Can I Drive Someone Else’s Car in the UAE?

Are you wondering if you can drive someone else’s car in the UAE? Yes, you can drive someone else’s car in the UAE, but there are crucial UAE driving laws for non-owners that you must adhere to for compliance and a hassle-free experience. This blog explores the legalities of driving your friend’s car Dubai, elaborating on UAE car insurance rules, special rules for tourists, violation penalties, and insightful tips to avoid fines or legal issues. Let’s get started.

Understanding the Legal Requirements

Can You Legally Drive Someone Else’s Car in the UAE?

Per Article 447, UAE’s Federal Law No. 31 of 2021, any valid license holder can drive someone else’s car with explicit permission from the car owner. UAE traffic laws clearly state that driving without owner permission UAE leads to a fine of AED 10,000 and/or up to 1 year imprisonment. 

UAE driving licence rules mandate the resident driver to have a valid UAE driving license and international driver’s permit (IDP) for most tourists. While tourists whose home country licenses are valid in the UAE don’t require an IDP. Insurance requirements are equally important (discussed in the next section). These two aspects are the foundations of legally driving someone else’s car in Dubai or some other emirates.

Insurance Coverage for Driving Another Person’s Car

Does Insurance Cover You When Driving Someone Else’s Car?

Insurance coverage for driving someone else's car entirely depends on the vehicle owner’s specific insurance policy. While legally permitted to drive with owner's consent, it's crucial to understand the insurance implications. Many comprehensive UAE car insurance policies extend coverage to any licensed driver with the owner's explicit permission. However, there are significant conditions to be aware of:

• Age Restrictions & Excesses: Drivers under 25 years old typically incur a higher young driver excess (often an additional 10% on top of the standard policy excess) in the event of an accident. Some policies may even require drivers under a certain age to be specifically named.

• License Holding Period: Many insurance providers prefer or require drivers to have held their license for a minimum period: one year. Policies can cover drivers with less experience, but this too leads to higher excesses.

• Policy Specifics for High-Value Cars: For high-value supercars or luxury vehicles, most vehicle insurance policies often have more restrictive clauses. This limited coverage only extends to drivers explicitly named on the policy.

This UAE vehicle insurance coverage is also the reason why Dubai car rental agencies have strict rental rules for 25 years or less for certain vehicle categories: sports cars, supercars, and high-end luxury vehicles.

Special Rules for Tourists

Can Tourists Drive Someone Else’s Car in the UAE?

Yes, tourists can absolutely drive a friend’s or relative’s car in the UAE. However, they must hold a driving license valid in the Emirates or possess a valid International Driver’s Permit (IDP) along with their original national driving license. The same UAE car insurance rules and age/experience conditions (as explained in the previous section) apply to tourists driving a private vehicle in the UAE.

However, a crucial distinction exists for rental cars UAE: tourists cannot drive a rental car unless they are explicitly named as an authorized driver in the rental agreement. Per UAE rental car rules, only individuals officially listed by the rental agency can legally operate the vehicle.

Driving a rental car in Dubai without this legal permission is a serious violation of the agreement. This will lead to significant legal issues, especially in the event of an accident where insurance coverage may be voided..

Financial Responsibilities and Traffic Violations

Who Pays for Fines and Violations?

Per the UAE traffic rules, the vehicle owner is liable for all the fines and violations as the Emirates’ smart road & traffic management recognizes number plates rather than drivers. Any traffic violation, penalties, smart parking fees, tolls (e.g., Salik in Dubai or DARB in Abu Dhabi), etc, automatically tie to the license plate, making the vehicle owner primarily responsible.

However, the UAE’s different governmental portals (like TAAM, MOI UAE) allow transfer of black points to consenting drivers to save car owners in such cases, where someone else is driving their car. Regardless, the UAE authorities see the car owner responsible for all the monetary fines and any violation penalties.

Practical Tips for Driving Someone Else’s Car

How to Drive Someone Else’s Car Safely and Legally?

With a comprehensive understanding of legal requirements, insurance coverage, tourist-specific rules, and legalities of traffic violations, take a look at some insightful tips on how to drive someone else’s car safely and legally in the Emirates.

• Always obtain written permission from the owner to avoid disputes. This document must include the owner's name, your name, the vehicle's details (make, model, plate number), and the period for which you are authorized to drive.

• Verify insurance coverage with the provider, especially for high-value vehicles. Ensure that you understand any excesses or specific named driver clauses.

• Always familiarize yourself with UAE traffic laws and speed limits, as all violations are tied to the vehicle's registration, making the owner ultimately responsible for fines.

• While tourists can drive private cars with proper documentation and owner's permission, renting a car from an authorized agency often simplifies insurance and compliance, especially if you are not related to the owner.

These four basic yet crucial tips will help you drive your friend’s or relative’s car safely and legally on the UAE’s smart road networks.

FAQs

Can I drive my friend’s car in Dubai without a UAE licence?

If you’re a UAE resident, NO, you must have a valid UAE driving license to drive any car in Dubai, including a friend's. However, if you are a tourist, YES, you can drive a friend's car without a UAE license but with their permission if your home country license is valid in the UAE or if you have a valid International Driver's Permit (IDP) along with your original license.

What happens if I get a fine while driving someone else’s car?

If you get a fine while driving someone else’s car in the UAE, the authorities hold the owner responsible for all penalties as these entities are typically tied to the vehicle's number plate. You can help the owner clear the fines and take black points on your license, assuming the responsibility for violations.

Can tourists drive private cars in the UAE?

Yes, tourists can drive private cars in the UAE with proper documents and owner’s explicit permission.

How do I check if I’m covered by the car owner’s insurance?

The most reliable way to check if you're covered is to directly contact the car owner's insurance provider. You'll need the policy number and vehicle details. Inquire specifically about their policy's terms for additional drivers, including any age restrictions, minimum license holding periods, or if you need to be a named driver, especially for high-value vehicles.

Conclusion

Driving someone else’s car in Dubai or other Emirates is a seamless process when you meet the specific requirements, like owner permission, driving license validity, and insurance competence. Never drive in the UAE if you cannot meet the legalities of the UAE traffic laws, as this can lead to serious legal issues, especially when in accidents. Make sure you follow this article's major learnings while driving someone else's car in the UAE. Stay compliant, insightful, and clear of all the stress with ride-hailing apps or public transports if you’re not legally allowed to drive in the UAE.