Used and retreaded tyres in the UAE: what is banned
The UAE banned selling used car tyres in 2012 and limits retreads to buses and trucks. What the rules say, how old they are, and why used tyres still sell.
- Independent · sells nothing
- Published 23 October 2026
- 7 sources, checked 23 October 2026
- 5 min read
Short answer
- Since September 2012, selling a tyre that has been removed from a vehicle has been banned in the UAE, whatever its condition. Export is allowed.
- Retreaded tyres are allowed only on buses and trucks, made by approved UAE retreaders. Importing retreads is banned.
- Gulf News reported retreads have a two-year life and carry a yellow patch.
- Used tyres were still openly sold in Sharjah at AED 50 to 150 each, according to a Gulf News report last updated in 2018.
- These rules date from 2012. We found no newer published version, so treat details as possibly out of date.
In this guide (9 sections)
- Are used tyres legal in the UAE?
- Are retreaded tyres allowed on cars?
- How to tell if a tyre is a retread
- Why are used tyres still sold in Sharjah?
- Worked example: the real cost of a cheap used tyre
- Can a worn or punctured tyre be repaired instead?
- What police say about used tyres
- What happens to tyres when they come off your car?
- What to check before you act
Selling used car tyres has been banned in the UAE since September 2012. The rule covers any tyre that has been removed from a vehicle, whatever its condition, although used tyres may be exported. Retreaded tyres are allowed only on buses and trucks, and only from approved UAE retreaders. Importing retreads is banned.
These rules were set by ESMA, the Emirates Authority for Standardisation and Metrology, in 2012. Most of what is published about them comes from news reports of that period, some now showing a 2018 update date. We found no newer public version of the rules, so check with the relevant authority if a detail matters to you.
uaetyre.com is an independent guide. We are not affiliated with any government authority, tyre brand or retailer, and we don't sell tyres. This is general information, not legal advice.
Are used tyres legal in the UAE?
No, not for sale and use on local roads. Here is what the main reports say.
| Rule | What was reported | Source and date |
|---|---|---|
| Part-worn car and motorcycle tyres banned | From September 2012, for all vehicles and motorcycles except heavy-duty trucks | Tyrepress, 19 Mar 2012 |
| Sale of removed tyres | Banned regardless of condition; export allowed | Gulf News (page updated Sep 2018) |
| Moving tyres between cars | A tyre used on one car cannot be used on another | Gulf News, "Safety norms" (page updated Sep 2018) |
| Used tyre imports | Banned; a Gulf News report said an import ban was scheduled from Sept 2013 | Gulf News (both reports) |
| What happens to used tyres | Must go to approved agencies for recycling | Gulf News, "Safety norms" |
When ESMA announced the ban in March 2012, Tyrepress reported that the World Trade Organisation had already approved the move. The regulator also said it would not allow tyres to be used beyond their five-year life. For more on that limit, see our guide to the 5-year rule.
Are retreaded tyres allowed on cars?
No. Retreading puts new tread on an old casing. Under the 2012 rules:
- Retreads may be used only on buses and trucks.
- They must be made by one of the approved retreaders in the UAE. Tyrepress put the number at 25 facilities making about 60,000 tyres a year in 2012.
- Only casings with no damage to the main structure can be retreaded.
- Importing retreaded tyres is banned. Tyrepress said that ban had already been in place for two years by 2012. Export is allowed.
- Retreads have a two-year lifespan from their date of manufacture and carry a yellow patch, according to Gulf News.
- Retreads must carry certificates that meet UAE standards and show where they were made.
For comparison, about eight million tyres were imported into the UAE in the year before the ban, according to Tyrepress.
How to tell if a tyre is a retread
The yellow patch is the marker named in the Gulf News report. The tyre identification number is another clue: under US federal rules (49 CFR 574.5), a new tyre's identification number has 13 symbols, while a retread's has 7, and the retreader marks an "R" on the sidewall. Those are US rules, so treat this as a clue, not a UAE test. If you are offered a car tyre with a yellow patch or any sign of retreading, the 2012 rules say it should not be on a car.
Why are used tyres still sold in Sharjah?
A Gulf News report, last updated in September 2018, found hundreds of shops in Sharjah's industrial area selling used tyres locally and for export. A few workshops in Dubai were doing the same. Prices reported:
| Where | Used tyre price reported |
|---|---|
| Sharjah industrial area | AED 50 to 150 per tyre, by size and age |
| Dubai workshops | AED 100 to 200 per tyre |
Some traders told the newspaper they did not know about the restriction. One admitted he did, and others said Sharjah authorities had never stopped them. ESMA's director-general at the time said market enforcement falls to local governments together with the Ministry of Interior, while ESMA works with ports and customs to approve tyres entering the country.
