It is very easy and inexpensive to rent a car in Dubai. International car rental companies like Avis, Budget, Hertz, Europcar, Sixt, Alamo are available in the UAE, and local car hire companies as well. This comprehensive article provides insights into the pros and cons of renting a car in Dubai. Additionally, it covers the essential driving rules and regulations in the city, helping travelers to navigate the roads safely and responsibly. Whether you are a seasoned driver or a first-time visitor, this article equips you with valuable knowledge to enhance your Dubai travel experience.
CONTENTS
To hire a car in Dubai you have to follow 5 easy steps:
- Ensure you have your International Driving Permit as it is mandatory for driving a car in Dubai;
- To rent a car, the driver must be at least 25 years old and have a driving experience of over 1 year;
- Choose a trustworthy car rental company;
- Book a car in advance online;
- Pick up your car keys upon arrival and enjoy exploring the city 😉
In Dubai you can find a dozen largest independent car rental providers, offering a wide range of premium quality vehicles at the lowest reasonable rates. Basically you would be paying less and receiving more value while dealing with a trustworthy companies.
🚗 Step-by-step tutorial on how to rent a car in Dubai in advance
Renting a car with online car hire websites offer you lowest possible prices, greatest rental service and newest up to date model vehicles in Dubai. You can find a variety of cars in every location in Dubai, just by making a reservation. After that your rental car will be delivered directly to your location immediately. Whether you are at Dubai airport or elsewhere in the city, car providers are there for you.
Local companies always have the fit car hire solutions for your mobility needs. Dubai car rental process is easy and fast way to book a vehicle, and it offers you greatest updated deals everyday.
Please note that credit card deposits are always held for 30 days.
🚥 How I booked a car in Dubai:
1️⃣ The online services for booking a car can save your time and money. Usually I prefer Localrent.com or Economybookings.com. However, for those seeking a unique experience, RentalCars.com is worth exploring, as it provides a wide selection of luxury cars available for rent in Dubai.
2️⃣ Select the most convenient rental car location or just choose “MY LOCATION” for your delivery. All companies usually deliver vehicles at any adress you wish to pick-up throughout the UAE. So you can either receive your rental car in Dubai city at your location anywhere or arrivals of all the terminals at Dubai Airport.
3️⃣ Once you decide the pick-up location, next step will be drop-off location in the reservation system. You can choose an airport drop-off locations in all departures or anywhere in the city just by choosing the option “MY LOCATION” from the list of drop-off locations through the car rental reservation system.
4️⃣ After locations, please provide your pick-up date and time connected to your return date and time for your car rental in Dubai in order to let staff be on time for your schedule.
5️⃣ From comprehensive selection of top brands and models of Dubai rent a car options, please choose the best fit car for your needs. If you need extra equipments like baby and child safety seats, navigation tool, extra luggage tool for your Dubai car hire, add them easily from the Additional Services module and finalize your rent a car Dubai service just by clicking on “BOOK” button.
Please keep in mind that if you are coming to Dubai from overseas, you will be asked a copy of your passport and international driving permit with your driving license issued in your country.
🛡️ Types of auto insurance in Dubai
Every rental car includes Third Party Liability (TPL) insurance, which means that if an accident is caused by someone other than the renter, the insurance company covers all expenses. However, if the renter is at fault, they are responsible for all damages.
In essence, this insurance type carries the risk of additional expenses for tourists. Therefore, it is advisable to consider purchasing full coverage insurance or, at the very least, SuperCDW insurance that covers all damages above deductibles, including glass, lamps, and wheels. The cost typically starts from $10 US per day, varying based on the car.
Extra costs for another types of insurance:
- Theft protection – from $20 US;
- Personal accident insurance – from $40 US;
- Unlimited mileage – from $80 US.
“The insurance policy excludes coverage for intentional damages to the car and severe violations of traffic rules (such as crossing a double solid line, running a red light, driving under the influence, etc.), which may cause damage to the vehicle.
Usually, the deductible equals the deposit amount. This implies that in case of an accident, the deposit will be forfeited regardless of the insurance type. However, in cases of substantial damage, having full coverage insurance can help avoid significant expenses.
⛽ About petrol stations and gas prices in Dubai
The most popular gas stations in the Arab Emirates are “Emarat”, “ADNOC” and “Enoc”. However, we had no problem filling up at other gas stations as well. The quality of gasoline is excellent everywhere, and the prices are the similar.
There are a lot of gas stations along the roads, so you can find petrol at any time. I always put a full tank of gas.
The cost of gasoline in the UAE
It is widely known that the United Arab Emirates is an oil-rich region. That’s why gasoline is more affordable here compared to Europe or the USA. The cheapest gasoline is Special 95, it costs from AED 3,55 (~$0,95 US). A liter of Super 98 costs AED 3.66 (~$1 US). And the most expensive is Diesel at AED 4.08 (~$1.1 US).
In our expirience, the gas prices are the same in Fujairah, Dubai, Ajman and other emirates, so there is no big difference where to fill up.
