Dubai: Motorists in Dubai can now renew their driving licences and vehicle registrations using online services, according to a senior official.

"We have launched two new e-services on the portal of the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) to help people renew their vehicle registrations and driving licences in the comfort of their homes," Ahmad Bahrouzian, CEO of the RTA's Licensing Agency, told a press conference on Monday.

He said the new services would reduce trips to the RTA's offices, thereby saving both time and money.

"The aim of the e-services is to give motorists more options to renew licences and vehicle registrations," he said, adding that the RTA would launch more e-services this year as part of its strategic plan to offer more customer-friendly and convenient services.

"The online initiative will help customers purchase number plates, vehicle ownership certificates and schedule driving test appointments, to name a few," he added.

Once registered online, motorists will also be able to view their traffic fines and other details pertaining to driving licences and vehicle registrations.

He said the RTA would focus mainly on major companies with huge fleets of vehicles.

"Company-owned vehicles are more than 30 per cent of the vehicles registered in the emirate," he added.

Dubai had more than one million vehicles registered at the end of 2008 and more than 1.2 million people hold driving licences.

"All these people have to go to the RTA offices to get service and have to wait in queues. The new online services will help reduce the rush," he added.

The RTA has teamed up with four of its partners, including Tasjeel, Shammal, Wasl and Tamam, which provide vehicle testing services.

Giving details about the procedure, Bahrouzian said that the a motorist first has to open a file on the RTA's website. The person then must take the vehicle for technical testing and the testing company will send the vehicle's details to the motorist's file after it passes the test.

The motorist must get insurance and provide details in his online application. He/she then gets a registration card within four working days through a courier without having to go to the customer service centre and wait in a queue.

Similarly, a person applying for renewal of a driving licence must go for an eye test either at Al Jaber Optical centre or Yateem Opticians.These centres will send the eye-test reports along with the applicant's pictures to the licensing agency.

Applicants will get the licence delivered at home within four working days after filling an online application and paying the fees.