Can I Hire a Car in Dubai and Drive to all the Emirates?

Can you hire a car in Dubai and travel across the seven Emirates? Yes, definitely—without a doubt. Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah, all being the UAE’s emirates, there are no restrictions for tourists and residents to travel & explore in a rental car. However, there are certain requirements to meet and rules to follow to stay compliant and trouble-free during and post-rental. This guide explores the fundamental requisites of car rental & cross-emirate driving, sharing some pro tips for a seamless experience. Go through it once, and you are all set for an unforgettable trip to the Emirates. Let’s dive in.

Requirements for Renting a Car

Let’s first take a look at the basic requirements to rent a car in Dubai. Gathering the required documentation is a great start to your wholesome adventure of the United Arab Emirates. Have these with you for a successful car rental in Dubai:

For Tourists/Visitors:

• Passport

• Valid visa

• Home Country Driver’s license

• International Driver’s Permit (IDP)—if only required. Driver’s licenses from the following countries don’t need an IDP:

• GCC Countries: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia

• Europe: Albania, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Montenegro, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Kingdom

• North America: Canada, United States

• Asia: China, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, South Korea

• Oceania: Australia, New Zealand

• Africa: South Africa

Note: Licenses from Japan, Greece, South Korea, and Turkey may require an official translation from their respective consulates.

• Any of these payment gateways: Cash (AED, USD, GBP, CHF, JPY, AUD, SAR, etc.), Credit or Debit Card, Bank Transfer, e-Wallets (Apple Pay or Google Pay).

• Minimum Age: 21 years (25 years for some luxury & sports cars—differs from one agency to another).

• Minimum License Holding Period:  At least 12 months (1 year).

For UAE Residents:

• Emirates ID

• UAE Driver’s License

• Any of these payment gateways: Cash (AED, USD, GBP, CHF, JPY, AUD, SAR, etc.), Credit or Debit Card, Bank Transfer, e-Wallets (Apple Pay or Google Pay).

• Minimum Age: 21 years (25 years for some luxury & sports cars—differs from one agency to another).

Important Note: The Above are the fundamental requirements to hire a car in Dubai (UAE). However, different agencies might have specific rental guidelines regarding document formats, security deposits, payments & renters’ ages. Do check the actual requirements with the agency you plan to rent from.

Driving Across the Emirates

We clearly have an understanding that there is no restriction on driving all over the seven Emirates with a rental car from Dubai or some other Emirate. Let’s explore some of its aspects on a deeper level, including:

• No Travel Restrictions: Neither rental agencies nor the authorities don’t restrict you from driving across the country. You are free to drive anywhere within the Emirates legally as outlined by your rental agreement and the Dubai Road and Transport Authority (RTA) regulations.

• Travel Times: You can drive across the 7 Emirates in a day, if you want to—with a proper strategy. It’s a daunting challenge to undertake. But the other Emirates are only a few hours away from Dubai. Abu Dhabi (1.5 hours), Sharjah (50 min), Ajman (40-60 min), Umm Al Quwain (1-1.5 hours), Al Ain (1.5 hours), Ras Al Khaimah (1 hour), Fujairah (1.5 hours). The E11 highway, an extremely well-maintained road, connects all Emirates.

• Tolls (Salik): There are electronic toll systems in the UAE. Dubai uses Salik (currently 10 gates) and Abu Dhabi uses Darb (4 main gates). These electronic toll gates charge you variable rates (e.g., Salik in Dubai is AED 4 or AED 6 per crossing depending on time, Darb in Abu Dhabi is AED 4 per crossing during peak hours only, with Sundays and public holidays being free), accumulated and charged upon vehicle return.

• Fuel: Fuel is affordable in the UAE (at most AED 2.9/L). Also, several fuel companies, like ENOC, EPPCO, or ADNOC stations spread across the Emirates. Selecting a fuel-economy car like the Toyota Yaris will be a great choice.

Driving Rules

While driving in the Emirates is an enthralling experience with world-class road infrastructure and very practical traffic regulations, you should clearly understand and adhere to the following fundamentals for a fine-free & road-compliant exploration.

• Speed Limits: Always drive under the posted limits. Abu Dhabi allows up to 140 km/h on highways, but sudden limit changes can be challenging. The other Emirates' speed limits are the same as in Dubai, with 40–60 km/h in urban areas, 20-30 km/h in school zones, and 100-120 km/h on highways. A range of enhanced radar cameras continuously monitor traffic and enforce the limits strictly.