Tipping and self-service terminals
Some petrol stations may charge a fee of AED 10 (~$3 US) for the services of a gas station attendant. Usually these gas stations are marked as a Premium.
If you don’t want to overpay or want to save money, then use the Self-Service system. But usually Emirati people don’t like to go out in the heat for the saving of a few dollars. So, as a rule, this service is available from midnight to 6 AM only, when it’s not so hot outside.
⚠️ Traffic rules and fines in Dubai
Traffic signs in the country are typical, there is no problem with understanding them. Navigation in the city is smart, all information is duplicated in English. However, you should be careful at difficult crossroads and change lanes before the turn. There are a lot of lanes on wide roads, so you may miss the right turn and it takes a long time to go back.
Paid highways in Dubai
Toll roads are marked with “Toll Gate” or “Salik” signs. We pay 4 AED per pass, but no more than 16 AED per day. There are no any barriers on the toll road. The cameras recognize vehicle registration plate, and after that the fee is automatically charged from the deposit.
Toll gates work only on weekdays from 7 AM till 9 AM and from 5 PM till 7 PM. Don’t forget that weekends in the UAE are Friday and Saturday. While Sunday is a working day.
Parking
Parking in Dubai is allowed only in authorized places. You will always find a free parking lot near shopping malls. But in the city to find a parking is not so easy.
Especially difficult to get parking lots in Deira, Bur Dubai, Dubai Marina and JBR. Before renting a car you need to decide where you want to park the car for the night. I think the best way is to book a hotel with free parking. There is a good list of hotels with parking on Booking.com.
Speed limits
There are general speed rules in Dubai:
- 40 km/h on minor streets,
- 60-90 km/h on main roads,
- 100-120 km/h on highways.
But in practice, I advise to be guided by the signs. It is forbidden to drive faster and slower than the limit in the Arab Emirates.
Traffic jam in Dubai
Dubai, like any other huge metropolis, is not immune to traffic jams. During morning and evening rush hours, numerous roads linking the city center with its suburbs experience heavy traffic. Moreover, significant shopping malls may experience 10-15 minute waiting times for entry and exit due to high visitor volumes.
💸 Driving fines in Dubai
The UAE police strictly punish both locals and tourists for speeding or illegal parking. The amount of fines can be depressing: for example, for speeding by 20 km/h the penalty is 300 AED (~$82). The minimum fine for wrong parking is 200 AED (~$55).
List of speeding fines:
- 400 AED ($110 US) for speeding up to 10 km/h;
- 300-500 AED ($82-$136 US) for exceeding 20 km/h;
- 600 AED ($163 US) for speeding up to 30 km/h;
- 700 AED ($191 US) for exceeding 40 km/h;
- 800-1000 AED ($218-$272 US) for exceeding 50 km/h;
- 900-1500 AED ($245-$408 US) for exceeding up to 60 km/h, and a car confiscation is possible;
- 1000-2000 AED (272-545$ US) for exceeding more than 60 km/h, confiscation is possible;
- 3000 AED ($817 US) for driving more than 80 km/h, possible confiscation and license revocation;
- 200-400 AED ($54-$109 US) for driving slower than the posted speed limit.
And here is a list of penalties for other violations::
- AED 100-400 ($27-109 US) for driving with headlights off at night;
- 200-800 AED ($54-$218 US) for smoking, eating, throwing trash out the car window and using mobile phones while driving;
- 200-800 AED ($54-$218 US) you need to pay if you don’t pass special vehicles as fire trucks, ambulances, police, etc.
- 400 AED ($109 US) – for unfastened seat belts (to all passengers!);
- 400 AED ($109 US) for no child seat for a kid under 4 years, and for sitting children under 10 years (or less than 145cm tall) in the front seat;
- 500 AED ($136 US) you have to pay if you don’t pass a pedestrian at a crossing;
- 500 AED ($136 US) for violations at traffic circles;
- 500-1000 AED ($136-$272 US) for stopping on the highway without a serious reason;
- 800-1,000 AED ($218-272 US) for driving a red light.
Police punish drunk drivers with arrest, license suspension, and confiscation of vehicle.
How to pay a fine
You can pay the fine on the official website of the traffic police at www.dubaipolice.gov.ae.
However, you can do it only with a local credit card (cards of foreign banks are not accepted). Therefore, car rental companies are usually responsible for paying the fines. The money for payment is withdrawn from the deposit.
⛔ What to do after a car accident
If you are involved in an accident, call the traffic police on 999 immediately. Until they arrive, don’t move your car, even if it is blocking the road. Also you must call the rental company on telephone number that you can find in the voucher.
Without a police report the insurance will not be valid, so you will have to pay for the damage yourself. If the car is driven away before the police arrive, then policemen will refuse to make a report or will write down other facts about the incident.
As a final point, although renting a car in Dubai has its own rules and specifics, this process is still quite fast and simple. As in other countries, you need to be careful while driving in the UAE. Drive safely!
😉 Pin it for future Dubai travel planning!