That report is several years old. We have not seen a newer survey, so we cannot say whether the market looks the same today.
Worked example: the real cost of a cheap used tyre
Say you are offered a used 205/55 R16 for AED 100 in Sharjah. On 23 October 2026, three UAE online retailers listed new tyres in that size from about AED 202 fitted. See our October 2026 price snapshot.
The used tyre looks AED 100 cheaper. But consider:
- You cannot know how it was driven, stored or repaired.
- It may already be near or past five years from manufacture, at which point the car fails the RTA test in Dubai.
- Driving on worn or expired tyres has been reported as carrying a AED 500 fine, four black points and a seven-day impoundment. See UAE tyre fines.
Can a worn or punctured tyre be repaired instead?
Sometimes, but the 2012 rules set limits. As reported by Gulf News, tyres that exceed the puncture limit or the tread-wear limit may not be repaired. The same rules set these minimum tread depths:
| Vehicle type | Minimum tread depth |
|---|---|
| Light vehicles (cars) | 1.6 mm |
| Medium-sized vehicles | 2.4 mm |
| Buses and heavy trucks | 3.2 mm |
| Motorbikes | 0.8 mm |
A tyre below those depths is due for replacement, not resale. The rules also said shops must store tyres below 25°C and not stack them, so it is worth asking how any tyre was kept, even one sold as new. A repair by a reputable fitter on your own tyre is a different matter from buying someone else's used tyre.
What police say about used tyres
Sharjah Police, as reported by Khaleej Times in May 2025, urged drivers to use approved, good-quality tyres and to avoid fake or used ones, especially in summer. They listed causes of blowouts that include wrong pressure, overloading, speed beyond a tyre's rating and earlier misuse such as driving on rough terrain. A used tyre's history is unknown, so any of those may already have affected it.
What happens to tyres when they come off your car?
In Dubai, the traders who collect used tyres are regulated. Dubai Municipality's technical guideline for used-tyre waste trading (version 1.0, August 2024) says collected tyres must be sorted at source into those suitable for retreading, those for other uses, and waste. Traders need a permit, approved vehicles and covered trucks, and must report monthly. So a car tyre may legally end up as a truck retread casing or as recycled material, but not back on another car. Our guide to disposing of old tyres covers your options.
What to check before you act
- Buy new tyres from a licensed seller and keep the invoice.
- Check the date code on each tyre before it is fitted.
- Refuse any car tyre with a yellow retread patch.
- Leave old tyres with the fitter or a licensed collector, not for resale.
- Treat 2012-era rule details as possibly out of date and confirm with the relevant authority if unsure.
Questions people ask
Is it legal to buy used tyres in the UAE?
Selling tyres that have been removed from a vehicle has been banned since September 2012 under rules from ESMA, as reported by Gulf News and Tyrepress. Export of used tyres is allowed, but local sale is not.
Can I put retreaded tyres on my car in the UAE?
No. Under the 2012 rules, retreads may be used only on buses and trucks, and only if made by one of the approved retreaders in the UAE. Part-worn car and motorcycle tyres were banned.
How long do retreaded tyres last under UAE rules?
Gulf News reported that retreaded tyres have a two-year lifespan from their date of manufacture and carry a yellow patch. New tyres are treated as expiring five years after manufacture.
Why are used tyres still sold in Sharjah?
A Gulf News report found hundreds of shops in Sharjah's industrial area selling used tyres for local use and export. Some traders said they did not know about the rule, and others said they had never been stopped.
Can I move my own tyres from one car to another?
The 2012 rules, as reported by Gulf News, say a tyre used on one car cannot be used on another. If you are unsure about a specific case, ask the traffic authority in your emirate.
General information only, not legal or mechanical advice. Rules, fines and prices change; check with the RTA, your local police or a qualified fitter before you act. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.
Sources
- Part-worn car tyres to be banned in UAE (Tyrepress, Mar 2012)checked 23 October 2026
- Used tyres openly sold in Sharjah despite ban (Gulf News)checked 23 October 2026
- What the law says on tyres (Gulf News)checked 23 October 2026
- Safety norms for tyres to be tightened in UAE (Gulf News)checked 23 October 2026
- UAE police warn of tyre blowout risks as summer temperatures rise (Khaleej Times, May 2025)checked 23 October 2026
- 49 CFR 574.5 Tire identification requirements (Cornell LII)checked 23 October 2026
- Technical guidelines on used tires waste trading activity (Dubai Municipality, Aug 2024)checked 23 October 2026