• Safety: Seatbelts are mandatory for all in the UAE. Phone use while driving is a strict violation. Child seats at the back of a vehicle are mandatory in the country.

• Hazards: Watch out for animals (e.g., camels) on remote roads. Rare sandstorms and rain can obstruct your driving experience in the Emirates.

The UAE has a strict set of traffic rules and even steeper violation penalties, which are the basis of a smooth traffic flow and a seamless driving experience. For in-depth UAE driving rules, check this blog: Safe Driving Tips for First-Time Drivers in Dubai.

Rental Essentials

While we discussed the fundamental requirements of renting a car in Dubai, this section discusses the secondary aspects of car hire. You should carefully consider the following as well:

• Insurance: Rental agencies offer Third-party liability Insurance for free, as it is mandatory for driving in the UAE. You can opt for more comprehensive insurance, like Super Collision Damage Waiver (SCDW), as a financial safety net against car accidents and damage.

• Deposits: Usually, at present, Dubai car rental companies offer rentals without security deposits. High-end luxury cars, sports, and supercars might require deposits (credit card)  AED 1,000–10,000, refunded in 21–30 days after fines/damages are cleared. 

• Mileage: Typical mileage for rental cars in Dubai is 250 km/day, 450 km/week, and 1750 km/month. Mileage overage leads to extra costs and even sometimes a breach of the rental agreement. Early clarification while booking is essential.

• Vehicle Choice: Dubai offers every type of car from cheap economy cars to luxurious & exotic cars. Choose your car that meets your travel requirements. For instance, a family adventure demands 7-or 9-seater SUVs, romantic date night goes well with convertibles, or cross-emirate drives align perfectly with rugged SUVs, like the Mercedes G63.

• Booking: Reserve your rentals early for better rates and wider selections, especially in peak seasons.

Top Rental Companies

Dubai has over 3500 local and international car rental establishments, all over its landscape. These rental companies offer you every type of car to cater to your driving requirements. However, not all agencies are the same—some are better than others, in terms of rental policies, pricing structures, leniency, and fleet availability. The following are some reputed rental companies in Dubai, you can hire cars from:

• FriendsCarRental: Known for competitive local rates and flexible no-deposit options & payment in installments. Popular with residents and long-term rentals.

• Hertz: A globally recognized brand offering a wide range of well-maintained vehicles, often preferred by international travelers for reliability, though sometimes at higher price points.

• Urive: An app-based service often praised for convenience and short-term rentals.

• Europcar: Another strong international presence with a diverse fleet from economy to luxury, often competitive for online bookings.

• Sixt: Known for its premium and luxury fleet, offering a high-end rental experience with newer models.

• Phantom Rent a Car: Specializes in luxury and exotic car rentals, offering high-performance vehicles for unique experiences.

• Thrifty: A value-oriented international brand, often providing competitive rates on economy and mid-range vehicles.

Pro Tips

To make your car rental experience flawless and memorable, you’ll need to carefully consider the following pro tips. Hiring a car in Dubai and driving to all the Emirates requires some insightful decisions and proactive approaches, which include:

• Always rent from reputable and well-known agencies, whether local or international. Leverage online reviews on Google and TripAdvisor to get meaningful insight into what each company offers.

• Don’t forget to inspect the car before taking the keys and returning it back to the agency. Document both instances with clear photos and videos. The status of the car should be the same at both times, indicating no damage or scratches. It eliminates the probability of disputes regarding existing damages.

• Understand the rental agreement well before signing it. It is legally binding, so you must know what it outlines, as you cannot oppose it when things don’t go your way during or after the rental.

• Adhere to the UAE Emirates car rental rules at all times and also the UAE traffic laws to stay clear of any fines or penalties. Avoiding any form of violation is your ticket to a seamless travel experience in Dubai with a rental car.

Final Thoughts

Hiring a car in Dubai and driving all over the Emirates is possible. All Dubai car rental agencies let you do this without restriction. However, you should carefully assess and analyze their rental policies (fuel policies, late return fees, one-way rental, salik, parking, traffic fines, smoking in the car, etc.) well before rental and avoid potential disputes post-rental. Take your time, strategically implement the above pro-tips, and rent cars from reputed rental companies to secure a whole drive in all seven emirates from Dubai. Happy renting!