Cumulus rules require all cars older than three years which have been registered in Dubai to undergo a roadworthiness assessment for their Mulkiya (registration card) annually. The Road and Transport Authority (RTA) has appointed several testing operators for it, and the most common ones are Tasjeel, Shamil, and Tamam. If you’re not sure which to choose, the answer is all three charge the same government fees; the actual differences are in area coverage, extra service coverage, and convenience extras.
In here, you can find all the details you need to know about Tasjeel vs Shamil vs Tamam in 2026, such as the fees, location, services, VIP service, and which centre is appropriate for which type of drivers.
Quick Facts
| Feature | Tasjeel | Shamil | Tamam |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operated by | ENOC (Dubai Police + RTA) | Emarat (RTA + Ministry of Interior) | Al Ghandi Group (RTA partner) |
| UAE Locations | 32+ (Dubai, Sharjah, Northern Emirates) | 8 (Dubai + 4 Northern Emirates) | 1 main centre, Al Aweer, Dubai |
| Light Vehicle Test Fee | AED 150 + AED 20 (Knowledge fee) | AED 150 + AED 20 (Knowledge fee) | AED 150 + AED 20 (Knowledge fee) |
| Re-test Fee | AED 70 | AED 70 | AED 70 |
| VIP / Pick & Drop | Yes | Yes (AED 200 package) | No |
| Mobile Testing | Yes (fleet, min 5 vehicles) | No | No |
| Heavy Vehicles | Yes | Yes | Yes (7 HV lanes) |
| Booking Required | Yes (RTA app/website) | Yes (RTA app/website) | Yes (RTA app/website) |
| Test Certificate Validity | 30 days | 30 days | 30 days |
Why Vehicle Testing Is Mandatory in the UAE
The UAE plans to make the rules for annual technical inspections more stringent, such that all privately owned vehicles older than three years in 2026 must be inspected annually before renewal. The rule will be in effect throughout all seven emirates and will be enforced by the Roads and Transport Authority in Dubai (RTA) and other traffic authorities in other emirates. The test includes areas related to brakes, steering, lighting, tyres, exhaust emissions and structure.
There are also three other situations where vehicle testing in the UAE is required: If a vehicle’s ownership is transferred between two owners before and after registration, before the vehicle is exported from the country, and when a vehicle’s registration has lapsed for a long period of time and the vehicle needs to be registered again. New cars don’t require testing in the first 3 years after they’re first registered.
Key fact: Dubai has 28 vehicle testing centres, of which 27 now require online pre-booking – from 2 June 2025. However, Tasjeel Hatta still has walk-in admission, free of charge. There are 19 centres where walk-in processing is conducted, and an extra AED 100 fee applies. 8 centres have a 0 walk-in basis. To book, use the RTA Dubai app (iOS / Android) or rta.ae.
To summarise: All cars aged 3 years and above will be required to be tested in the UAE in 2026. The RTA has regulated the fees for light vehicles to AED 150 plus AED 20, a standard fee. Most of the Dubai testing centres require booking prior to the day of testing.
Tasjeel: The Largest Vehicle Testing Network in the UAE
Tasjeel is the UAE’s largest vehicle testing and registration network that includes the first. It was established in 1999 by a partnership between ENOC (Emirates National Oil Company) and Dubai Police, and has been under the supervision of RTA since 2006. Tasjeel has over 32 centres in Dubai, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah and the Northern Emirates, and it is the most geographically spread out of any centres in the UAE.
What does Tasjeel offer? As well as extending car registrations, Tasjeel can renew them, carts its own license plates, replace them if stolen or damaged, import and export, obtain car valuation certificates and renew them, and runs “mobile vehicle inspections” for corporate fleets (min. 5 cars per booking), and can even provide vehicle testing during import (Gulf Specification Test), or export, International Driving Licences and used car comprehensive tests.
