Top 15 Things to know when renting a car in Dubai: Comprehensive Guide 2023

This process can be completed with minimal fees, as listed below:

• Opening a new file: AED 200
• Issuing a license: AED 600
• Handbook manual: AED 50
• Knowledge and innovation fee: AED 20

5. How much does it cost to rent a car in Dubai? Which car is best for me?

Although there are slight seasonal variations, the cost of renting a car in Dubai starts from AED 69 per day for a basic hatchback. Because it is a year-round tourist hub, the rates are quite competitive, and many companies offer cheaper weekly and monthly plans.

However, more significant variations in pricing can occur depending on the type of car most suited to your needs. Follow our handy guide to determining which car is right for your needs.

1. Economy cars

Compact and budget-friendly basic sedans or hatchbacks, economy cars are the best option for you while staying within city limits. Perfect for independent city explorers, economy cars can usually comfortably accommodate four people and a moderate amount of luggage. These cars also have the additional advantage of consuming less fuel, making them the greenest and cheapest car option available.

• Daily rates: AED 69 to AED 500
• Weekly rates: AED 450 to AED 2800
• Monthly rates: AED 1380 to AED 4450

2. SUVs and minivans

If you plan on getting away from the city, an SUV or a minivan is the better choice for you. SUVs have the additional advantage of being perfect for adventurers looking to drive into the desert to enjoy a bit of off-roading. However, both have the luxury of being able to comfortably accommodate up to 7 people and a large amount of luggage, making it perfect for large families or groups going on long road trips.

• Daily rates: AED 120 to AED 1045
• Weekly rates: AED 800 to AED 3000
• Monthly rates: AED 2000 to AED 6000

3. Luxury and sports cars

The UAE's well-known love for fast and expensive cars gives renters the unique opportunity to rent luxury and sports cars that would put a Fast and Furious movie to shame. If you fancy driving a Maserati or a Ferrari for a trip, these Luxury cars are available to rent at relatively reasonable prices.

• Daily rates: AED 600 to AED 3500
• Weekly rates: AED 12000 to AED 24000

6. Will car insurance cover my rented car in the UAE?

Yes! UAE law requires car rental companies to provide you with third party liability insurance inclusive of the rental price. Some additional insurances you could get on top of that include:

• Loss Damage Waiver, which will ensure you are covered if your rental car is stolen or damaged.
• Personal Effects Cover, which will cover you if your personal belongings are stolen from your rental car.
• Personal Accident Insurance, which will ensure that your medical costs are covered in case you get into a road accident in your rented car

Several rental companies offer even more insurance options throughout the rental process. You could also check with your bank at home to see if they provide rental car insurances abroad- you could save quite a bit of money if this option is available to you.

7. What if I can't drive? Could I rent a car with a driver in Dubai?

Renting a car with a driver in the UAE is a great way to get around, and rates are quite competitive, given the high demand for the service. It is even the recommended option for trips to busier tourist sites, as you won't have to bother with the hassle of finding parking.

Given the UAE's diverse nature, chauffeurs in Dubai are multilingual, giving them a professional edge over many of their international counterparts. Being able to communicate with your driver easily means that you could find out about a few spots on the way to your destination that may not exist on most tourist itineraries.

Chauffeured rides are also more straightforward in cost calculation as the prices include both petrol and road tolls, with any extra charges levied on inter-city transfers being clearly stated. There is also the factor of allowing a local to navigate a new city's roads, which provides you with extra safety from fines or road accidents.

As per UAE law, only certain cars can be provided with a chauffeur and are technically classified as 'limos', even though they don't necessarily have to be of the stereotypical stretch limo variety. Like a Toyota Camry, economy cars cannot come with a chauffeur, so most chauffeured cars are either SUVs, people carriers or luxury models like the Lexus ES350 or the Mercedes Sprinter.

• Daily rate: Starting from AED 600
• Airport transfers: Starting from AED 200

8. Do I have to pay road tolls if I rent a car in Dubai?

To maintain and expand their excellent road infrastructure, the cities in the UAE do levy tolls using a series of electronic gates.

Every time you go through a toll, you will be automatically charged AED 4 using the Salik tag attached to your windscreen. The rental company places a deposit on your credit card from which the total sum of tolls you incur will be deducted, with the rest being returned to you when you return the vehicle.

9. How much do I have to pay as a security deposit when I rent a car in Dubai?

As is the industry practice worldwide, you will need to pay a security deposit before you can drive off in your rented car. Although this amount can vary greatly depending on your rental company and the vehicle you're renting, the deposit for a basic sedan is usually around AED 900. If you don't have a chauffeur, any road tolls or fines you incur will be deducted from this deposit, with the remainder being returned to you.

