Why Nol Expiry Matters
Every Nol card issued by Dubai’s RTA has a fixed validity period. Knowing your card's expiry date is critical to avoiding delays at Metro gates, bus validators, or parking meters.
An expired card cannot be recharged, and while the balance might remain safe, the physical chip stops communicating with readers once the date passes.
Validity by Card Type
Silver, Gold & Blue Cards
5 Years from Issue
Standard smart cards designed for long-term residents and frequent travelers.
Red Ticket (Paper)
90 Days or 10 Trips
Short-term paper ticket for tourists and single-journey users.
How to Check Expiry Online
RTA Website (rta.ae)
Go to 'Nol Services', enter your 10-digit Tag ID from the back of the card, and submit to view all card details.
Nol Pay App (NFC)
Tap your card against your smartphone. The app reads the chip instantly and displays the exact expiration date.
Offline Check Methods
No internet? You can check your validity at any physical RTA service point across the city.
Metro TVMs
Ticket Machines
Parking Meters
Street Payment
Ticket Counters
Staff Assistance
What Happens After Expiry?
Once the card expires, the following rules apply:
- • No Recharges: All top-up channels will block transactions for this card ID.
- • Gate Rejection: Metro gates and bus validators will show an 'Invalid' or 'Expired' error.
- • Balance Use: Remaining credit may still be usable at select retail locations (like Zoom) until it's empty.
- • Recovery: Only registered cards allow for balance transfer to a new card.
How to Renew or Replace
The process depends on your card type. Personal cards can be renewed, while anonymous cards must be swapped.
Personal (Blue)
Log in to the RTA Portal or app, pay the AED 70 renewal fee, and a new card with your transferred balance will be delivered to you.
Silver & Gold
Buy a new physical card for AED 25 at any station, then request a 'Balance Transfer' from your old card via the RTA website.