Answers Hub
Car Rental in Dubai — Every Question Answered
The twelve questions renters actually ask, answered in one line each. Every figure comes from our published rental terms, not from an estimate.
Twelve questions people actually ask before renting a car in Dubai, each answered in one line, each linking to the page that shows the whole rule with the figures.
Every number below comes from our published rental terms — the same terms you sign at handover. Where we have never published a figure we say so instead of guessing.
Before you book
| Question | The short answer |
|---|---|
| What is the minimum age to rent a car in Dubai? | 22 for economy and mid-range cars, 25 for luxury and sports cars, with a licence held at least one year. |
| What documents do I need to rent a car in Dubai? | Residents: Emirates ID and UAE licence. Tourists: passport, home licence and an International Driving Permit where your licence is not directly accepted. |
| Can I rent with a driving licence under 6 months old? | Yes — full insurance/CDW becomes compulsory and a 25% surcharge applies. |
| Do I need a credit card to rent a car in Dubai? | Yes. A credit card pre-authorisation is compulsory; cash deposits are not accepted. The hold is released within 21 days of return. |
Money
| Question | The short answer |
|---|---|
| What deposit is held, and what comes out of it? | A card pre-authorisation. Traffic fines (at cost + AED 50 admin), Salik (at cost + AED 1 per crossing), damage and the AED 500 smoking penalty are the only deductions. |
| Is Salik included in car rental in Dubai? | On self-drive, no — billed at cost plus AED 1 admin per crossing. On chauffeur and airport transfers it is inside the fixed fare. |
| Is leasing or renting better in Dubai? | Renting for anything under a few months; a monthly contract once you need the car past roughly a month, because it is uncapped on mileage and far cheaper per day. |
Driving the car
| Question | The short answer |
|---|---|
| Is there a mileage limit? | 250 km per day on daily and weekly rentals, averaged across the booking. Monthly contracts are unlimited. |
| Can I take a rental car off-road or into the desert? | No. Off-road, desert driving, drifting and racing are strictly prohibited, 4x4s included, and off-road damage is not insured. |
If something goes wrong
| Question | The short answer |
|---|---|
| What does the insurance actually cover? | Comprehensive cover is in every rate. Without CDW the excess is AED 1,500 standard and AED 10,000 exotic; CDW at 25% of the rental removes it. |
| What do I do if I have an accident? | Get a police report — it is mandatory for any accident or damage, and no claim is settled without one. Then call us before arranging recovery. |
With a driver
| Question | The short answer |
|---|---|
| Can I get a 7-seater with a driver in Dubai? | Yes — several 7-plus-seat cars run with a chauffeur, from AED 90 per hour with a 10-hour full day. |
The rental terms behind these answers
| Term | What applies |
|---|---|
| Weekly rate | Quoted in writing before delivery |
| Mileage cap | 250 km/day · unlimited on monthly contracts |
| Cash deposit | None |
| Card pre-authorisation hold | Quoted in writing before delivery |
| Insurance excess without CDW | Quoted in writing before delivery |
| Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) | 25% of the rental — removes the excess |
| Hold released | Within 21 days of return |
| Doorstep delivery | AED 50 flat, anywhere in mainland Dubai (up to 80 km) |
| Collection | AED 50 flat, same basis as delivery |
| Minimum rental | 2 days |
| VAT | 5% UAE VAT on top of all figures |
Questions people ask us
What is the minimum age to rent a car in Dubai?+
22 for economy and mid-range cars, 25 for luxury and sports cars, with a licence held at least one year.
What documents do I need to rent a car in Dubai?+
Residents: Emirates ID and UAE licence. Tourists: passport, home licence and an International Driving Permit where your licence is not directly accepted.
Can I rent with a driving licence under 6 months old?+
Yes — full insurance/CDW becomes compulsory and a 25% surcharge applies.
Do I need a credit card to rent a car in Dubai?+
Yes. A credit card pre-authorisation is compulsory; cash deposits are not accepted. The hold is released within 21 days of return.
What deposit is held, and what comes out of it?+
A card pre-authorisation. Traffic fines (at cost + AED 50 admin), Salik (at cost + AED 1 per crossing), damage and the AED 500 smoking penalty are the only deductions.
Is Salik included in car rental in Dubai?+
On self-drive, no — billed at cost plus AED 1 admin per crossing. On chauffeur and airport transfers it is inside the fixed fare.
Is leasing or renting better in Dubai?+
Renting for anything under a few months; a monthly contract once you need the car past roughly a month, because it is uncapped on mileage and far cheaper per day.
Is there a mileage limit?+
250 km per day on daily and weekly rentals, averaged across the booking. Monthly contracts are unlimited.
Can I take a rental car off-road or into the desert?+
No. Off-road, desert driving, drifting and racing are strictly prohibited, 4x4s included, and off-road damage is not insured.
What does the insurance actually cover?+
Comprehensive cover is in every rate. Without CDW the excess is AED 1,500 standard and AED 10,000 exotic; CDW at 25% of the rental removes it.
What do I do if I have an accident?+
Get a police report — it is mandatory for any accident or damage, and no claim is settled without one. Then call us before arranging recovery.
Can I get a 7-seater with a driver in Dubai?+
Yes — several 7-plus-seat cars run with a chauffeur, from AED 90 per hour with a 10-hour full day.
Ask us before you book
Tell us where, when and how many people. You get one fixed fare in writing.
Fares agreed before pickup · Salik and fuel included · 24/7 · +5% VAT