RTA to unify testing, licensing of trailers and semi-trailers in Dubai

"The RTA has opted to carry out a simultaneous testing & registration of the 'truck and trailer' combined in order to better protect roads, and curb crashes triggered by negligence," said Mohammed Abdul Kareem Nimaat, Director of RTA Vehicles Licensing. "Previously we used to carry out testing & licensing of trucks only; which has the potential of posing several risks to lives and properties. This prompted us to develop procedures aimed at protecting all concerned parties through introducing mandatory testing & registration of trailers and semi-trailers to ensure their road worthiness," added Nimaat.

"Numbers of trailers & semi-trailers in the UAE is sharply on the up; which brings on us the onus of protecting them and providing proof of their ownership & affiliation to the concerned owner. Therefore carrying out technical testing for these vehicles, through approved testing centers of heavy vehicles (Tamam Al Ghandi, ENOC Al Warsan, ENOC Jebel Ali, Al Shiraw Co), will contribute to detecting & fixing of faults. Tests will include the functionality of the brake, quality of tires, lighting system and the overall body of the trailer. The process is set to cut down crashes considerably as all parties will work as a single team towards realizing RTA vision of Safe & Smooth Transport for All," commented the Director of Vehicles Licensing.

About the insurance cover of trailers, Nimaat said: "Since last September, the RTA has abolished the compulsory insurance of trailers and semi-trailers by incorporating it in the insurance of trucks. This step was taken following successive meetings with the national Insurance Authority and insurers in Dubai which concluded to a smooth and handy process for all concerned parties capable of attracting owners to the licensing & insuring of this category of vehicles. The new procedure will be less expensive for firms and owners of trailers as a single insurance certificate will issued cover both the truck and trailer, instead of issuing a separate insurance certificate for each of them, which was the case in the past.