To rent a car in Dubai, tourists need a passport with a valid visit or tourist visa, their home country driving licence and a credit card in their own name. Visitors from around 50 countries, including the GCC, the UK, the US, Canada, Australia, most of Europe, Japan and South Korea, can drive on their home licence alone. Everyone else needs an International Driving Permit (IDP) as well. UAE residents need a UAE driving licence and Emirates ID.
Documents checklist at a glance
| Document | Tourists | UAE residents |
|---|---|---|
| Passport (with visa page) | Required | Copy may be requested |
| Home country driving licence | Required | Not valid once you are a resident |
| International Driving Permit | Only if your country is not on the approved list | Not needed |
| UAE driving licence | Not needed | Required |
| Emirates ID | Not needed | Required |
| Credit card in the driver’s name | Required for the deposit | Required for the deposit |
Documents for tourists
If you are visiting Dubai on a tourist or visit visa, bring the following to the handover:
- Passport with your entry stamp or visa page
- Your original home country driving licence, valid for the whole rental
- An International Driving Permit, only if your licence was issued outside the approved list (see below)
- A credit card in the main driver’s name for the refundable security deposit
Do I need an International Driving Permit in Dubai?
It depends on the country that issued your licence. The UAE Ministry of Interior keeps a list of around 50 countries whose licences visitors can use without an IDP, according to Gulf News. It includes:
- All GCC countries: Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and Oman
- The UK, the US, Canada and Australia
- Most European countries, including Germany, France, Italy and Spain
- Japan and South Korea
If your country is not on the list, you need a valid IDP together with your original home licence. The IDP is a translation of your licence, so it is never accepted on its own. Get it in your home country before you travel, as it cannot be issued in the UAE for a foreign licence. The full, current list is on the UAE Ministry of Interior website. Not sure about your licence? Message us with your nationality before you book and we will confirm.
Documents for UAE residents
Once you hold a UAE residence visa, you must drive on a UAE licence; your foreign licence is no longer valid for driving here. To rent, bring:
- A valid UAE driving licence
- Your Emirates ID
- A credit card in your name for the deposit
- A passport copy, if requested
New residents waiting for their UAE licence often rent monthly in the meantime. See our monthly car rental rates.
Age, licence history and the deposit
- Minimum age: 21. Some premium cars may need drivers to be 25 or older; ask us when you book.
- Licence history: visitors driving on a foreign licence are usually expected to have held it for at least 12 months.
- Deposit: a refundable amount is blocked on your credit card to cover fines, tolls or damage, and is typically released 21 to 30 days after the rental ends. Debit cards are not usually accepted for the deposit.
- Additional drivers: each extra driver must meet the same rules and show their own licence.
Common mistakes that delay a rental
- Bringing an IDP but leaving the original licence at home
- A licence that expires during the rental
- Paying the deposit with someone else’s card
- Residents trying to rent on a foreign licence after their visa is issued
Before you collect the car
- Send us photos of your documents on WhatsApp when you book, so we can check them in advance
- Bring the originals to the handover at your hotel, home or the airport
- Walk round the car with our team and photograph any existing marks
- Keep your licence and the rental agreement in the car while you drive
Flying in? Read our guide to car rental at Dubai Airport, or see tourist car rental prices.
Frequently asked questions
What documents do I need to rent a car in Dubai as a tourist?
Your passport with a valid visit or tourist visa, your home country driving licence, an International Driving Permit if your country is not on the UAE’s approved list, and a credit card in your name for the deposit.
Can I rent a car in Dubai with a UK or US licence?
Yes. UK and US licences are on the UAE Ministry of Interior’s approved list, so visitors can drive on them without an IDP.
Is an IDP enough on its own?
No. An IDP is only valid together with your original home country licence.
Can UAE residents rent a car with a foreign licence?
No. Once you are a resident you need a UAE driving licence to drive and to rent a car.
What is the minimum age to rent a car in Dubai?
The minimum age is 21. Some premium cars may need drivers to be 25 or older.
