Documents to rent a car in Dubai as a tourist

Renting a car is the easiest way to see Dubai on your own schedule, and for many visitors it is part of the holiday itself. The paperwork is simple once you know it, but it has to be right on the day: rental companies cannot hand over a car to a driver whose documents are missing, and copies on a phone are usually not enough. This guide covers what tourists need in 2026, what changes for residents, and the points worth checking before you fly.

The four documents

Almost every rental company in Dubai asks visitors for the same four things.

• Passport with your UAE entry stamp or visit visa. The rental company checks that you are in the country legally as a visitor.
• Driving licence from your home country, valid and held in your name. Many companies ask that you have held it for at least one year; for high-performance cars the requirement can be longer.
• International Driving Permit (IDP), if your licence is not on the UAE's list of accepted licences, or if the rental company asks for one.
• Credit card in the driver's name, used to block the security deposit.

Bring the originals. A photo of your licence or a scan of your passport will not normally be accepted at hand-over.

Which licences can be used without an IDP

The UAE accepts licences from a published list of countries for visitors on a tourist or visit visa. The list includes the Gulf states (Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and Oman), the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, South Africa and most countries of the European Union, among others. The authoritative list is published by the UAE authorities and the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), and it is worth checking it for your country before you travel, because it changes from time to time.

If your country is on the list, your home licence is enough under UAE rules. In practice, some rental companies still ask for an IDP as a matter of policy, especially if your licence is not in English or Arabic. If you can get one easily, take it with you.

How the International Driving Permit works

The IDP is not a licence on its own. It is a translation of your licence in a standard format, and it is only valid together with the original. A few points that often catch travellers out:

• It must be issued in the country that issued your licence, usually by the national automobile association. You cannot get one after arriving in Dubai.
• It is generally valid for one year from the date of issue.
• It is typically inexpensive and quick to obtain, but allow a few days before your trip.

Age rules

The usual minimum age to rent a car in the UAE is 21. For luxury and sports cars many companies set the minimum at 25, and some ask for a longer driving history. Rules differ from company to company and from car to car, so if you are under 25, ask before you choose a car rather than at the counter. With RG Speed, include your age in your WhatsApp request and the reply will say which cars are possible.

Why the credit card matters

The security deposit is the reason a credit card is requested. The amount is blocked on the card at hand-over and released after the rental, once tolls and any traffic fines have been checked. Debit cards and cash are not always accepted for this, and the card has to belong to the main driver. If you plan to rent a supercar, check that your card's limit covers the deposit plus your other holiday spending. Our guide to the car rental deposit in Dubai explains the process step by step.

If you live in the UAE

Residents follow different rules. Once you hold a UAE residence visa, you need a UAE driving licence to drive; your foreign licence and IDP are no longer valid for that. Rental companies usually ask residents for an Emirates ID, a UAE licence and a credit card.

Additional drivers

Only the people named on the rental agreement may drive the car. If someone else will drive, they need to present the same documents and meet the same age rule. Letting an unregistered driver take the wheel can void the insurance.

A checklist before you fly

1. Check your licence against the UAE's accepted list.
2. Get an IDP at home if you need one, or if you want to avoid any discussion at the counter.
3. Make sure your licence and passport are valid for the whole trip.
4. Check that your credit card is in the driver's name and has enough limit for the deposit.
5. Ask the rental company for its exact requirements for the car you want.

Renting with RG Speed

RG Speed Car Rental has not published its terms online, so the exact documents, minimum age and deposit for each car are confirmed by message. Send your nationality, your age, the car and your dates on WhatsApp to +971 58 592 2941, and RG Speed replies with the list for that car. The car can be collected at ParkLane Tower in Business Bay or delivered to the airport or your hotel. You will find a short version of this guide on our requirements page.