Everything a visitor needs to rent a car in Dubai โ licence and IDP rules, documents, deposits, Salik tolls, parking, speed cameras and the mistakes that cost tourists money.
Dubai is a driving city: wide, well-signed roads, cheap fuel, and attractions spread from the Marina to the desert. Renting a car is often cheaper than a week of taxis for a family โ if you know the rules. This guide covers everything a tourist needs in 2026.
Can I drive in Dubai on my home licence?
Visitors from the GCC, USA, Canada, UK, Ireland, EU countries, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, South Africa, Turkey, China and a number of other countries can drive on their national licence. Visitors from other countries need an International Driving Permit (IDP) issued in their home country plus the original licence. Your licence must be at least one year old, and most companies require drivers to be 21+ (25+ for luxury cars).
Documents the rental company will ask for
- Passport
- UAE visa or entry stamp
- Home driving licence (and IDP if required)
- Credit card in the driver's name for the deposit
What it costs
| Category | Typical daily rate (AED) | Deposit (AED) |
|---|---|---|
| Economy (Picanto, Mirage) | 60 โ 110 | 1,000 โ 1,500 |
| Compact sedan (Yaris, Accent) | 90 โ 140 | 1,000 โ 1,500 |
| Mid-size / SUV (Corolla, Creta) | 120 โ 220 | 1,500 โ 2,500 |
| 7-seater (Fortuner, Staria) | 200 โ 450 | 2,000 โ 3,000 |
| Luxury (E-Class, Range Rover) | 500 โ 1,500 | 5,000 + |
Weekly and monthly rates are much cheaper per day. Compare live prices from verified companies on Rento Line and contact them directly โ there is no booking fee.
Deposits โ how they work
The deposit is a pre-authorisation on your credit card, not a charge. It is released 14โ30 days after return, once any Salik tolls and traffic fines have been matched to your rental. Debit cards and cash deposits are accepted by some companies for economy cars; ask first.
Driving rules tourists get wrong
- Speed cameras are everywhere. Dubai allows a small buffer above the posted limit; Abu Dhabi does not. Fines start at AED 300 and are charged to you plus an admin fee.
- Salik tolls โ automatic gates on Sheikh Zayed Road and other routes charge AED 4โ6 per crossing. Nothing to do at the gate; it is billed after your rental.
- Parking is paid in most areas (AED 2โ4 per hour) via the RTA app or SMS; malls are free for the first few hours. Fines for unpaid parking are AED 150+.
- Zero tolerance for alcohol โ any amount is a criminal offence.
- Phones โ hands-free only.
- Seat belts for every passenger, and child seats for under-4s.
Insurance
Basic (third-party plus collision damage) insurance is included with an excess of AED 1,000โ3,000. A zero-excess add-on costs AED 25โ60 per day on economy cars and is worth it on a first visit. Check whether the policy covers other emirates and Oman if you plan to leave Dubai.
Pick-up options
Many companies deliver the car to your hotel or to Dubai Airport (DXB) for free or a small fee, and collect it at the end. This saves the taxi and the counter queue.
Step-by-step: renting through Rento Line
- Browse cars in Dubai and filter by price, seats or brand.
- Open a listing to see the company's reviews, phone and WhatsApp.
- Message or call the company for free to confirm price, deposit and delivery.
- Agree the details directly โ Rento Line adds no commission.
- Inspect the car and photograph any existing scratches before you drive off.
FAQ
Do I need an International Driving Permit in Dubai?
Only if your country is not on the exempt list. US, UK, EU, GCC, Australian and Canadian licences do not need one.
Can I rent a car in Dubai at 21?
Yes for economy and mid-size cars. Luxury and sports cars usually require 25+.
How much is fuel in Dubai?
Roughly AED 2.5โ3.2 per litre in 2026, revised monthly.
Can I drive to Abu Dhabi or Oman?
Other emirates: yes. Oman: only with the company's permission and extra insurance.
Browse cars on Rento Line โ Every listing shows the company's real phone and WhatsApp, and you can call for free from any country. No commission, no booking fee.
Related on Rento Line
- Browse all rental cars โ verified companies across UAE & Syria.
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