Tasjeel Fees 2026
| Service | Light Vehicle (AED) | Heavy Vehicle (AED) |
|---|---|---|
| Periodic Renewal Test | 150 + 20 (KI fee) | 200 + 20 (KI fee) |
| New Registration Test | 150 + 20 (KI fee) | 200 + 20 (KI fee) |
| Re-test (within 30 days) | 70 | 70 |
| Walk-in surcharge (19 centres) | 100 extra | 100 extra |
| Registration Renewal (excl. test) | ~AED 380 | Varies |
| VIP / Pick & Drop | Available (varies by centre) | N/A |
| Mobile Inspection (fleet) | Available (min 5 vehicles) | Available |
Why Choose Tasjeel?
Rendering its own published data, Tasjeel serves more than 1.6 million customers every year and has been regularly awarded for service excellence by RTA. The 32+ centres are spread out in different emirates, so that most residents of Dubai as well as Sharjah have ashort distancee from the Tasjeel centre. Unlike the UAE’s other testing firms, several Tasjeel branches are open around the clock for 24 hours a day. Tasjeel Hatta is the only centre around Dubai that still accepts walk-ins without any extra charges in 2026.
Ideal for: Drivers who would like as mmanylocation choices, 24/7 access to select locations, mobile fleet testing or classic and specialised vehicle testing (at Tasjeel Al Barsha).
As a testing operator, Tasjeel 2026 is as follows: the largest testing operator in the UAE, as of 2026, with 32+ centres, 1.6 million yearly customers, and the UAE’s only mobile vehicle inspection services (VIS). It’s under RTA licence and operated by ENOC in Dubai, Sharjah and the Northern Emirates.
Shamil: The Government-Backed One-Stop Testing Centre
Shamil is a partnership between Emarat (Emirates General Petroleum Corporation), the UAE Ministry of Interior and the RTA. With this Government partnership, Shamil has a very solid institutional position and becomes the only test operator with a formal relationship to the Ministry of Interior for services to vehicles. Today, Shamil has eight premises located in three Emirates – four in Dubai and four spread across the Northern Emirates, including centres in Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain.
What makes Shamil different? In addition to the vehicle test itself, Shamil is also a real one-stop shop. Visitors can undertake the vehicle test, settle outstanding traffic fines, renew their car insurance, register their vehicles and even apply for an international driving licence by combining their visit to Shamil with a trip to the Arabian Automobile Association (AAA).
Shamil Fees 2026
| Service | Fee (AED) |
|---|---|
| First vehicle test (light) | 150 + 20 (Knowledge & Innovation fee) |
| Re-test | 70 |
| VIP testing + registration + pick & drop | 200 (all-inclusive package) |
| Standard registration renewal (post-test) | ~AED 380 |
| Fine payment | Available on-site |
| Car insurance | Available on-site |
Shamil Locations in Dubai
Shamil’s shops are located at Al Qusais, Bur Dubai (Al Hudaiba), Nad Al Hamar and Al Muhaisinah in Dubai. These sites include important high anmedium-densityty residential and commercial corridors throughout the City. Contact: +971 4 267 1117 (varies by branch).
At almost all branches, Shamil says that vehicle testing and registration will take under 30 minutes. The shower, registration renewal and pick-up/drop-off of vehicles is included in the VIP service package at AED (Arabian Automobile Association) AED 200.
Ideal for: Drivers seeking to pay their fines, renew insurance, or register their car when they’re taking their driving test. Suitable also to those residing in the northern Emirates, as Shamil remained in Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain.Suitable also to those who live in the Northern Emirates, as Shamil is in power in Ajman, Fujairah, and Umm Al Quwain.
Shamil at a Glance: Shamil is a joint venture with UAthe E Ministry of Interior and Emarat and has 8 branches, each of which is located in Dubai and the Northern Emirates. Available in the UAE in 2026, its AED 200 VIP package is the most reasonable all-in-one testing, registration,n and pick up service.
Tamam: The Specialist Heavy Vehicle and High-Capacity Centre
Tamam is managed by the Al Ghandi GGroupwho is a valued strategic partner for both RTA and the Government of Dubai. Tamam, unlike Tasjeel and Shamil, doesn’t have multiple locations, but it certainly has to offer on scale and specialisation in this situation! It’s not that Tamam lacks numbers; it has lots of capacity and lots of specialisation. In this case, the OTE Complex on Ras Al Khor Road, Al Aweer, is a single big operation.
