Can Tourists Rent a Car in the UAE?
Yes. Tourists and visitors on a visit or tourist visa can legally rent and drive a car in the UAE. The UAE is exceptionally well-suited for self-driving — modern highways, well-signed roads, GPS navigation, and an extensive network of fuel stations. Major rental hubs include Dubai International Airport, Abu Dhabi Airport, and Dubai Mall.
Important: Once you become a UAE resident (Emirates ID issued), you must obtain a UAE driving license. You can no longer legally drive on a tourist IDP as a resident.
Check Requirements by Nationality
License Required: UK Photocard License
IDP Needed? ℹ️ Recommended but not always mandatory
Rental Agency Acceptance: Most agencies accept without IDP
Tip: Bring UK license + passport. IDP recommended for hassle-free experience.
Documents Required to Rent
- 📘Valid passport with UAE entry stamp / tourist visa
- 🪪Original valid home country driving license
- 🌍International Driving Permit (IDP) — depending on nationality
- 💳Credit card in the driver's name (for security deposit, usually AED 500–3,000)
- 📸Passport-sized photo (some agencies)
- 📱UAE local phone number for rental confirmation (some agencies)
Age & Other Requirements
| Minimum age (standard car) | 21 years |
| Minimum age (luxury/SUV/sports) | 25 years (most agencies) |
| Young driver surcharge (21–24) | AED 30–80/day extra |
| Maximum age | Usually no upper limit |
| Insurance included? | TPL included; CDW optional but recommended |
| Salik tolls | Charged to your rental account or direct card |
| Traffic fines | Your responsibility — rental company passes them on |
| Fuel policy | Usually full-to-full (return full) |
Top Car Rental Companies in UAE
International Brands
Hertz UAE
Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah
AED 150–600/day
Avis UAE
All major UAE airports
AED 130–500/day
Budget UAE
Dubai & Abu Dhabi
AED 100–400/day
Sixt UAE
Dubai Airport
AED 200–800/day
Enterprise UAE
Dubai & Abu Dhabi
AED 150–600/day
UAE-Based Agencies
Shift | OneClickDrive
Dubai & online
AED 80–300/day
Thrifty UAE
Dubai Airport
AED 100–350/day
SAadaat Car Rental
Dubai
AED 80–250/day
Bayut/SouqCar Rental
Aggregator portal
AED 70–400/day
Luxury/Exotic Rentals
Dubai & Abu Dhabi
AED 800–5,000/day
FAQs
Yes. Tourists on a visit or tourist visa can legally rent and drive a car in the UAE. You need a valid passport, home country license, IDP (depending on nationality), and a credit card for deposit.
The minimum age is 21 years for standard cars. Most agencies require 25 for luxury/sports vehicles and may charge a young driver surcharge for renters aged 21–24.
Traffic fines incurred during your rental period are your personal responsibility. Rental companies will charge you for any fines registered to the vehicle during your rental, often with an additional admin fee of AED 50–200.
Rental cars have Salik tags. Each time you pass a Salik gate, the toll (AED 4–6) is charged by the rental company to your account at the end of the rental, often with a small per-pass admin fee of AED 5–10. Ask the rental company about their Salik policy before booking.
UAE MOEI Verified
• UAE Car Rental Regulations (MOEI): moei.gov.ae
• RTA Dubai Rental Services: rta.ae