Bahrain Vehicle Ownership Transfer: Seller and Buyer Steps

Vehicle ownership transfer checklist

1. Confirm the vehicle registration is still valid.
2. Move civil-liability insurance into the buyer's name for the remaining registration period.
3. Clear traffic fines, contraventions and accident records that must be settled.
4. Remove any seizure or finance restriction. Obtain a clearance certificate if the vehicle was financed.
5. Complete the General Directorate of Traffic vehicle licensing form.
6. Book an appointment through the Mawaeid appointment system.
7. The seller and buyer attend Vehicle Licensing or an external service centre, verify signatures, pay BHD 16 and receive the updated ownership certificate.

Official conditions before the transfer

• The vehicle registration must be valid.
• Insurance in the buyer's name must cover the validity period of the registration certificate.
• The vehicle must have no seizure or installment restriction.
• A financing clearance certificate is required when the vehicle was bought on installments.
• Any required authority approval must be obtained when the transfer also changes the vehicle classification.
• All traffic fines, contraventions and accidents must be settled.

Documents for seller and buyer

• Valid ID card for the seller.
• Valid ID card for the buyer.
• Original vehicle ownership certificate.
• Completed Vehicle Licensing Division form signed by the owner.
• Buyer insurance covering the remaining registration period.
• Finance clearance certificate, when applicable.

For a company or establishment, the official page adds a commercial-registration copy, a company-stamped form, and a company letter signed and stamped by the authorised signatory.

How to transfer vehicle ownership in Bahrain

1. Arrange the buyer's insurance

The official form states that the insurance certificate must be transferred before ownership. Ask the insurer to issue coverage in the buyer's name for the remaining vehicle-registration period.

2. Check fines and finance

Pay outstanding traffic fines and resolve accident records that block the transaction. If the vehicle is under installments, the transfer cannot proceed with that restriction in place. Request the financing authority's clearance certificate.

3. Complete the GDT form

Select Transfer of Ownership. Fill the seller, buyer, vehicle and insurance sections carefully. Do not sign for another person unless you hold proper authority accepted by GDT.

4. Book the appointment

The official service directs applicants to book through the Mawaeid appointment system, then visit the GDT Vehicle Licensing Division or an external service centre with the required documents.

5. Verify the seller and buyer

The service conditions call for the seller and buyer to attend and sign Form 1 before the responsible GDT employee. The authority may compare a signature with its records or the ID card if one party does not attend, but it may reject the request when the signature or representative cannot be verified. Attendance is the safest route unless GDT has already confirmed another arrangement.

6. Pay and receive the certificate

After GDT confirms the documents and conditions, pay the prescribed fee. The transfer is completed by issuing the ownership certificate in the new owner's name.

Fee, payment and process time

Fees and process time were checked on the official Bahrain service page on 6 October 2026. Insurance, finance clearance and any unrelated outstanding fines are separate costs.

Financed vehicles, companies and classification changes

If the vehicle has a loan

Obtain a clearance certificate from the financing authority. A vehicle with an active installment restriction does not meet the transfer conditions.

If a company is seller or buyer

Take the CR copy, stamped GDT form, and a company letter signed and stamped by the authorised signatory. Check that the signatory has current authority.

If the vehicle classification changes

Get the relevant authority approval before attending. The official service gives the example of Ministry of Transportation approval for a taxi classification change or transfer within that classification.

What both parties should keep

• The buyer's new ownership certificate.
• The insurance confirmation in the buyer's name.
• The payment receipt and any appointment reference.
• A dated sale receipt or contract between the parties.

The buyer should then check the registration expiry and follow the Bahrain vehicle registration renewal guide when renewal becomes due. If inspection is required, use the Bahrain vehicle inspection checklist.

Frequently asked questions

Can I transfer a car with expired registration?

The official ownership-transfer condition says the registration must be valid. Renew or resolve the registration before the transfer.

Can I transfer a financed car?

Only after the finance restriction is cleared and the financing authority issues its clearance certificate.

Do seller and buyer both need to attend?

The official route calls for both to attend and sign before GDT. It permits signature comparison in some non-attendance cases, but GDT retains the right to reject an unverifiable request.

Is the transfer fee BHD 100?

No. BHD 100 appears on the separate service for ownership or resale of a vehicle registration number. The vehicle ownership transfer page lists BHD 16.