“Do I need to get an international driving license to be able to rent a car in Dubai?”. It’s one of the most common questions that foreigners ask when booking trips to this vibrant city. In this article, we’ll talk about the documents that you should prepare to sign a car rental contract in Dubai.

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The Need for an International Driving License

To rent a car in Dubai, you might or might not need to have an international driving license. It all depends on the country where you got your national driving license. For instance, if you got it in Egypt, Palestine, Iraq or Mauritania, you don’t need to have an international document. It would be reasonable to consult with your rental company in advance about it.

Apart from the driving license, foreigners need to show their passports with a valid entry visa to the UAE. If two drivers will be sharing a car, both have to provide these documents. It’s impossible to add more than one additional driver to the rental contract.
If you live in UAE, you’ll be required to provide three documents to rent an auto: a valid driving license, a residential permit and a proof of address.

The Minimum Required Age for Renting a Car

If you’re 18 years old and have a driving license, you might be able to drive a car in your home country but you won’t be allowed to rent one in Dubai. To be allowed to sign a rental contract here, you need to be aged at least 21. Individuals who’re younger than 30 should have driving experience of at least 3 years. If two people are planning to share a car, this rule is valid for both drivers.

The Rules of Providing and Getting Back the Deposit

The amount of the deposit depends on the type of car you rent and the duration of the rental contract. The sum of the deposit will serve as the insurance. All the rented cars need to be insured in Dubai. If you give the car back to the rental company in perfect condition, without tickets and fines, you’ll receive the full amount of your deposit back. If the vehicle is damaged, the cost of the repairs will be extended from your deposit.

If you become a victim of an accident, you should immediately call the police and the rental company. As the authorities confirm that you’re not to be blamed, you can expect the insurance to cover the damage.

If you discover any technical issues when driving the car, reach out to the rental company. Enter their website, click the Contact Us button and make or phone call or submit a text message. They will send a mechanic to you at any time of the day and will take the auto to the garage if needed.

Besides, pay attention to the fuel policies of the rental company. Most likely, you’ll get a car with a full tank and will need to give it back with a full tank. Otherwise, the price of the fuel will be deducted from your deposit. Find out in advance which types of fuel your vehicle is compatible with. For instance, if you opt for an Infiniti for rent in Dubai, it might require a different type of fuel than a sportscar.

Final Thoughts

Hopefully, you found this article informative and now you have a better understanding of which documents you should prepare to rent a car in Dubai. You might not need an international driving license but you should provide a valid passport and make a cash deposit.