If a voyager desires to visit the entire mega city of Dubai, possibly one of the easiest ways of seeing the town is by using car rentals. That way, irrespective of whether a tourist or local citizen, driving around in this great emirate by renting a car in Dubai, you have an opportunity to go to notable landmarks, enjoy scenic routes and navigate this massive city all at your own pace. But before signing the rental deal, we must be aware of The Legal Requirements for Renting a Car in Dubai and What You Need to Know. Let’s discuss each and every angle.
1. Age Requirements
The first major legal factor associated with car hiring in Dubai should be the age of a candidate to rent that car. However, most cars require that its renters be over 21. Nevertheless, if you are looking for high-end vehicles for car rental, various car rental companies might have an age requirement that is nearer to 25 years and above.
You might be charged extra if you are below 25. For luxury and sports cars, this is always so. Moreover, when you are more than 60, some agencies would not allow you to hire specific types of cars.
2. Valid Driving License
A valid driver’s license is required to rent a car in Dubai. To a tourist and foreigner, this includes one of the following:
- International Driving Permit: Voyagers from other countries require an IDP. It translates driving information into various languages and is accepted by every country worldwide.
- Foreign Driving License: All the countries listed above, the US, UK, Canada, and all the European nations, permit driving on one’s national license. Nonetheless, an IDP is used to acquire the paper needed by a particular rental company that would be different from the policies above.
- UAE Driving License: If you live in Dubai, you must possess a UAE-issued driving license. Tourist visas usually do not legally permit driving in Dubai without an IDP.
3. Rental Agreement
In Dubai, renting a car would require signing an agreement with the car hire company. Terms and conditions, including rental duration, price, insurance coverage, or late return and damage penalties, will be indicated. You should, therefore, always ensure that you read and understand all the terms before signing.
You should further ask if a full tank at return is compulsory or not; whether mileage limitation exists and their return policy if any. It varies with a rental company in some way, so make the most of every inquiry you’ve made.
4. Insurance Coverage
So, car rental companies are required to provide insurance for the vehicles in Dubai. But the thing one needs to understand is what actually the insurance covers. The basic insurance would cover third-party property damage and injury, but with additional coverage, you would protect yourself in case of theft and accidents or even damage to the vehicle that has been rented.
Most rental companies provide collision damage waivers, or theft protection. You should consider taking some extra coverage in case you might be held liable for anything. Always get an explanation of all the terms with the rental agency and carefully go through the agreement to make sure you’re sufficiently covered.
5. Traffic Violations and Fines
The traffic laws strictly govern the flow of traffic in Dubai. The car rental companies keep all records of traffic violations during your rental period. Most agencies deduct all fines or penalties from your deposit or charge to your credit card. Administrative charges for processing fines will also be incurred by some agencies.
It is significant to know traffic rules before commencing driving in Dubai. While driving in the city, common traffic rules in place include that speeding, drinking and driving, and mobiles while driving are strictly banned. The penalties here are quite stringent.
6. Documents Required
When you rent a car in Dubai, you will need to present several documents:
A valid passport or Emirates ID, if you are a resident.
A valid driving license-as mentioned earlier.
A credit card in your name to secure the rental and cover any deposits.
A tourist visa or a residence visa, depending upon your status in the country.
Most rental agencies will insist that you present your return flight to ensure one is not overstaying a tourist visa.
7. Driving Restrictions
Driving restrictions apply to some rental company vehicles, especially luxury and high-performance cars. For instance, you may be barred from taking the vehicle off-road, crossing borders, or visiting some places that are at risk and considered dangerous for that particular vehicle.
For a road trip or discovery of areas off the beaten path, always clear with your car rental company beforehand to respect most rental agreements.
8. Renting a Car for Tourists
If you are a tourist, then you surely know the number of options with which car rental in Dubai can offer. Being a foreigner, though, you need to be careful regarding the traffic rules as fines are rather pricey. There are many traffic cameras as well, and fines for violation of traffic rules like speeding or illegal parking are hefty.
Know the parking rules and the number of available parking spaces so as to avoid these fines or towing.
Conclusion
Car rentals in Dubai are pretty convenient and thrilling, but do come with their own legal demands that have to be met. Understanding the requirements on age, licensing, insurance, and documents will ensure you do not experience any legal troubles in your rental and that you will enjoy your hassle-free rental. Always go through your rental agreement and question the car rental agency about any points that are unclear to you.
By walking in the right procedure, you would be able to explore Dubai without doing anything wrong according to local laws and regulations.
FAQs:
Question: How to rent a car in Dubai?
Answer: You will have to browse the website, pick up the day, date, rental duration, and attach needed documents then pay the security deposit
Question: Where are the best places to park in Dubai?
Answer: The best places to park in Dubai are wallet parking if you need security, otherwise places like parking zones of malls and other public parking spaces are located too.
Question: How much does a car cost to rent it for one week?
Answer: The range of rental cost depends on the car and season, the minimum starts from 600 AED onwards.
Question: What is the cheapest car rental company in Dubai?
Answer: Royal Star Car Rental Dubai LLC would be the best choice if you are looking for cheap and economic cars with style.
Question: How to start a car rental business in Dubai?
Answer: You have to research and analyze the rental market. Make a great list of affordable prices with lots of products to choose from.
