Rent a Car Dubai: Docs, Insurance & Deposit Guide 2025

Your Key to Dubai Freedom: Renting a Car Without the Stress

May 10, 2025

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Thinking about exploring Dubai's dazzling landmarks, sprawling malls, and hidden gems? While the city has great public transport, renting a car offers unmatched freedom and convenience, especially for families or those wanting to venture beyond the usual tourist trails

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. This guide focuses on navigating the rental process with well-known international companies like Hertz, Budget, Sixt, Europcar, and Thrifty

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. We'll walk you through the essential steps, covering the documents you'll need, demystifying insurance options, explaining security deposits, and highlighting common extra costs to expect in 2025.

Booking Your Rental Car

You've got several ways to book your ride: directly through company websites or apps, using comparison portals, calling their reservation lines, or even walking into a branch

. Honestly, it's best to book ahead, particularly if you're travelling during busy times like the winter season or major holidays, to secure the car you want at potentially better rates

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Essential Paperwork: Documents Needed to Rent

Getting your documents sorted is probably the most crucial step. What you need depends on whether you're a UAE resident or visiting as a tourist

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. Let's break it down.

For UAE Residents

If you live here, you'll generally need your valid UAE Driving License (held for at least a year), your original Emirates ID, and sometimes a copy of your passport and resident visa page

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. Most major companies like Hertz specify needing these documents to verify your identity and residency status

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For Tourists/Visitors

Visiting Dubai? You'll need your original passport, your visit visa or the entry stamp in your passport, and your valid home country driving license (again, usually held for at least one year)

. Now, here's a key point: the International Driving Permit (IDP).

Whether you need an IDP depends entirely on where your driving license was issued

. If your license is from a GCC country (like Saudi Arabia or Oman) or countries like the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, China, Israel, Turkey, South Africa, or most EU nations, you typically don't need an IDP – just your valid home license is fine

. However, if your license is from a country not on this recognized list, you absolutely MUST have a valid IDP along with your original license

. The IDP acts as an official translation and must be obtained before you travel

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. Just a heads-up, even for some countries on the 'exempt' list (like Japan, Turkey, Greece, S. Korea), a certified translation might still be requested by some rental firms

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. Always double-check the latest requirements with your chosen rental company before your trip

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Age & Credit Card Requirements

The minimum age to rent is usually 21, but it might be higher (like 25) for premium or powerful cars

. If you're under 25, be prepared for a potential 'young driver surcharge'

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. And critically, you'll need a valid credit card in the main driver's name

. This isn't just for payment; it's essential for the security deposit block

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. Debit cards are rarely accepted for this deposit, though you might be able to use one for the final bill

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Decoding Car Rental Insurance in Dubai

Understanding car rental insurance is vital to avoid nasty surprises later. Let's unpack the common options.

Basic Included Coverage

Every rental legally includes Third-Party Liability (TPL) insurance

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. This covers damage or injury you might cause to other people or their property with the rental car

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. It's the minimum required by law.

Waivers for the Rental Car

This is where it gets more detailed. Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) limits how much you'd have to pay if the rental car itself gets damaged in an accident

. However, there's always an "excess" or "deductible" – typically between AED 1,500 and AED 5,000 – which is the amount you pay first

. You'll usually need a police report for the CDW to apply, and it often excludes things like tires, windscreens, undercarriage damage, or damage from negligence

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Want more peace of mind? You can often buy Super CDW (SCDW) or a Zero Excess waiver

. This optional upgrade significantly reduces or eliminates that excess amount, but it costs extra per day

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. You still need a police report if something happens, and exclusions for negligence or specific damages still apply

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. Theft Protection (TP) covers you if the car is stolen (often bundled with CDW) and also has an excess

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Optional Personal Coverage

Personal Accident Insurance (PAI) is another optional extra

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. It covers medical expenses or provides benefits for the driver and passengers in case of injury or death during the rental

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Other Potential Waivers

Some companies might offer specific waivers for things like windscreen or tire damage for an additional fee

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. The key takeaway? Read the rental agreement very carefully, especially the parts about the excess amount and what's excluded from coverage

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. Don't hesitate to ask questions at the counter.

Understanding the Security Deposit

Nearly every traditional rental company in Dubai requires a security deposit

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. It's standard practice, acting as security against potential extra costs like traffic fines, Salik road tolls, fuel charges if you don't return the car full, or covering the damage excess if needed

Here’s how it usually works: it’s a pre-authorization, or a 'block', placed on your credit card, not an actual charge that immediately takes money out

. The amount varies based on the company and the type of car you rent – expect anywhere from AED 1,500 up to AED 5,000 or even more for luxury vehicles

Now, about getting it back. The rental company should release the block within a maximum of 30 days after you return the car, assuming there are no outstanding charges like fines or tolls

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. However, and this catches many people out, it can take much longer for the released funds to actually show as available on your credit card statement – often 14 to 28 working days, sometimes even longer, depending entirely on your bank's processing time

. Delays happen, often because traffic fines can take weeks to register in the system

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. If you feel the refund is unreasonably delayed beyond 30 days (plus bank processing time), contact the rental company, then your bank, and if needed, you can raise a complaint with Dubai Economy

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Beyond the Daily Rate: Extra Costs to Budget For

The price you see advertised isn't always the final price. Be prepared for some common additional charges.

Salik Tolls: Dubai uses an electronic toll system called Salik on major routes

. Your rental car will have a tag, and every time you pass under a Salik gate, a toll is charged

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. The base toll is AED 4, but rental companies typically add an admin fee, charging you AED 5 or AED 6 per crossing

. These charges are tallied up and usually deducted from your deposit or added to your final bill

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. Keep in mind Salik charges are expected to become variable based on time of day starting January 2025, potentially reaching AED 6 during peak hours

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Fuel Policy: Most rentals use a "Full-to-Full" policy – you get the car full, you return it full

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. If you don't refill the tank, the company will, but at a much higher price per litre plus a service fee

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. Always check the fuel gauge when you pick up and return the car.

Mileage Limits: While many rentals offer unlimited mileage, some deals or specific car types might have daily caps (like 250km/day)

. Going over the limit means paying extra per kilometer

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Additional Driver Fees: Want someone else to share the driving? They need to be registered on the agreement, meet all requirements, and you'll likely pay an extra fee per day or per rental for them

Young Driver Surcharge: As mentioned, drivers under 25 (or sometimes 23) often face an extra daily fee

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Airport Surcharges: Picking up your car right at DXB or DWC airports usually comes with an added location surcharge

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Traffic Fines: Any speeding tickets or parking fines you get are your responsibility

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. The rental company pays the fine initially then charges you the fine amount plus an administration fee, often taken from your deposit later

VAT: Remember that a 5% Value Added Tax (VAT) applies to your rental charges and most related fees in the UAE

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Other potential costs include one-way rental fees if dropping off at a different location, or fees for delivery/collection services

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. Always review the cost breakdown before you sign.

The Pickup & Return Process Essentials

When you pick up your car, take your time inspecting it thoroughly. Note down any existing damage, no matter how small, on the checkout form and take photos or videos for your records

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. Check the fuel level matches what's stated. For the return, allow enough time for the agent to inspect the car with you. Get them to sign off on the condition report confirming no new damage, and keep your copy of all the paperwork safe.