehicle details & required color
- Upload 4-side vehicle photos, chassis number photo and a short video, then click “Next.”
Step-3
- Review all the information
- Agree on the payment terms (non-refundable)
- Pay the fee & you will receive the receipt by email.
Terms & Conditions:
- Vehicle must be registered in Dubai
- This permit is valid for one month (30 days) from the date of application – non-renewable.
- It is forbidden to paint the vehicle with the color of the armed forces or government departments or reflective or geotextile.
- Vehicle must be brought to “General Department of Criminal Investigations (CID) cars tracking section if needed.
Contact Details:
• Call Center: 901 • E-Mail: mail@dubaipolice.gov.ae • P.O. Box: 1493, Dubai – UAE.
05. Advertising Permit
When application is approved by RTA, complete the payment & click download to get the advertising permit.
After payment is done, in case you didn’t find the permit, then click on the “Quick Search” button on the left.
Select Service Type: “Vehicle,” Click “Search by Permit Detail“ in Permit No.: “Put your application number,” & click on the search button down.
Vehicle Advertising Permit Fee:
| Vehicles | Logo & Trade Name | Partial Wrap | Full Wrap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light Vehicle or Bus Up to 16 Passengers | AED 250/- Annually | AED 500/- Annually | AED 1,000/- Annually |
| Cooler Truck, Pick Up, Pick Up with Trunk | AED 250/- Annually | AED 1,000/- Annually | AED 1,500/- Annually |
| Bus for 26 Passengers | AED 250/- Annually | AED 1,000/- Annually | AED 1,500/- Annually |
| Heavy Bus | AED 250/- Annually | AED 1,500/- Annually | AED 2,500/- Annually |
| Light Mechanical Equipment | AED 250/- Annually | AED 1,000/- Annually | AED 1,500/- Annually |
| Heavy Mechanical Equipment | AED 250/- Annually | AED 1,500/- Annually | AED 2,500/- Annually |
| Motorcycles | Any Wrap: AED 250/- Annually | ||
| Advertising on a Special Status Vehicle | Any Wrap: AED 2,500/- Weekly | ||
| Advertising on a Vehicle for an Event (Light Vehicle) | Any Wrap: AED 2,500/- Weekly | ||
An additional AED 20/- will be charged as Knowledge and Innovation fee.
06. Mulkiya Update (After Vehicle Branding)
What is Mulkiya?: Its vehicle registration card
After Mulkiya update, changes will be shown on the back side of the card (marked in red).
Mulkiya Update Process:
1. Complete the branding before the Mulkiya update
- Take the existing Mulkiya copy.
- CID approval (for color change)
- RTA advertising permit (for branding)
- Wrap/branding must match with the approved design.
- NOC might be required (if the vehicle is leased)
2. Vehicle Inspection
- Visit Tasjeel or any other RTA vehicle testing center.
- Pay the vehicle inspection fees
- Get passing certificate (vehicle color as per CID approval)
3. Apply for Mulkiya Update
- Visit RTA website & select “Update Vehicle Details”
- Pay the Mulkiya update fee.
- Get the updated Mukliya digital copy instantly; physical card (optional)
4. Vehicle Color Violations Issue:
- In case you face this issue, first verify the validity of the CID approval certificate. Please note that the CID permit is valid for 30 days from the date of issuance.
- If the certificate has expired, apply for a new one through the police app. During the application process, upload the existing CID approval certificate in place of the “chassis number” image.
- Once the new CID approval certificate is issued, visit the same RTA inspection center where the initial inspection was done and request them to update/upload the CID approval in the RTA system.
- After completing the above steps, the violation should be cleared, allowing you to proceed with updating the Mulkiya through the RTA website.
Frequently Asked Questions
If the vehicle color doesn’t match the Mulkiya, you may face fines from Dubai Police during inspections or on-road checks.
Yes, the vehicle advertising permit must be renewed annually. A valid permit is required at the time of vehicle registration renewal.
Once the Mulkiya is updated, renewing the CID approval is not required.
To renew your advertising permit, log in to the Mada Media portal, search using your existing approval reference number starting with AMS-, and select the renewal option.
No fines apply if the advertising permit is renewed late, but it must be active before you renew your vehicle registration.
Any vehicle used for commercial branding must be registered under the company name.
Yes, branding is permitted, subject to obtaining an NOC from the leasing company.
Before removing the sticker, the RTA advertising permit must be cancelled, and CID approval may be required if the vehicle color changes.
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