Documents to Rent a Car in Dubai
Residents: Emirates ID and a UAE driving licence. Tourists: passport with entry stamp, UAE visa page, and an approved-country licence or an International Driving Permit. Everyone: a payment card in the driver's own name.
Two lists, depending on who you are. Residents need an Emirates ID and a UAE driving licence. Tourists need a passport with the entry stamp, the UAE visa page, and either a licence from an approved country or an International Driving Permit alongside their home licence.
Everyone needs a payment card in the driver's own name — the security hold is a pre-authorisation on that card, and we do not take a cash deposit.
Documents to rent a car in Dubai
| Who you are | What you need | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| UAE resident | Emirates ID + valid UAE driving licence | Both must be in date at pickup. |
| Tourist / visitor | Passport with entry stamp, UAE visa page, and either an approved-country licence or an International Driving Permit (IDP) | Bring the IDP alongside your home licence, not instead of it. |
| GCC national | GCC driving licence + ID | Treated the same as a UAE licence. |
| Everyone | A payment card in the driver's own name | Used for the refundable pre-authorisation — no cash deposit is taken. |
You also need to meet the age rule: 22 for standard cars, 25 for luxury and sports cars, with a licence held at least 1 year.
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 documents do I need to rent a car in Dubai as a tourist?+
Do I need an International Driving Permit in Dubai?+
What do UAE residents need?+
Do I need to bring a printed visa page?+
Can someone else pay for my rental?+
How old do I have to be?+
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