What is Tamam best known for? Tamam is amongst the largest self-contained vehicle testing facilities in the UAE (United Arab Emirates). It currently contains seven light vehicle inspection lanes, seven heavy vehicle lanes and a motorcycle lane. The centre has a capability to take around 50 trailers at a time, and it has proved to be the most preferred for logistics companies, fleet owners and heavy vehicles or commercial vehicle owners in Dubai.
Tamam Fees 2026
| Service | Light Vehicle (AED) | Heavy Vehicle (AED) |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Renewal Test | 150 + 20 (KI fee) | 200 + 20 (KI fee) |
| New Registration Test | 150 + 20 (KI fee) | 200 + 20 (KI fee) |
| Re-test | 70 | 70 |
| Motorcycle testing | Available (dedicated lane) | N/A |
| Trailer testing (up to 50) | Available | Available |
| On-site / Auction inspection | Available | Available |
Tamam Additional Services
Tamam offers more than just the run-of-the-mill test. It offers customers a range of services like chassis number punching, vehicle inspection in-house, tyres, car insurance, full-auction packages, test packages for fleet purchases, vehicle registration and renewal. But the generous layout includes a fully fleshed-out waiting area and ample parking — a feature some smaller urban centres may lack.
Best for: Fleet managers, logistics companies, heavy vehicle owners, motorcycle owners, and anybody who requires trailer testing capacity. Works well for drivers who would like to operate from a large, efficient single site.
Tamam at a glance: Al Aweer is the UAE’s biggest vehicle inspection centre, owned by Al Ghandi Group, or “Tamam” as the facility is known locally. It is the one facility suitable for commercial and fleet operators, with its range of combined light and heavy vehicle testing lanes, and 50-trailer capacity.
Tasjeel vs Shamil vs Tamam: Full Comparison 2026
AUT checked: Which is the best vehicle testing centre in the UAE in 2026? The answer is relative to the vehicle type, location and what other needs you have to resolve. The following is an apples-to-apples comparison along all significant criteria.
| Criteria | Tasjeel | Shamil | Tamam |
|---|---|---|---|
| Network size | 32+ locations | 8 locations | 1 location (large capacity) |
| Emirates covered | Dubai, Sharjah, RAK, Northern Emirates | Dubai + Ajman, Fujairah, UAQ | Dubai (Al Aweer only) |
| Light vehicle testing | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Heavy vehicle testing | Yes | Yes | Yes (7 dedicated lanes) |
| Motorcycle testing | Yes (select centres) | Yes (select centres) | Yes (dedicated lane) |
| Trailer testing | Yes | Limited | Yes (up to 50 trailers) |
| VIP pick & drop | Yes (select centres) | Yes — AED 200 all-in | No |
| Mobile testing | Yes (fleet, min 5) | No | No |
| Fine payment | No | Yes | No |
| Insurance on-site | No | Yes | Yes |
| 24/7 availability | Yes (select branches) | No | No |
| Classic car testing | Yes (Al Barsha) | No | No |
| International Driving Licence | Yes | Yes (via AAA) | No |
| Test completion time | 15–45 mins | Under 30 mins | 15–45 mins |
| RTA booking | Required (RTA app) | Required (RTA app) | Required (RTA app) |
How to Book a Vehicle Test in the UAE 2026
The requirement for online pre-booking at all RTA licensed testing centres in Dubai (except Tasjeel Hatta) has been enforced, except for predetermined appointments. All RTA licensed testing centres in Dubai (except Tasjeel Hatta) have introduced a requirement for online pre-booking, except for pre-planned appointments. The process will be the same for Tasjeel, Shamil and Tamam.
Step-by-Step Booking Process
- Step 1: By opening the RTA Dubai app (IOS & Android) or visiting the RTA.AE website.
