Quick answer
To sell a car in the UAE on someone else's behalf, you need a valid power of attorney from the registered owner that specifically authorises selling, transferring or cancelling the vehicle. It's usually notarised in the UAE, or notarised abroad and legalised through the proper embassy and UAE authentication process. Check the traffic authority accepts the wording before relying on it.
Sometimes the registered owner simply can't be there to sell the car. They've already left the UAE, they're travelling, they're unwell, or a family member is managing their affairs. A power of attorney lets someone else complete the sale on their behalf, but only if it's done properly. A weak or badly worded document is one of the most common reasons car transfers get refused.
When you need one
- The owner has already left the UAE and the car is still here
- The owner is travelling at the time of the sale
- A family member is managing the sale, for example for an elderly relative
- A company employee is acting for the company without being a named signatory
- The owner is unwell or otherwise unable to attend
If the owner is still in the UAE and able to attend, completing the sale personally is almost always simpler.
What the power of attorney should cover
A vague general power of attorney may be refused for a vehicle transaction. Safer documents usually include:
| Item | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Owner's full name, nationality and ID details | Identifies who is granting authority |
| Attorney's full name and ID details | Identifies who can act |
| Vehicle details: plate number and chassis number | Links the authority to a specific car |
| Specific powers: sell, transfer, cancel registration, export | Covers every route the sale might take |
| Power to deal with the traffic authority | Allows the attorney to complete paperwork |
| Power to settle fines and deal with the bank | Removes blockers |
| Power to receive payment | Avoids disputes about the money |
| Validity period | Shows the document is current |
The more specific the document, the less room there is for a refusal.
Getting it notarised in the UAE
Powers of attorney are commonly notarised through official notary services. Several emirates offer digital or remote options, while others require attendance. Check the current process with the courts or notary services in the relevant emirate. Bring the owner's Emirates ID, the attorney's details and the vehicle details.
Getting it done from abroad
If the owner has already left, the document typically needs more steps:
- Signed before a notary in the owner's country of residence
- Legalised through that country's required channels, which often include the foreign ministry
- Attested by the UAE embassy or consulate in that country
- Authenticated in the UAE by the relevant ministry
- Translated into Arabic by a certified translator, if required
This can take weeks, so start as early as possible. Check with the UAE embassy in the owner's country for the current process.
Common mistakes
- Wording that doesn't mention the vehicle, or only mentions it vaguely
- Missing chassis number, so the document can't be matched to the car
- No authority to cancel or export, when the car ends up being scrapped
- No authority to receive payment, leaving the money unresolved
- Expired or undated documents
- Missing legalisation for documents made abroad
- Relying on a friend's promise instead of any document at all
Before the attorney sells the car
The attorney should still make sure:
- Fines on the vehicle file are cleared or settled from the price
- Any bank loan is settled and the mortgage released
- The owner's Emirates ID copy and the registration details are available
- Payment arrangements match what the power of attorney allows
- The owner is kept informed in writing
Protecting the owner
A power of attorney is powerful. Owners should:
- Grant it only to someone they trust completely.
- Limit it to the specific vehicle and transaction.
- Set a sensible validity period.
- Ask for copies of the sale agreement and transfer record.
- Check their traffic file afterwards to confirm the car is no longer registered to them.
A better route if you can
If the owner is still in the UAE, completing the sale themselves before leaving avoids almost all of these steps. Read can you leave the UAE with a car in your name? and what documents you need to sell a car in the UAE.
We regularly help people sell cars before leaving the UAE, including sales handled by an authorised family member.
Frequently asked questions
Can my spouse sell my car without a power of attorney?
Can I use a power of attorney made outside the UAE?
Does a general power of attorney work for selling a car?
How long does a power of attorney take to prepare?
Can a power of attorney be cancelled?
Written by the JunkMyCar Editorial Team
Published 17 September 2026. Last checked and updated 17 September 2026.
We write from the day-to-day work of buying damaged and non-running cars across the UAE, and check legal and procedural points against official sources such as RTA, TAMM and the Central Bank of the UAE. Rules and fees change, so confirm anything important with the relevant authority. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.