Classic cars in Dubai to get retro-look licence plates

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority will begin issuing the new plates from November

Classic cars in Dubai to get new license plates. Courtesy: RTA

Classic cars in Dubai will soon get new licence plates inspired by the ones common in the emirate in the 1980s.

The new plates will be issued from November, said the emirate’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).

Requests for the plates can be made through RTA’s website and Customer Happiness Centre in Deira.

In a marked change from the current brown plates, the new ones will be yellow and white, and have been designed to align with Dubai’s standard vehicle plates.

“With the new design, the plates can be clearly and easily read from a distance,” said Mattar Al Tayer, director general of RTA.

“The design has two distinct elements — the words Dubai and Classic are written in both Arabic and English on a yellow background while the number is written on a white background.

“The new design meets all the required technical standards. The plates have a touch of luxury and feature innovative digital printing. Moreover, they are not affected by different climate conditions.”

Dubai follows international specifications tailored to classic cars, with these standards taking into account safety belts, type of fuel and type of brakes.

To qualify, a vehicle must be more than 30 years old and meet technical testing requirements.