- Step 2: Open the RTA Dubai app (IOS/ Android) or visit RTA.AE website.
- Step 3: Place all bills on the account.Step 4: Make all payments from a single account.
- Step 4: Select the year in the Vehicle Licensing regulations section.Step 5: Click Vehicle Testing.
- Step 5: Click the vehicle to make a selection in the list of vehicles you have registered or to enter its plate number
- Step 6: Select “inspection type” (Renewal, export, new registration)
- Step 7: Choose preferred centre (Tasjeel, Shamil or Tamam) and available time slot
- Step 8: Confirm and pay. Your SMS & email confirmation will be received instantly.
Documents Required at the Centre
Please come in with the following:
- The original Emirates ID of the owner of the vehicle (or Power of Attorney if someone else is transporting the vehicle)
- Present vehicle registration card (Mulkiya)
- The UAE car insurance certificate is valid.
- Company trade licence (if registering or renewing under a company name)
Note: An important note is that after a successful test, the pass certificate is valid for 30 days from the time of issuance. This is when the registration renewal, ownership transfer or export processing must be done. Failure to perform the test within 30 days requires you to pay for the entire test again.
What Does the UAE Vehicle Test Check?
All three centres – Tasjeel, Shamil, Tamam – are under Mandated Technical Inspection (MTA) carried out by the RTA. For a light vehicle, the test usually takes about 15-45 minutes. Video footage of the test is recorded for later review. The test usually takes about 15-45 minutes (depending on the length of the vehicles in the queue or checks required), and a video is taken for follow-up.
| Inspection Area | What Is Checked |
|---|---|
| Brakes | Brake performance, pad condition, and brake fluid levels |
| Lighting | Headlights, indicators, brake lights, reverse lights |
| Tyres | Tread depth, condition, correct pressure and sizing |
| Steering | Alignment, responsiveness, and play in the steering wheel |
| Exhaust emissions | CO2 output, compliance with UAE environmental standards |
| Suspension | Shock absorbers, alignment, and undercarriage integrity |
| Safety items | Safety triangle, spare wheel, fire extinguisher (where applicable) |
| Windscreen/wipers | Cracks, visibility obstruction, and wiper function |
| Window tint | Must not exceed 50% on side windows — non-compliant tints fail |
| Chassis/body | Structural damage, VIN/chassis number verification |
A driver who fails any of the tests would be given 30 days to rectify the issue and come back for re-testing. The re-test price for light vehicles is AED 70. A full inspection charge will be levied against the vehicle if it does not have a test within 30 days of the previous one.
Which Vehicle Testing Centre Should You Choose?
The three centres determined their fees in line with RTA guidelines. This all depends on your requirements and where you live.
| Your Situation | Best Choice |
|---|---|
| You want the most location options in Dubai or Sharjah | Tasjeel |
| You want to pay fines and renew insurance in the same visit | Shamil |
| You have a heavy vehicle, trailer, or commercial fleet | Tamam (Al Aweer) |
| You want a VIP door-to-door pick & drop at the lowest cost | Shamil (AED 200 all-in) |
| You drive a motorcycle | Tamam (dedicated lane) or Tasjeel |
| You need testing outside Dubai (Ajman, Fujairah, UAQ) | Shamil |
| You want 24-hour testing availability | Tasjeel (select branches) |
| You have a classic car | Tasjeel Al Barsha |
| You are testing a corporate fleet (5+ vehicles) | Tasjeel (mobile service) |
Final Thoughts
In 2026, there are exactly three RTA-licensed government vehicle testing centres, Tasjeel, Shamil and Tamam, all of which are reliable. Deciding which one to choose hinges on your vehicle type, geographical proximity to them and other tasks you need to accomplish in one go. For those who drive a regular private car and wish the most flexible location options, Tasjeel is the obvious choice. Since you can back all of your vehicle and auto insurance renewal upkeep, plus you can pay the loan repayments, a finances aggregation makes the most sense, particularly for Shamil. For the heavy vehicle, the trailer or commercial fleet operator, Tamam at Al Aweer is designed for you. Book your test online through the RTA Dubai App before you walk-in as there are more charges for walk-ins at most centres. 8 centres will outright say no and refuse to test without a scheduled arrangement. Bring your Emirates ID with you, current Mulkiya and insurance certificate.
