Dubai is a place full of adventures. They have turned a desert place into a ramp of entertainment. Foreigners go there to experience a wild adventure, stunning architecture, vibrant culture and much more. Dubai is also known for showcasing the combination of rare and modern car collections and they are not just for placing at a penthouse, as all can see these on the roads every time. Yes, Dubai is famous for its road network and people love to ride their cars on these roads going through the desert. But how can a foreigner drive in Dubai? What are the things required for him, what documents to carry to experience long drives on these roads? Well, this guide will give all necessary about driving a car in Dubai as a Foreigner, so stay tuned.
Getting an International Driving Permit (IDP)
The best and easiest way of driving a car in Dubai is to get an International Driving Permit which is valid for 1 whole year in every country. Any visitor can grab one of these through authorised agencies like
- Automobile and Touring Club of the UAE (ATCUAE)
- Driving schools approved by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA)
So now let’s see the application process so one can apply for their IDP:
Step 1: Gathering Documents and Understanding Requirements
Before applying for an IDP, all the visitors need to fulfill the following requirements:
- Valid Driving License: Any visitor who wants to get an IDP must have a valid driving license issued by their country. The license must be in English or have an official translation with them if it’s in another language.
- Age Requirement: Every IPD requester must be at least 18 years old to drive in the UAE.
- Copy of Documents: Â Every tourist should submit a copy of their passport and residence visa (if available) with a copy of their home country driving license and passport-sized photographs (usually two required).
Step 2: Submitting the application
Once a traveller has all the documents ready, they can submit it to the applied authorised agency with the application form and payment. The cost of getting an IDP ranges from 150 AED to 300 AED depending on the agency.
When all the process is done, the agency will instruct all the traffic rules and regulations of the city to the foreigners and the best thing to apply for an IDP in Dubai is the very quick processing time can they hand over the IPD on the same day or within a few days.
Renting a Vehicle
Once a traveler gets their IDP, they can proceed to rent a car of their choice. Here’s how:
Step 1: Choose a Rental Company
Dubai being a car market for years, has a lot of companies that work in renting their cars for tourists on visas to travel on their own. There are some popular options for renting like:
- Hertz
- Budget
- Europcar
- Sixt
- Some local companies like Fast Rent A Car or Diamond Lease.
Step 2: Go through the Rental Requirements and Documents needed
Before booking a car of the choice, every tourist must meet the following criteria:
- Valid IDP and Driving License: Preview the received IDP with the home country driving license.
- Age Requirement: Most rental service companies require drivers to be above 21 years old and might have charges and regulations for drivers under 25.
- Credit Card: A security deposit such as a credit card in the name of the tourist is often required.
Step 3: Book a Car or Two-wheeler
- On completing the above steps, every foreigner can book a vehicle either online from the company’s website or visit the rental office in person.
- Select the type of vehicle according to their needs like compact cars, SUVs, luxury cars, limousines, or any other options that would be available.
- Read all the documents of the car and renting agreement including insurance coverage, fuel policy, and mileage limits, and also inspect the vehicle for any existing damage or enquire about the features
Driving in Dubai
Once a car is on the road, follow these road rules and safety tips for a hassle-free experience:
- Traffic Regulations: Dubai imposes a lot of fines and has strict traffic rules so every person whether it be a citizen of the UAE or a visitor to the country must follow and get familiarised with them.
- Seat Belt: Always wear seatbelts for safety.
- Mobile Phones: Driving a vehicle while using a cell phone is prohibited
- Parking: Only use designated parking areas else the vehicle will be fined and towed by the authorities.
- Documents: Always keep the documents while travelling.
Conclusion
Obtaining an IPD and renting a car in Dubai is a very straightforward process that allows foreigners to roam around the city day and night at their own pace.
