Car Hire in the United Arab Emirates

Driving in the United Arab Emirates: Essential Rules

• Side of the road: the UAE drives on the right, the same as mainland Europe and most of the Gulf region.
• Mandatory equipment: every car should carry a warning triangle, a spare wheel, and a fire extinguisher, along with the vehicle's insurance documents.
• Alcohol limit: the UAE enforces a strict zero-tolerance policy on drink driving — 0% blood alcohol. Even a small amount can result in a licence suspension, a court-decided fine, or imprisonment, so the only safe approach is not to drink at all if you are driving that day.
• Speed limits vary significantly by road: unlike many countries, the UAE does not apply one consistent limit per road type nationwide — individual roads, and even individual emirates, are signed differently, with highway limits ranging anywhere from around 100 km/h up to 140 km/h or more on some stretches. Always follow the posted sign for the specific road you're on rather than assuming a limit carries over from the last road you were driving.
• Speed cameras: fixed and mobile cameras, including unmarked police vehicles fitted with cameras, are used extensively across all emirates. Enforcement tolerance is reported to vary by emirate, with some allowing a small margin over the posted limit and Abu Dhabi in particular applying limits strictly with little to no tolerance — never treat a margin as a rule, since it isn't consistent nationwide.
• Mobile phones: handheld phone use while driving is prohibited; a hands-free set is required for calls on the move.
• Seatbelts and children: seatbelts are mandatory in the front seats. Children under 10 years old, or under roughly 145 cm in height, are not permitted to sit in the front seat, and young children require an appropriate child safety seat.
• Toll roads: Dubai operates an electronic-only toll system (Salik) on a number of key roads, with no cash or card option at the gate. Most hire cars come pre-fitted with a toll tag, and the supplier bills any tolls incurred back to you after your hire — confirm with your supplier exactly how this is charged, since there's no way to pay a toll gate directly yourself.
• Roundabouts: particularly common in Abu Dhabi in place of traffic-light junctions — traffic already in the roundabout has priority over traffic entering it.
• Fog and sandstorms: low visibility from fog (more common in winter months) or sandstorms can develop with little warning. Slow down, use hazard lights if visibility drops sharply, and avoid overtaking until conditions clear.
• Driving licence: visitors without UAE residency can drive on an International Driving Permit together with their home country licence. UAE residents are required to hold a UAE driving licence rather than drive on a foreign one. Confirm which category applies to you with your supplier before you travel.
• Documents to carry: keep your driving licence, passport or Emirates ID, and the rental agreement with you at all times, as traffic police carry out random checks.
• Minimum driving age: car hire suppliers in the UAE typically set a minimum age of 21 or higher, with a young driver surcharge common for those under 25 and some vehicle categories requiring an even higher minimum age — this is confirmed at the point of booking.

Treat these as representative rather than fixed — as noted above, individual roads and emirates sign their own limits, and highway limits in particular can run well above the figure shown here. Posted signage always takes precedence.

United Arab Emirates Car Hire Insurance

Every car hire booked through eCarBookers in the United Arab Emirates includes the supplier's standard collision damage waiver (CDW) in the basic rate. Standard CDW carries an excess — the amount you would be responsible for in the event of damage. Excess amounts vary by supplier and vehicle class, and the exact figure is displayed clearly before you confirm your booking, so there are no surprises at the desk.

If you prefer to drive with no excess at all, fully comprehensive zero-excess cover is available directly from your supplier when you collect the car in the UAE. The cover comes from the hire company itself, not from a third-party insurer — so there is no separate policy, no paying the excess upfront, and no reimbursement claim to file once it has been added. Because your booking confirmation shows the standard excess that applies, you arrive knowing exactly what the cover replaces.

It is worth noting that certain situations fall outside standard CDW cover across the car hire industry. Tyres, glass, underbody damage, lost or damaged keys, and a flat battery caused by driver error are typically not covered and may result in a separate charge if they occur. These situations are uncommon in everyday driving, but it is good practice to check your booking confirmation for the specific cover terms applicable to your hire, as scope can vary by supplier.

Toll charges sit outside the insurance and excess conversation entirely, but they're worth raising with your supplier at the same time you confirm your cover: ask exactly how Salik tolls incurred during your hire are billed, so an unexpected charge after your trip doesn't come as a surprise once you're home.

Popular Car Hire Locations

The United Arab Emirates is a growing addition to the eCarBookers network, with car hire available through a wide supplier network across the country. Dubai, with its mix of city driving, desert day trips, and coastal routes, is the busiest arrival point and the natural starting point for most visitors, while Abu Dhabi, the capital, offers a quieter driving experience with its distinctive roundabout-led road layout. Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah are also popular with visitors looking to combine a city stay with mountain or desert excursions further from the main Dubai–Abu Dhabi corridor. Dedicated city and airport pages for locations in the UAE are planned as the network expands; check back for direct links as those pages go live.