Most companies accept the amount via cash or credit card authorization and will not accept cheques. If you don't have a credit card or don't wish to use it abroad, most companies can give you the option to set up a wire transfer to your bank to refund your cash deposit. Given a choice, though, it is always wiser to pay the deposit using your credit card, not cash, as you can get your money back faster and more hassle-free.

10. When will I get my security deposit back?

Rental car companies often block the deposit amount on your credit card. Since traffic fines sometimes generate several days after the incident is recorded by the Roads and Transport Authority, companies block the deposit amount on a credit card as a safety net for fines incurred on their leased cars while you rented them.

Road tolls and vehicle damages are also recorded a few days by the rental company to be paid by the driver. If there are no fines or deductibles, the blocked amount is released within 14-20 days.

11. How do I pay for my rental car?

Most rental car companies accept all major credit cards, debit cards and cash. Cheques are not usually taken.

12. What are the driving rules in the UAE?

You will be driving on the right side of the road and passing on the left, as is the norm in many countries. This might be something you need to be more aware of if you come from a country that drives on the left, such as Australia or the UK.

Speed limits are always clearly signalled and posted and are generally the same across the country.

If you are travelling with small children between 4 and 8 years old, the law requires that they sit in a child car seat in the back. Most car rental companies will provide these car seats at a small additional cost if you don't have your own. Also, note that children under the age of 13 are not allowed to sit in a car's front seat.

The UAE has a zero-tolerance policy towards drinking and driving, requiring drivers to have a blood alcohol content of zero at all times. Driving under the influence will result in hefty fines up to AED 30,000, license suspension, jail time and even deportation.

All cars on the road need to be registered and fully insured, so make sure your rental company provides you with all the necessary paperwork in case you are required to show them.

13. What fines should I watch out for in the UAE? What is the 'black points' system?

To ensure safety, the Road and Transport Authority strictly enforces the road rules using a system of fines and black points.

The black points system in the UAE applies to foreign license and UAE license. These black points are assigned to a driver's license when they violate specific traffic laws- accruing a total of 24 black points will result in you facing your license being revoked or being banned from driving any vehicles for a year.

As mentioned before, any fines you incur are taken out of your security deposit by your rental agency. Offences that you can be penalized for are listed below:

14. Do I have to pay for my fuel if I rent a car? How does fuel cost in the UAE?

Although you will be provided with a full tank at pick-up, the standard practise among car rental companies in the UAE means that you will have to pay for additional top-ups and cover fuel expenses.

However, gas is pretty cheap in the UAE, so don't let gas prices deter you. As of March 1st, 2021, the cost of petrol in the UAE stands at AED2.12 per litre for Super98; AED1.91 for Special 95, and AED2.15 for diesel. Make sure to confirm what type of fuel is best for your rental car with your agency.

15. How much does parking cost?

Parking in Dubai is usually divided into two kinds- mall/private parking and public parking.

Being a major attraction in the UAE, Malls usually have paid private parking spaces, which vary significantly in price. Usually, malls allow you to park for around 3-4 hours before charging a parking fee of around AED 20. Many malls around the country also offer free parking on Fridays, Saturdays and public holidays.

The public parking system varies from city to city and zone to zone in the UAE, but in general, the prices are AED 2 per hour, AED 5 for two hours, AED 8 for three hours and AED 10 for 24 hours. You can park for free on Fridays and public holidays, and people with disabilities can always park for free.

Check here for a full guide on parking zones and rates in the UAE:

There are many ways to pay for parking in Dubai:

1. Coins: You can buy your ticket using coins at meters located nearby.
2. Pre-paid parking cards: These are available in AED 30 and AED 100 denominations at most supermarkets and grocery stores. The ticket amount will be deducted from the card's balance when inserted into its slot on the parking meter.
3. Seasonal parking cards: Seasonal parking cards are available in different values and periods of validity. Cards fall into A, B and T categories and are available in three-month, six-month and annually.
4. mParking: Send an SMS to 7275 in the following format: number plate-space-area code-number of hours. You can opt for hourly alerts for renewing your parking tickets at an extra charge of 30 fils per SMS. Refer guide on Dubai parking sms for more detailed information.
5. Nol Card: This deductible card can be purchased from metro stations and loaded with a minimum amount of AED 10.
6. UAE Government Transportation Apps

Learn more about how you can pay for parking here.
To ensure safety, there are also six major parking violations with fines put in place. These are:

1. Parking illegally- AED 500
2. Parking in loading and unloading areas: AED 200
3. Parking on the left-hand shoulder of the road is prohibited areas- AED 1000
4. Parking without securing your vehicle- AED 500
5. Parking behind cars and blocking their movement- AED 500
6. Parking in front of a fire hydrant or spaces allocated for ambulances or people with special needs- AED 1000