Private firms given more powers to test vehicles

Colonel Ahmed Hamdan bin Dalmouk, head of the General Directorate for Electronic Services, said a fully-integrated system had been devised for the renewal of car ownership. The move is aimed at upgrading services to the public and creating a more competitive environment for companies after all companies pledged to abide by the rules and regulations set by police.

"Companies have been given the necessary incentives to provide quality services and achieve customer satisfaction," he stressed. Col. Dalmouk said he held a meeting with the representatives of companies that provide the technical test services to the motoring public and of an electronic service company, I-Soft, which arranged the new software.

The meeting was attended by traffic police officers as well as from his department. "We want to strengthen our relations with the public as well as with the companies that provide the services," said Col. Dalmouk.

He explained that the new system incorporated the registration of new cars, renewal of registration, vehicle ownership transfers, vehicle export (to other emirates or other countries) and inquiries on and payment of traffic fines.

He said the services would be provided through the so-called VPN technology, giving certificates to ensure security online of network and data.