Permit support
Reviews describe clear, efficient help with business submissions and an outside permit after an initially incomplete process.
Roads and Transport Authority - RTA Headquarter
Al Garhoud
RTA Headquarter is a Dubai government office in Al Garhoud handling transport, roads and traffic services. Visitors use it for business submissions and permits, while reviews also highlight fast help with lost belongings and roadside incidents through RTA teams.
Reputation Score
3.9
★★★★☆
505 ratings
Source: Google Maps
The Good Stuff
Lost property
Lost taxi belongings were located quickly in several cases, including one backpack returned within 30 minutes.
Roadside response
RTA’s TIMU helped move a stranded car safely off E311, then arranged a recovery vehicle and towing.
Fast visits
One headquarters visitor reported completing their service quickly, while another found the building clean and well organized.
Complaint action
A bus shelter complaint about air conditioning and the timing display was resolved by the following day.
Phone help
The 24/7 call centre was praised for answering questions and resolving issues at any time.
Tips for a Better Visit
Allow time. If you have a meeting, allow extra time for entry registration and signing; one visitor said it took quite a lot of time.
Plan parking. If driving, arrive with time to look for a space; outside parking is limited and valet can fill up quickly.
Check requirements. For permits, confirm the required documents and steps before visiting, since one reviewer needed three visits to complete an outside permit.
Use the hotline. For questions or unresolved issues, try the 24/7 call centre rather than waiting for an in-person visit.
Keep details. For a lost taxi item, keep the taxi number, driver name, colour, receipt, pickup point and destination if possible.
Language option. One visitor felt the interaction went more smoothly when speaking Arabic, though this is a personal review tip rather than a stated policy.
Plan the visit
Practical details
Street, Dubai Cooperative Society Building - 5 Marrakech St - next to Emirates Metro Station
Al Garhoud, Dubai
| Mon | 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM |
| Tue | 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM |
| Wed | 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM |
| Thu | 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM |
| Fri | 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM |
| Sat | Closed |
| Sun | Closed |
Common Concerns
Transport delays
Reviews report long delays, overcrowded buses and unreliable intercity timings, including a two-hour E303 journey into Dubai.
NOL delays
Online NOL top-ups have reportedly been charged immediately but stayed pending for up to four hours.
Mixed support
Some customers report unhelpful service, poor communication and wrong information when trying to resolve an issue.
Bus cleanliness
One review specifically criticizes the cleanliness and maintenance of RTA buses.
Limited parking
Parking outside the headquarters can be difficult, with visitors sometimes needing private paid parking instead.
Customer-reported prices
These are customer-reported mentions, not a current price list. Prices may have changed.
AED 152
taxi journey
“We paid AED 152 for this journey, a fare clearly inflated by the numerous detours caused by her repeated errors”Google review · July 2025
DXB
LOCAL
LOCAL
The Bottom Line
RTA Headquarter in Al Garhoud is where visitors handle government transport and road-related services, including business submissions, approvals and permits. Reviews describe officers as professional and supportive, and one visitor completed an outside permit after receiving step-by-step help. The headquarters itself is also described as clean, modern and well maintained.
The wider RTA service network is useful when a problem happens on the move. Lost-and-found cases involving taxi bags and backpacks were resolved quickly, while the Traffic Incidents Management Unit helped a stranded driver move a broken-down car off Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road before arranging recovery. The 800 90 90 call centre is another well-reviewed route for questions and complaints.
There are practical cautions. Parking outside the building is limited, valet spaces can fill quickly, and signing in for a meeting may take time, so arriving early is sensible. Service experiences are uneven: reviews mention wrong information from customer service, unreliable or overcrowded buses, dirty buses and delays to online NOL top-ups.
If you are visiting for a permit, check the requirements in advance; one customer needed three visits before completing the process. For public-transport problems, keep screenshots, receipts and journey details when making a complaint.