Dubai Car Rental Requirements: RTA, TARS and SIRA Explained

01Three names. Three different jobs.

RTA is the authority, TARS is the rental-contract system, and SecurePath is the vehicle-tracking layer associated with SIRA. Completing one does not complete the other two.

RTA describes TARS as a system for issuing electronic rental contracts and supervising rental operations. SecurePath is a GPS tracking and fleet-management service. Neither should be confused with your customer-facing booking calendar.

RTA announcement: what TARS does

02Start with the permit, then activate TARS

For a new company, the published RTA route begins with the licensing authority's preliminary approval. Use the official application rather than treating a consultant's package as the government procedure.

1. Open the RTA NOC service and select the individual account route for a new company. Sign in through UAE Pass.
2. Select Issue New No Objection Certificate. Enter the company, activity, member and contact details from your preliminary approval.
3. Submit, complete any required approval and pay. Finish the Trade Licence process with its issuing authority.
4. Obtain the Traffic File number and activity permit.
5. Use your RTA account to access TARS and follow its training material.

Existing companies use the company-account route. RTA also publishes an application walkthrough.

RTA application, fees and TARS activation

Watch the official NOC application video

03Know which fees you are paying

The published new-application total for Activity 5 is AED 3,220. It includes AED 1,000 for the NOC, AED 100 for the security-system training form, AED 2,000 for online rental-system subscription, AED 100 for the legal authorisation letter and AED 20 for knowledge and innovation. This is not the total cost of establishing your company.

Source: RTA new NOC fee schedule, Activity 5

The separate activity card lists permit renewal at AED 1,000, training at AED 100 and the following annual fleet-size bands. Do not add these to the new-application total as though every line were a separate first-year charge.

Source: RTA Car Rental activity card

04TARS belongs in your daily rental workflow

TARS is used to issue and record rental contracts, not just register your company once. Treat it as part of the workflow whenever you arrange a vehicle hire.

Before preparing a contract, have the customer's identification and driving licence, vehicle details, rental dates and agreed terms ready. This is a practical preparation checklist, not a reproduction of the portal's mandatory fields.

A WhatsApp enquiry or provisional booking is not the same as a rental contract. Keep enquiries, confirmed arrangements and the official contract process separate. Use the current TARS training material for contract handling, including changes and completion; do not assume your private booking software submits anything automatically.

For access or technical problems, contact tars.support@rta.ae.

Source: RTA electronic rental-contract system

05SIRA tracking: installation and annual renewal

The RTA car-rental activity card requires an approved tracking system and an installation certificate renewed annually. A consumer GPS tracker is not a substitute for meeting the approved-system requirements.

When arranging installation, ask the provider to confirm its current approval, the device, activation, certificate and renewal scope in writing. Request separate amounts for hardware, fitting, subscription, certificate handling and VAT. Also ask how vehicle replacement or device removal is handled.

Those are purchasing checks, not an invented portal procedure. Keep the certificate and renewal date with each vehicle's operating documents.

Source: RTA tracking and certificate requirements

The SIRA page states that SIM and data are included. These are published subscription figures, not a verified all-in installation quote for your fleet. Confirm the applicable plan and complete provider price before ordering.

Source: SIRA SecurePath pricing

06Use the right support desk

• TARS access and technical issues: tars.support@rta.ae.
• SIRA enquiries: 600500100 or info@sira.gov.ae.
• SecurePath: care@securepath.ae, listed in its public certified-vendor directory.

Include your company name, the relevant file or permit reference and a clear description of the issue. Share customer or identity documents only through the appropriate official channel. Never send your password.

SIRA contact page

SecurePath certified-vendor directory

07Keep acquisition separate from compliance

Getting a lead and issuing a rental contract are different jobs. Use rentalfinder.ae to present your fleet and help customers make enquiries. Keep the official contract and vehicle-compliance work in your operating process.

A clearer handover between the person answering customers and the person preparing contracts helps prevent missing information and repeated questions. It does not require pretending that a listing platform replaces RTA or SIRA.