Renting a car in Dubai is one of the most common questions travelers ask when planning a trip to the UAE. Between ultra-modern highways, iconic desert landscapes, and cities spread across long distances, driving seems like the perfect solution.
And sometimes it is.
But Dubai isn’t like the rest of the world. The UAE has very strict driving laws, heavy fines, frequent road checks, and a system where unresolved penalties can even result in a travel ban—meaning the car rental company can stop you from leaving the country until everything is settled.
As a DMC with years of experience handling thousands of passengers, Alturis has learned this the hard way. We’ve seen clients lose their deposit, get unexpected fines, face disputes with rental agencies, or even be held at the airport because a car rental problem wasn’t resolved.
This article gathers everything you need to know before renting a car in Dubai or Abu Dhabi, including:
Pros & cons
Common scams
Strict UAE driving laws
Examples of fines foreigners often receive
Real DMC warnings based on past cases
Detailed FAQs including:
Do I need an international license? Can I rent a car with a US or UK license? Can you rent a car under 21? Should I rent or use Uber?
Let’s dive in.
✔ The Pros of Renting a Car in Dubai
1. Total Flexibility
Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah—everything is far. Renting a car means:
You follow your own schedule
You explore off-the-path areas (mountains, beaches, desert lakes, Abu Dhabi landmarks)
You avoid waiting for taxis or metro connections
For families or groups, this flexibility is extremely valuable.
2. Comfort, Especially in the Heat
A private car means:
AC always available (essential in UAE heat)
Easy storage for bags, strollers, snacks
No crowds
This is particularly useful for seniors and children.
3. Cost-Effective for Groups
For 3–5 travelers, renting a car can be cheaper than:
Multiple taxi rides
Organized tours, but you don’t have tour guide ;)
Long-distance Uber trips
4. Perfect for Business Trips
For business travelers, a rental car means:
Professional image
Efficiency between meetings
Freedom to move across business districts (often far apart)
✘ The Cons of Renting a Car in the UAE (Where Problems Really Start)
This is the part most blogs don’t tell you.
But as a DMC working daily with travelers, we see the real risks.
1. Deposits Are Often Not Returned
Many rental companies:
Take a high security deposit (AED 1,000–3,500)
Hold it for 14 to 45 days
Deduct money for “small scratches”, “cleaning fees”, “processing charges”
Do not refund once you leave the UAE
Once a client leaves the country, there is no real recourse.
2. Heavy Fines & Traffic Rules You Don't Know
The UAE has very strict driving laws, especially in Abu Dhabi.
You can get fined for:
Driving too slowly on the highway
Driving in the wrong lane
Not giving priority
Sudden lane changes
Parking incorrectly
Driving with dirty plates
Tailgating
Using your phone even for gps ( 900 aed fine, and – 4 points, i got one ! ) (extremely strict).
| Violation | Approx. Fine (AED) |
|---|---|
| Driving too slowly on a fast lane | 400 AED |
| Using the wrong lane / lane discipline | 400–600 AED |
| Overtaking incorrectly | 600 AED |
| Sudden lane change | 1,000 AED |
| Not giving priority | 400 AED |
| Speeding | 300–3,000 AED |
| Not paying Salik (toll gate) | Added to rental bill |
These fines can appear days after you returned the car—and rental companies will charge your deposit.
3. Travel Ban Risk
Yes, it’s real.
If there is:
A police case
An unpaid fine
A rental contract dispute
…the rental company can block your exit at the airport until it’s resolved.
Alturis has seen this happen.
This is why we do not rent cars for our clients anymore—the legal responsibility falls on the agency.
4. Traffic Jams (Especially on Peak Dates)
During holidays and long weekends, traffic can be extremely dense..
5. Parking Problems
Finding parking at:
Marina
JBR
Downtown
La Mer
Old Dubai
…can be a challenge.
Parking fines are also very common.
Scams Tourists Commonly Face in the UAE Car Rental Industry
Not all companies are bad—but many small local agencies survive on “extra charges”.
Here’s what we’ve seen:
1. Scratches Scam
When you return the car:
They find “new scratches”
They charge 200–800 AED minimum
No way to prove anything if you didn’t film the car thoroughly before renting
2. Deposit Never Returned
As soon as you leave the UAE:
Cards can’t be disputed easily
Police complaints are useless abroad
3. Fuel Level Scam
Even if you return with the same fuel level:
They claim it’s lower
Charge inflated “refueling fees”
4. Insurance Confusion
Most people believe they have “full insurance”.
But many agencies exclude:
scratches
sand damage
tire damage
windshield cracks
accidents without police report
So Should You Rent a Car in Dubai?
