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Document checklist for car rentals in UAE

30th November 2022

Document checklist for car rentals in UAE

UAE is one of the most frequently visited destinations for travellers from around the world. Over the last two to three decades UAE has taken huge strides in developing itself as a tourist attraction. This nation is a blend of the old and the new. Not only the country has a rich heritage and tradition to showcase to the world, but it has embraced the latest technology and modern life that promises splendid new-age wonders on display.

If you are planning your next holiday to visit this enchanting world, it may just be the right travel choice. But, when travelling to the UAE certain amount of planning would go a long way in making your stay and travel go smoothly. Well connected by roads and with excellent infrastructure facilities, comfortable travel is always promised. But, one also needs to have prior knowledge about the paperwork and documentation required to make the travel hassle-free. 

Rental cars are one of the best mediums to choose for travel in the UAE if you wish to cover more ground and do not want to worry about the travel modes and routes from time to time. There are a large number of rental car service providers offering a range of cars with the latest amenities.

The government has laid down some mandatory documentation for availing of such service. Apart from that rental agencies may also have additional requirements in this regard. Before availing of a rental car facility in the country, it is important to know the basic documents to be presented by a traveller. Note that the documents required for a UAE resident are different from that of a tourist. Here is a ready document checklist for car rentals in UAE.

Documents required by a UAE resident

  • Copy of Passport
  • Residential visa
  • Emirates ID
  • UAE driving license

Documents required by a tourist

  • Valid passport
  • Entry stamp of passport for the tourist visa
  • International driving permit
  • Original driving license of the country of residence (Driving license to be from the same country as passport and must be at least one year old)
  •  A valid credit card

The documents mentioned above are the same for all countries except the following countries that do not need to have an international driving permit- 

GCC Countries (Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain), United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland. France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Poland, Portugal, Singapore, Slovakia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and Turkey.

 Toll and other charges

Car rental companies usually require a security deposit for the duration of the rental. They may charge for the full rental duration or ask for a security deposit usually in the range of AED 1500- AED 5000 depending on the kind of car availed. Tourists need to present their credit cards for this purpose. This deposit amount pertains to the tolls and fines if any during the travel. The toll and fine amount are adjusted in the final bill for the tourist upon return of the vehicle.

Most car rental companies charge inclusive of the insurance amount. Some may not and some amount may have to be paid for the insurance. It is always good to know what is included and what extra amount has to be paid by you.

When planned properly, travelling in the UAE in a rental car for short or long duration is hassle-free and comfortable. It always helps to have transparency when renting a car. Talk to your agent, read the instructions, and keep all vouchers safe during the entire process. Always keep emergency contact information handy, know the traffic rules including the parking rules in the country, and let the rental agency know beforehand when planning to cross the border.

A rental agency can help you get the right information, not just about the car and travel, but also be a guide for you during your period of stay. Make good use of your car rental agency contact, one that can help you make your stay in the UAE enjoyable and memorable.

 

Further Reading