RTA NOL Card Guide
NOL Card Expiry Check – How to Check Expiry Date
Check your NOL card expiry date in minutes using nol.ae, the NOL Pay app, or a metro station TVM — and learn exactly what happens when your card expires.
What Is NOL Card Expiry & Why It Matters
Every NOL card issued by the RTA has a validity period of 5 years from the date it was issued. When this period ends, the physical card stops working at metro gates, bus readers, and tram terminals — even if it still has a balance stored on the chip. This is why doing a regular NOL card expiry check is something every Dubai resident and regular commuter should do.
The NOL card expiry date is not the same as your card balance running out. Your balance stays untouched on the chip even after the card expires. The problem is that the expired card can no longer communicate with RTA gate readers — so you cannot board any RTA transport until you either renew the physical card or get a replacement. Any stored balance transfers over to the renewed card automatically.
Checking your nol card validity takes under a minute using any of the three methods below. The most common method is via the official nol.ae portal or the NOL Pay app — both show your card details, including the exact expiry date. You can also check at any metro station TVM without needing to log in anywhere.
4 Ways to Check NOL Card Expiry Date
All methods for nol card expiry check online and offline
nol.ae Online Portal
- Go to nol.ae
- Log in to your account
- Click "My Cards"
- Select your card — expiry date shown in Card Details
NOL Pay App
- Open the NOL Pay app
- Log in with your nol.ae account
- Select your linked NOL card
- Tap "Card Info" — expiry date visible
Metro Station TVM
- Visit any Dubai Metro station
- Place NOL card on the TVM reader
- Select "Card Information"
- Expiry date displays on screen
Check Card Physically
- Flip your NOL card over
- Look for the printed date in MM/YY format
- This is your card's expiry month and year
- If worn away, use Method 1, 2, or 3
What Happens When Your NOL Card Expires?
Understanding what expiry means for your balance and travel access
Card stops working at gates
The moment your card passes its expiry date, it can no longer be read by metro turnstiles, bus readers, or tram terminals. You cannot board any RTA transport with an expired card.
Your balance is preserved
Your existing credit does not disappear on expiry. The RTA holds your balance on record. You have a 2-year window from the expiry date to renew the card and recover that balance in full.
Renew within 2 years
Take your expired card to any RTA customer service centre or metro station, or renew online via nol.ae. Your balance transfers to the new card. Renewal of the card itself is free.
After 2 years — balance is forfeited
If you do not renew within 2 years of the expiry date, the RTA will consider your card abandoned and the stored balance is forfeited permanently. There is no further recovery option after this point.
Monthly pass also expires
If your card has an active NOL monthly pass loaded on it at the time of card expiry, the pass expires along with the card. Monthly pass credit is not recoverable — only cash balance is transferred on renewal.
Don't Wait Until Your Card Stops Working
The safest approach is to check your nol card expiry date at least one month before the expiry and renew proactively. Many commuters discover their card has expired only when they are blocked at a metro gate — check yours now to avoid the inconvenience.
NOL Card Expiry vs Validity – Key Facts
Quick reference for nol card validity check and expiry rules
| Factor | Detail |
|---|---|
| Standard Card Validity | 5 years from date of issue (printed on card back) |
| What stops working on expiry | Travel — card cannot be read at any gate or reader |
| What is preserved on expiry | Cash balance stored on the chip |
| Balance recovery window | 2 years after expiry date — after that, balance is forfeited |
| Monthly pass on expired card | Not recoverable — cash balance only is transferred |
| Cost to renew expired card | Free — no fee charged for card renewal |
| Where to renew | nol.ae, NOL Pay app, RTA service centre, metro TVM |
| Registered card required | Registered card allows online renewal; unregistered requires in-person visit |
| RTA NOL card expiry check online | nol.ae portal or NOL Pay app — shows exact expiry date |
Why a Registered Card Makes Expiry Easier
An anonymous Silver NOL card requires a physical in-person visit to an RTA centre when it expires. You cannot check the expiry date online, cannot receive expiry alerts, and cannot renew remotely. A registered Personal NOL card — linked to your Emirates ID at nol.ae — removes all these friction points.
With a registered card, you can do the full nol card expiry check online from your phone, get email alerts before the expiry date, and complete the renewal process via nol.ae without visiting a service centre. The RTA also sends a notification when your card is approaching its expiry, but only if your email address is saved in your nol.ae account profile.
If you currently hold an unregistered Silver card, taking five minutes to register it online gives you a permanent record of your balance, expiry date, and transaction history. Registration is free and only requires your Emirates ID.
Related NOL Card Management Guides
Frequently Asked Questions – NOL Card Expiry
How do I check my NOL card expiry date?
There are four ways to do a nol card expiry check: (1) Log in to nol.ae → My Cards → Card Details to see the exact expiry date. (2) Open the NOL Pay app → select your card → tap Card Info. (3) Place your card on any metro station TVM and select "Card Information." (4) Check the printed MM/YY date on the back of the physical card. The nol.ae portal and NOL Pay app are the most reliable for registered card holders.
Can I check my NOL card expiry date online?
Yes. The nol card expiry check online is available through two channels: the official nol.ae portal and the NOL Pay app. Both require you to log in with your registered account. If your card is not registered, you cannot check the expiry date online — you'll need to use the metro TVM or read the printed date on the back of the card. Register your card at nol.ae to unlock online expiry checking.
How long is a NOL card valid for?
The standard nol card validity period is 5 years from the date of issue. The exact expiry date is printed in MM/YY format on the back of the card. After 5 years, the card stops working for travel but your cash balance remains preserved for up to 2 additional years, during which you can renew the card and recover it.
What happens to my balance when my NOL card expires?
Your balance is not lost on the day of expiry. The RTA preserves it on the chip and in their system. You have a 2-year grace period from the expiry date to renew your card and have the balance transferred. If you wait longer than 2 years, the balance is permanently forfeited. Cash balance transfers but active monthly passes do not — they expire with the card.
How do I renew my expired NOL card?
Registered card holders can renew online via nol.ae or through the NOL Pay app. Unregistered card holders must visit an RTA customer service centre or a major metro station in person. Bring the expired card with you. Renewal is free — no fee is charged by the RTA. Your existing balance transfers automatically to the new card after renewal.
Can I check how to check my NOL card balance expiry date at the same time?
Yes. The nol.ae portal and NOL Pay app show both your current balance and your card expiry date on the same screen under Card Details. It is good practice to check both at once — if your balance is low, top up your NOL card; if the expiry is close, plan your renewal in advance.
Do I need to register my card to check the expiry date online?
Yes — the RTA NOL card expiry check online via nol.ae or the NOL Pay app requires a registered account. If your card is anonymous (unregistered Silver card), you cannot check the expiry online. You can still check it for free at any metro TVM without logging in, or by reading the printed date on the back of the card. To enable online access, register your card at nol.ae using your Emirates ID.
Is NOL card renewal free?
Yes, nol card renewal is free of charge. The RTA does not impose a renewal fee. You simply take your expired card (or complete the process online if registered) and the card is renewed with your existing balance transferred. The renewed card starts a fresh 5-year validity period from the date of renewal.
