Good to Know Information
About Driving a Rented Car in Dubai

Nothing is as exciting or fun as driving around Dubai in a fancy car rental of your choice. There are many attractions and amenities that are best enjoyed in the comfort of a rented car. It also goes without saying that riding in the lap of luxury beats running around under the hot desert sun.

It is essential to follow the rules when driving in Dubai to avoid accidents and traffic violations:

• Remember to keep a safe distance from the car in front of you
• Never overtake dangerously
• Don’t use your phone to text or call while driving
• Don’t drive on the hard shoulder of the road
• Always wear a seatbelt while driving

Those who disobey the road laws in Dubai can face severe consequences, such as imprisonment or deportation.

Yes, women are allowed to drive a rented car in Dubai. But that’s not all; women also can take a women-only taxi if they so desire.

Yes, tourists and foreign citizens can drive a rented car in Dubai.

If you are a tourist or foreign citizen who wants to drive a rented car in Dubai, you only need a valid international driving license.

If you are from any of the following nations, your driver’s license is considered valid in Dubai:

• Austria
• Australia
• Bahrain
• Belgium
• Canada (Quebec)
• China
• Denmark
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Greece
• Hungary
• Hong Kong
• Ireland
• Italy
• Japan
• Kuwait
• Latvia
• Lithuania
• Luxembourg
• Netherlands (Holland)
• New Zealand
• Norway
• Oman
• Poland
• Portugal
• Qatar
• Romania
• Saudi Arabia
• Serbia
• Singapore
• Slovakia
• South Africa
• South Korea
• Spain
• Sweden
• Switzerland
• Turkey
• United Kingdom (UK)
• United States of America (USA)

In Dubai, the steering wheel is located on the left-hand side of the car, but vehicles drive on the right-hand side of the road.

The driving speed limit in Dubai is different depending on the classification and size of the road, just like in most other countries in the world. For residential roads, the speed limit is usually between 25-40 km/h ( 15-25 mph).

Dubai also has some of the highest speed limits in the world, making it a dream destination for supercar rentals. For instance, both the Sheikh Zayed (E11) and Abu Dhabi-Al Ain (E22) highways have speed limits of up to 100 km/h (62 mph).

Licenses

– To apply for a driver’s license, you must have a Residence Visa
– Only those entering the UAE on a Visit Visa or those holding a driver’s license issued by a GCC country can rent a vehicle in Dubai

– In the UAE, vehicles are driven on the right side of the road.
– It is illegal to drive over the hard shoulder of the road
– It is also illegal to speak on a mobile phone while driving; get a “hands-free” accessory for your phone if you absolutely must use it
– It is against the law to turn right at a red light
– There are many roundabouts in Dubai. Try to stay on the inside lane when turning left and always signal
– Seatbelts (including rear seatbelts) in cars and buses are mandatory and should be worn at all times.
– Children under 10 years old are not allowed to sit in the front seat
– Watch out for speed bumps. They are usually indicated in yellow and can be surprisingly high
– A police officer will rarely stop you for speeding, but keep in mind that there are many hidden radar cameras
– For fines incurred in Dubai, visit www.dxbtraffic.gov.ae
– For fines incurred in Abu Dhabi, visit www.adpolice.gov.ae

Accidents

– Call the police and do not leave the scene if you are ever involved in an accident
– Make sure you have your registration card and driver’s license ready
– When the police arrive, they will determine who is at fault, so cooperate and answer their questions truthfully
– You will be given a pink form if you are determined to be at fault or a green form if you are determined not to be at fault
– A garage cannot repair accident damage without this form, so make sure to keep it safe