Read More:
Sharjah Muroor Traffic Department: Complete Guide to Services, Location, Fines & Registration 2026
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Are the fees the same at Tasjeel, Shamil, and Tamam?
Yes. All licensed operators are charged a suggested fee of AED150 by RTA for the light vehicle and an additional AED 20 Knowledge and Innovation fee. Re-test fees are also set in accordance with national standards (AED 70). There’s a fee that can be adjusted to different packages, and that is Shamil’s optional VIP service for AED 200 for an all-inclusive package.
Q2. Which UAE vehicle testing centre has the most locations?
By 2026, Tasjeel will have the largest number of locations with more than 32 centres across Dubai, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah and the Northern Emirates. There are 8 branches of Shamil and 1 main location of Tamam in Al Aweer, Dubai.
Q3. Is booking mandatory for Tasjeel, Shamil, and Tamam?
Yes. The use of the RTA app and rta.ae has been implemented at the three centres for online pre-booking as of 2 June 2025. Walk-in is permitted at 19 centres with a fee of AED 100 for the visit, and not in 8 centres. However, only one exception exists, Tasjeel Hatta, who still welcomes walk-in customers without any levy.
Q4. How long does the vehicle test take?
The actual light vehicle test lasts between 15 and 45 minutes. Total time required for actual inspection, including queuing and paperwork, can be up to 30-45 minutes. At most branches, Shamil claims to be completed within 30 minutes.
Q5. What happens if my car fails the test?
Allows 30 days of repair and re-testing from the date of the test. The re-test fee will be AED 70. The full inspection fee is to be paid if it is not done within 30 days. The initial defect report also automatically gets removed and won’t be used for appeal purposes as a reference.
Q6. Can I use Tasjeel in Dubai to renew a Sharjah-registered vehicle?
Yes. Following the initial registration test, an authorised test by RTA or any wardenate (including Tasjeel registration centre at Sharjah or Dubai) is valid for future extension irrespective of the wardenate from which the vehicle is registered. Before visiting a centre, check with them if they accept renewals cross-emirate.
Q7. Does Shamil offer vehicle testing in the Northern Emirates?
Yes. Besides four branches located in Dubai, Shamil has branches in Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain. So, for people living in the Northern Emirates, Shamil is the best choice.
Q8. What is the Tamam vehicle testing centre location?
Tamam is situated at OTE Complex, Ras Al Khor Road, Al Aweer, Dubai. It is a standalone facility where 7 light vehicle lanes are located, 7 heavy vehicle lanes are located, and a separate motorcycle lane. This supports up to 50 trailers at any one time.
Q9. Which centre is best for heavy vehicle testing in the UAE?
If you’re looking at heavy vehicles and trailers, then Tamam at Al Aweer is your best bet, especially since it has the highest share of dedicated capacity in the UAE. Tasjeel and Shamil also provide test facilities for heavy vehicles at some of their locations, but Tamam, with its scale of 7 HV lanes and 50 trailers, is the preferred option for logistics and commercial operators.
Q10. Do I need car insurance before the vehicle test?
Yes. A valid car insurance certificate will be required in light of UAE regulations on driving privileges at the test centre. It is required for the centre to process your vehicle without it. You can buy or renew insurance at Shamil on-site before your test, if you wish.
Q11. How long is the vehicle test certificate valid?
All three centres have a 30-day technical inspection pass certificate. This 30-day period is a must for completing registration or all other post-test procedures.
Q12. Are seniors or People of Determination exempt from booking requirements?
Yes. Senior citizens and People of Determination are exempt from the mandatory Online Bookings Rule for their Dubai-registered vehicles. The mandatory Online Bookings Rule applies to DDubai-registered vehicles except for the Owners who are the Senior Citizens and People of Determination.