For many travelers: yes, it can be amazing.
For others: it can become a nightmare.
This is why we recommends:
If you want to rent a car → Do it yourself with large, international brands:
Never through unknown Instagram agencies or cheap “local offers”.
And our agency will not rent cars on behalf of clients.
We learned this the hard way:
“If we rent the car for you, we become legally responsible in case of fines or complaints.
In the UAE, it is extremely easy to get a travel ban for unresolved rental issues.
For this reason, all clients who want a rental car must book it themselves.”
Driving & Renting a Car in the UAE – Full FAQs
1. Do I need an International Driving Permit to rent a car in the UAE?
It depends on your nationality.
If your country is recognized by the UAE, you can rent a car with your original driving license only, without an International Driving Permit (IDP).
These include most European countries (France, Belgium, Switzerland…), the UK, the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and GCC countries.If your country is not on the approved list, you will need:
✔ Your national driver’s license
✔ + An International Driving Permit (IDP)
Your passport and a credit card are also required for rental.
If you’re unsure, most rental companies can confirm instantly when you send them a picture of your license.
2. What are the strict driving laws in Abu Dhabi and the UAE?
The UAE—especially Abu Dhabi—has some of the strictest traffic laws in the world, with radars everywhere and very high fines.
Examples of common fines:
Speeding: AED 300 to AED 3,000
Driving too slowly: AED 400
Wrong lane use: AED 400–1,000
Tailgating: AED 400 + 4 black points
Using a mobile phone while driving: AED 800 + 4 points
Not wearing a seatbelt: AED 400 per passenger
Running a red light: AED 1,000 + car confiscation for up to 30 days
Driving under the influence: immediate arrest + court fines + car confiscation
Abu Dhabi has zero tolerance: even driving slightly over the limit is instantly detected and fined.
3. How are the roads in the UAE?
Roads in Dubai and Abu Dhabi are:
modern
wide
well-lit
clearly marked
with excellent infrastructure
However, the driving style is fast, unpredictable, and not always beginner-friendly.
4. What are the Pros and Cons of driving in Dubai?
✅ Pros
Easy access to all emirates
Freedom to explore beaches, mountains, and desert
Ideal for day trips (Abu Dhabi, Hatta, Fujairah, RAK…)
Fuel is cheap
Rental prices are reasonable
❌ Cons
1. Heavy Traffic During Peak Hours & Holidays
Dubai experiences very heavy traffic, especially:
morning & evening rush hours
weekends
public holidays
rainy days
Highways like Sheikh Zayed Road become extremely slow during these times.
2. Dangerous Driving Behavior on Highways
On the biggest roads — especially Sheikh Zayed Road and Emirates Road, which have up to 7 lanes — driving can be very intense.
Cars use every lane, specially the left one to go faster.
Drivers constantly switch lanes to find space
Many do not signal
You never know from where a car will appear
SUVs may come very close and flash their lights
Speed is high even in middle lanes
You must be very alert at all times.
3. Very Frequent Accidents
Dubai has not seen a single day without car accidents.
Reasons include:
high speeds
sudden lane changes
distraction
aggressive driving
some local drivers driving extremely fast
- use of phone ( yes, yes )
Accidents are very common on major highways.
4. Strict Laws + Automatic Fines Everywhere
The radar system is extremely advanced and fines are:
instant
automatic
very expensive
Even going 1–5 km/h over the limit can trigger a fine.
5. Is renting a car recommended?
Yes, if you:
✔ are confident driving in fast multi-lane traffic
✔ want flexibility
✔ plan to visit other emirates
No, if you:
✘ dislike heavy traffic
✘ get stressed by unpredictable drivers
✘ prefer convenience (Uber/taxis are cheap and everywhere)
6. What else should I know before driving in the UAE?
Toll gates (“Salik”) charge automatically.
Speed limits change often — stay alert.
Many parking zones are paid.
Flashing headlights behind you means: “Move right, I want to pass.”
The left lane is for fast cars — and they really mean fast.
If after reading this guide you feel unsure about driving in the UAE, remember that you don’t have to navigate the traffic, the strict laws, or the unfamiliar road system on your own.
Hiring a private driver remains the smartest and safest option — and in most cases, it actually costs less than using taxis all day. You’ll enjoy comfort, flexibility, and complete peace of mind while exploring Dubai or Abu Dhabi at your own rhythm.
And for travel professionals, you don’t need to handle everything alone.
Our agency can manage all transportation arrangements directly for you — ensuring your clients travel safely and smoothly, without risk or stress.
Whenever you need support, advice, or bookings, we’re here to help you deliver the best possible travel experience in the Emirates.
