Before you step right into glamour, power, and speed in the opulent city of Dubai, with your rented sleek Ferrari or shiny Lamborghini, a few boxes need to be ticked off in terms of documentation.
While it may sound rather confusing, learning exactly what you might need, to put an elite car behind the wheel, can save a great deal of time, which may feel like a bit of a headache.
We have broken down, in this guide, the essential documents and requirements for luxury car rentals in Dubai with some helpful added insights along the way.
Passport
First things first, your passport is a must. While visiting Dubai as a tourist, your passport will help identify you and your nationality.
When you arrive at the car rental office, you will be required to show your passport so that they can validate that you qualify to take away the rented car in the country. Whether you zip down Sheikh Zayed Road or venture into the desert, your passport has to be intact, no torn pages, please!
Some car rental companies may request a photocopy of your passport as well, so consider keeping a spare just in case. It’s just fun showing off all the traveling you have been doing in your fancy car!
Driving License
Now, let’s get to the serious stuff: your driving license. Do not start your journey with a Useless and expired license in your pocket.
For example, if you’re visiting from a country that has an agreement with the UAE, like the UK, US, and most of the EU countries, you will generally be able to use your foreign driving license for any short-term car rentals.
So, do read the fine print carefully and make sure your driving privileges are current before you book that luxury ride.
If you’re planning a long stay, some car rental agencies may ask for a UAE-issued driving license.
If you are in Dubai, then some rules go a bit as far as needing a valid UAE driving license before renting a car that a temporary license or one near its expiration date won’t do.
Visa or Entry Stamp
The first check for legal status in Dubai is going to be a valid visa or an entry stamp. Now, this is not very complicated for a tourist.
All you have to do is carry the entry stamp in your passport when you arrive in the UAE. However, the situation becomes somewhat easier for a resident – the residence visa would be considered the government’s official proof of your status within the country.
Most rental agencies don’t require you to send a copy in advance, but they would surely like to know you’re entering the country legally as well, so bringing it with you may make this process a little bit smoother.
International Driving Permit (IDP)
Now, here’s a little bit of confusing news for most travelers: do you need an International Driving Permit in Dubai? If your license is in English or any other universally known language, such as French or Spanish, and you come from an approved country, you do not need an IDP.
However, if your license isn’t written in Latin alphabet (such as Chinese, Arabic, or Cyrillic), then you do need to have an IDP.
An IDP translates your license into several languages, making easier verification of your driving credentials for authorities or rental agencies. You can always request one before your trip for peace of mind and it may come in handy with future travel plans.
Credit Card
Luxury cars in Dubai don’t come cheap, and rental companies will want to make sure you’re financially capable of handling the cost.
That’s where your credit card comes into play. Rental agencies typically require a valid credit card in the driver’s name to cover the cost of the rental, as well as a security deposit.
Most importantly, it should have sufficient credits to pay for the rental charges as well as any other surcharge or penalty that may be incurred during the rental period.
So, do not rely on your debit card or a prepaid card for this. Instead, opt for a credit card that will give you substantial available credit if any emergency situation comes up.
Minimum Age
It’s not only on documentation but also on age requirements. Any car rental customer in Dubai, for example, should be at least 21 years old to rent a luxurious car. However, some firms set this limit to 25, especially for expensive vehicles such as sports cars or SUVs.
Younger drivers, who are under 25 years old, would be charged extra, called the young driver surcharge, on top of the rental charge.
Why? Just statistically speaking, the likelihood of younger drivers getting into accidents is high. And so, if you belong to this age group, then you might have to pay a little extra for it.
Security Deposit
A security deposit is another essential requirement when renting a luxury car in Dubai. This deposit acts as a safety net for the rental company in case of damages or late returns.
The amount can vary widely depending on the car’s model but expect to pay anywhere from AED 2,000 to AED 10,000 or more for high-end vehicles.
Don’t worry- this deposit is refundable, provided the car is returned in the same condition it was rented. So, no scratch marks on that Ferrari, please!
Insurance
Dubai car rental agreement will include the car rental insurance, which you will have to sign. Most luxury car rentals in the market provide you with basic car insurance as part of the service package, though comprehensive insurance will be regarded as included if you need full coverage.
Comprehensive insurance includes a wide range of things, such as accidents, theft, and more serious third-party damages.
You will likely have to pay for the majority of the costs of repairs if you do not get insurance. So, adding to your costs of renting is usually worth it- the more expensive or performance-oriented the vehicle, the better.
Emirates ID (for UAE Residents)
If you are a citizen of the UAE, then you would need to present an Emirates ID. This is your national ID card document proving residency, as well as your entitlement to drive a car in the UAE.
Together with it, a valid driving license of the UAE is needed. This is the minimum package of documents for residents.
If you’re a newcomer in the country, you would be unable to rent a car until you have completed your ID registration process and obtained an Emirates ID.
Conclusion
Thrilling as it might be to hit Dubai’s roads in a rented luxury car, this does require some little preparation.
Make sure you have all your documents ready, including your passport, valid driver’s license, and credit card.
With the proper paperwork in place, you won’t face any surprises at the rental desk, whether you’re planning to visit the Burj Khalifa or drive through the desert dunes.
Before you hire your Ferrari or Rolls Royce, confirm with the agency whether you meet the specific requirements or not. You should check beforehand so you are not left scrambling for missing documents when you get there.
FAQs
Which countries’ driving licenses are valid for renting a car in Dubai?
Driving licenses from the aforementioned countries are accepted when renting a car in Dubai. Dubai accepts most European, American, and Asian driving licenses. If yours is in English or any other language that is widely recognized, you should be fine. However, if it is in a non-Latin alphabet, such as Arabic or Chinese, you’ll probably need an International Driving Permit (IDP).
Do you need an international license to rent a car in Dubai?
Not necessarily. If your driving license is in English or another widely accepted language, it may be sufficient. However, if your license is in a non-Latin script (e.g., Chinese, Japanese, Russian), you’ll likely need an International Driving Permit (IDP) to rent a car in Dubai.
Can I rent a car in Dubai without an Emirates ID?
Yes, you can rent a car there even without an Emirates ID. If you are a non-resident, that is, a tourist, you don’t need an Emirates ID. You just need to carry your driving license and the visa/entry stamp on your passport. If you are a resident, then you will need an Emirates ID.
Do I need rental car insurance in Dubai?
While basic insurance is usually included in the rental price, it would be wise to take comprehensive insurance. This will protect you even when you unintentionally damage your vehicle, get it stolen, or get into an accident. You will avoid possible out-of-pocket expenses.
