Classic cars in Dubai will soon get new licence plates inspired by the ones common in the emirate in the 1980s.
The new plates will be issued from November, said the emirate’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).
Requests for the plates can be made through RTA’s website and Customer Happiness Centre in Deira.
In a marked change from the current brown plates, the new ones will be yellow and white, and have been designed to align with Dubai’s standard vehicle plates.
“With the new design, the plates can be clearly and easily read from a distance,” said Mattar Al Tayer, director general of RTA.
“The design has two distinct elements — the words Dubai and Classic are written in both Arabic and English on a yellow background while the number is written on a white background.
“The new design meets all the required technical standards. The plates have a touch of luxury and feature innovative digital printing. Moreover, they are not affected by different climate conditions.”
Dubai follows international specifications tailored to classic cars, with these standards taking into account safety belts, type of fuel and type of brakes.
To qualify, a vehicle must be more than 30 years old and meet technical testing requirements.
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Launched: 2014
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How tumultuous protests grew
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- An estimated two dozen people lost eyes and many others were admitted to hospital
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What is Folia?
Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed bin Talal's new plant-based menu will launch at Four Seasons hotels in Dubai this November. A desire to cater to people looking for clean, healthy meals beyond green salad is what inspired Prince Khaled and American celebrity chef Matthew Kenney to create Folia. The word means "from the leaves" in Latin, and the exclusive menu offers fine plant-based cuisine across Four Seasons properties in Los Angeles, Bahrain and, soon, Dubai.
Kenney specialises in vegan cuisine and is the founder of Plant Food Wine and 20 other restaurants worldwide. "I’ve always appreciated Matthew’s work," says the Saudi royal. "He has a singular culinary talent and his approach to plant-based dining is prescient and unrivalled. I was a fan of his long before we established our professional relationship."
Folia first launched at The Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills in July 2018. It is available at the poolside Cabana Restaurant and for in-room dining across the property, as well as in its private event space. The food is vibrant and colourful, full of fresh dishes such as the hearts of palm ceviche with California fruit, vegetables and edible flowers; green hearb tacos filled with roasted squash and king oyster barbacoa; and a savoury coconut cream pie with macadamia crust.
In March 2019, the Folia menu reached Gulf shores, as it was introduced at the Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay, where it is served at the Bay View Lounge. Next, on Tuesday, November 1 – also known as World Vegan Day – it will come to the UAE, to the Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach and the Four Seasons DIFC, both properties Prince Khaled has spent "considerable time at and love".
There are also plans to take Folia to several more locations throughout the Middle East and Europe.
While health-conscious diners will be attracted to the concept, Prince Khaled is careful to stress Folia is "not meant for a specific subset of customers. It is meant for everyone who wants a culinary experience without the negative impact that eating out so often comes with."
