50,000 vehicles sporting new-look coded registration plates

The changeover is being handled exclusively by Tasjeel, the vehicle testing and registration joint venture between Dubai Police and Emirates Petroleum Products Company (EPPCO), a subsidiary of the Emirates National Oil Company (ENOC).

Tasjeel sites at Al Ghusais and Al Barsha, the only outlets fitting the new plates, stayed open for most of Eid and drivers flocked in their hundreds to take advantage of the service. The 50,000th plate was fitted at the Al Barsha site during the holiday.

Tasjeel carries out vehicle testing and documentation typing while the police provide on-site registration. Private insurance companies also operate in the facility. The service takes the hassle out of testing and registration and has an average processing time of just 45 minutes.

The coded plates are replacing the old Burj Al Arab design and the A,B,C,D registration means motorists will be able to retain the same number for longer.

Hussain Sultan, ENOC Chief Executive and Board Member, said: "As the 'Energy Partner of Choice', we are working with Dubai Police to have every vehicle in the emirate changed over to the new easy-to-read registration plates within one year.

"Only Tasjeel is equipped with newly adapted machinery, tools and dies to ensure that manufacturing a set of plates is quick, simple and convenient for our customers."

Tasjeel services include the FixPlus on-site repair shops, service stations, StarMart convenience stores, insurance booths, typing counters, car wash, Quick Lubes, ladies waiting areas, mosque/prayer rooms and ATM facilities. The five Tasjeel Centres in Dubai have carried out more than 350,000 vehicle tests since the beginning of the year.

Tasjeel also offers an elite 'Al Sayara' door-to-door vehicle pick-up and delivery service. Within two hours cars are picked up, tested and registered and delivered back to owners. An 'Express' fast-track service has also been introduced to selected sites where service agents take over the testing and registration while customers relax over a complimentary drink in a lounge-style waiting room. The Tasjeel MVIS, a mobile testing unit can come to a customer's garage and conduct testing and registration, as well as issue new number plates.

At the Tasjeel site in Al Aweer, customers can test their cars before selling them at Dubai Municipality's used-car auction centre.