Renting a Car in Dubai: The Complete Tourist Guide

Dubai is built for driving. Wide, well-signposted highways, inexpensive fuel, and attractions spread across the city and beyond make a rental car the most flexible way to explore. Here is everything a visitor needs to know before picking up the keys.

What you need to rent

• A passport and a valid visit visa or entry stamp.
• Your home-country driving licence. Tourists from many countries also need an International Driving Permit (IDP) — see our full UAE driving licence guide.
• A credit card in the main driver's name for the security deposit.
• Most providers set a minimum age of 21 to 25 depending on the car class.

Deposits and payment

Rental companies place a refundable hold on your card to cover fuel, tolls, and any damage. Economy cars carry a lower deposit; luxury cars and large SUVs are higher. The hold is released once the car is returned in the agreed condition.

Insurance

Every rental includes basic cover, but the excess — the amount you pay if something goes wrong — varies between providers. You can usually reduce or remove it with an optional package. Read our guide to UAE rental insurance so there are no surprises at the counter.

Salik tolls

Dubai's toll gates use an electronic tag called Salik. Most rentals come with a tag already fitted and pass the charges on to you. Here is how Salik works for rental cars.

Driving etiquette

• Drive on the right; keep the left lane for overtaking only.
• Speed limits are strictly enforced by camera, usually with a small buffer.
• Using a handheld phone while driving is a finable offence.
• Parking in the city is mostly paid — look for the RTA parking signs and pay by app or machine.

Ready to go? Browse our rental fleet by category, or see every city we cover on the locations hub.