Dubai is a city made for driving. From stunning highways to iconic landmarks, having your own car gives you freedom to explore at your own pace.
Good news: Renting a car in Dubai as a tourist is simple, affordable, and highly recommended for most visitors.
This guide covers everything you need to know—documents, costs, driving rules, and insider tips—so you can hit the road with confidence.
Can Tourists Rent a Car in Dubai?
Yes, absolutely!
Tourists from most countries can easily rent cars in Dubai. The process is straightforward:
- Minimum age: 21 years (25 for luxury cars)
- Rental options: Daily, weekly, or monthly
- Booking: Online or on arrival
- Roads: Excellent condition with English signage
Most tourists find that renting a car is more convenient and cheaper than taxis, especially for families or stays longer than 3 days.
Documents Required
Your documentation needs depend on where you’re from.
Countries That DON’T Need an International Driving Permit:
USA, UK, Canada, Australia, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Sweden, Ireland, South Korea, Japan, Singapore, South Africa, and 30+ other countries.
Documents needed:
| Document | Required |
| Valid home country license | âś… Yes |
| Passport | âś… Yes |
| Credit card | âś… Yes |
| International Driving Permit | ❌ No |
All Other Countries:
| Document | Required |
| Original driving license | âś… Yes |
| International Driving Permit (IDP) | âś… Yes |
| Passport | âś… Yes |
| Credit card | âś… Yes |
⚠️ Important: You must get your IDP in your home country before traveling. It cannot be obtained in Dubai.
Why You Need a Credit Card
Rental companies require a credit card for a security deposit:
| Car Type | Typical Deposit |
| Economy | AED 1,000 – 1,500 |
| SUV | AED 2,000 – 3,000 |
| Luxury | AED 5,000 – 10,000 |
The deposit is blocked (not charged) and released after you return the car undamaged.
How Much Does It Cost?
Dubai offers competitive rental rates. Here’s what to expect in 2025:
Rental Prices
| Car Type | Daily Rate (AED) | Weekly Rate (AED) |
| Economy (Yaris, Sunny) | 80 – 120 | 450 – 700 |
| Sedan (Camry, Corolla) | 150 – 220 | 800 – 1,200 |
| SUV (Fortuner, Pathfinder) | 250 – 400 | 1,400 – 2,200 |
| Luxury (BMW, Mercedes) | 500 – 900 | 3,000 – 5,500 |
Additional Costs
| Item | Cost |
| Salik toll (per gate) | AED 5 |
| Fuel (per liter) | ~AED 3.20 |
| Full insurance | AED 30 – 50/day |
| Additional driver | AED 20-30/day |
| Child seat | AED 20 – 35/day |
Sample 7-Day Budget (Economy Car)
| Item | Cost (AED) |
| Weekly rental | 600 |
| Full insurance | 250 |
| Estimated tolls | 150 |
| Fuel | 200 |
| Total | ~1,200 AED ($330 USD) |
That’s about AED 170/day ($46 USD), including everything—often cheaper than 3-4 taxi rides daily.
How to Rent a Car: 5 Simple Steps
Step 1: Book Online in Advance
Booking 1-2 weeks early gets you:
- Better rates (up to 30% savings)
- More car options
- Guaranteed availability
Step 2: Prepare Your Documents
Before pickup, ensure you have:
- Valid driving license
- IDP (if required)
- Passport
- Credit card with sufficient limit
Step 3: Inspect the Car Carefully
This step is crucial:
- Walk around and check for scratches
- Take photos and videos of all sides
- Note existing damage on the form
- Check fuel level matches agreement
📸 Pro Tip: Always photograph the car with a timestamp before driving away. This protects you from false damage claims.
Step 4: Understand Your Terms
Before leaving, confirm:
- Fuel policy (full-to-full is best)
- Mileage limit (unlimited is ideal)
- Insurance coverage and excess amount
- 24/7 emergency contact number
Step 5: Return on Time
Most companies give a 1-hour grace period. After that:
- 1-3 hours late = half-day charge
- 3+ hours late = full extra day
Dubai Driving Rules You Must Know
Dubai has strict traffic laws with heavy fines. Know these basics:
Essential Rules
| Rule | Details |
| Driving side | RIGHT |
| Seatbelt | Mandatory for ALL passengers |
| Phone use | Hands-free only |
| Alcohol | ZERO tolerance |
| Speed cameras | Everywhere |
Speed Limits
| Road Type | Speed Limit |
| Residential areas | 40 km/h |
| City roads | 60 – 80 km/h |
| Main roads | 80 – 100 km/h |
| Highways | 100 – 120 km/h |
Fines to Avoid
| Violation | Fine (AED) |
| Running red light | 1,000 |
| Speeding (60+ km over limit) | 3,000 |
| Using phone while driving | 800 |
| No seatbelt | 400 |
| Tailgating | 400 |
Understanding Salik (Toll System)
- Automatic toll gates on major Dubai roads
- AED 5 charged per crossing
- Rental cars have Salik tags installed
- Charges added to your final bill
- Expect AED 20-50 daily if driving regularly
đź’ˇ Tip: Google Maps shows Salik gates on routes. You can sometimes avoid them using alternative roads.
Which Car Should You Rent?
Choose based on your needs:
| Your Situation | Best Car Choice | Daily Budget |
| Solo traveler | Nissan Sunny | AED 80-100 |
| Couple | Toyota Yaris | AED 90 – 120 |
| Small family (4) | Toyota Corolla | AED 140 – 180 |
| Large family (5-7) | Nissan Pathfinder | AED 280 – 350 |
| Desert/adventure | Toyota Land Cruiser | AED 400 – 550 |
| Business/luxury | BMW 5 Series | AED 500 – 700 |
Best Day Trips by Car
| Destination | Distance | Drive Time | Highlights |
| Abu Dhabi | 140 km | 1.5 hours | Grand Mosque, Louvre |
| Fujairah | 130 km | 2 hours | East coast beaches |
| Hatta | 130 km | 1.5 hours | Mountains, dam lake |
| Ras Al Khaimah | 100 km | 1 hour | Beaches, zipline |
âś… Most rental companies allow UAE-wide travel at no extra charge. Confirm before booking.
10 Insider Tips
- Book early—prices increase closer to date
- Choose full-to-full fuel—avoid overpriced refueling fees
- Get full insurance—worth AED 30-50/day for peace of mind
- Skip GPS rental—use Google Maps instead (free and better)
- Download RTA app—for easy parking payments
- Photograph everything—before and after rental
- Avoid rush hours—7-9 AM and 5-8 PM are the worst.
- Keep documents in the car—license, rental papers, insurance
- Save emergency numbers—police (999), rental company
- Fill fuel before return—stations near airports/offices
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Americans need an international license?
No. US licenses are accepted in Dubai without an IDP.
What’s the minimum age?
21 years for most cars. 25 for luxury vehicles.
Can I drive to Abu Dhabi?
Yes, UAE-wide travel is usually included free.
What if I get a traffic fine?
It’s charged to your credit card after rental, plus an admin fee.
Is renting a car worth it?
Yes, especially for families or stays of 3+ days.
Is driving in Dubai safe?
Yes. Roads are excellent and well-signposted in English.
Book Your Car Today
Ready to explore Dubai on your own terms?
Best Value Car-Bus Dubai offers:
- âś… Cars starting from AED 80/day
- âś… Airport pickup and hotel delivery
- âś… Transparent pricing, no hidden fees
- âś… 24/7 customer support
- âś… Easy online booking
