Renting a supercar in Dubai for the first time

For many visitors, driving a supercar in Dubai is the highlight of the trip. The city is made for it: wide roads, dramatic skylines and hotels used to Ferraris arriving at the door. A supercar is still a very different machine from an everyday car, though. A little preparation turns a nervous first hour into a day you remember for the right reasons.

Choosing the car

Think about what you want from the day. A mid-engined coupé like the Ferrari 488 is about the sound, the steering and the sense of occasion. A Lamborghini like the Huracán or the Aventador is even more dramatic to look at and to sit in. The McLaren 570S and the Audi R8 are precise alternatives that are easier to live with. If you travel with more than one passenger or want to carry luggage, a super SUV such as the Lamborghini Urus may be a better choice.

Ask for the exact model and year available, the mileage included per day and the deposit before you decide.

Before the day

• Check your documents. Passport, licence, International Driving Permit if needed, and a credit card in the driver's name. See documents to rent a car in Dubai.
• Check the age rule. Many companies require drivers of high-performance cars to be 25 or older.
• Plan the route. Decide where you want to drive and where you will park. A loop through Downtown, a run on the coast road and a drive up Jebel Jais are popular choices.
• Book the hand-over. Delivery to your hotel saves time; collecting at the office lets you ask questions on the spot.

At hand-over

Take your time. Walk around the car with the representative, photograph all four sides, the wheels and the front splitter, which is the part most often scraped. Ask how to start the car, how to engage reverse, how the drive modes work and how to lift the nose if the car has a lift system. Adjust the seat and mirrors before you move: visibility to the rear is limited in most supercars.

The first kilometres

Start gently. Supercars have strong brakes, sharp throttles and wide bodies. Leave more space than usual to the car in front and give yourself time to get used to the width. In the city, keep to the lowest drive mode; save the sport settings for the open road.

Ramps, bumps and parking

The front of a supercar sits close to the ground. Approach speed bumps and car park ramps slowly and at an angle where possible, and use the nose lift if fitted. Avoid kerbs when parking. In hotels and malls, valet parking is the easy and safe solution; in the street, choose wide bays away from other doors.

Speed and cameras

Dubai's cameras do not care what you drive. Speed limits are posted everywhere and fines start from AED 300 for small excesses, rising steeply for larger ones, with impoundment for extreme speeding. On a rental, fines come back to you through the company. Read Salik tolls and traffic fines before you go.

Heat and fuel

In summer, leave the car in the shade or in covered parking when you can and keep the air conditioning on. Supercars use more fuel than you may expect, so check the fuel policy and the nearest station before you set off. Use the fuel grade recommended for the car.

Photos and filming

Dubai is full of places to photograph a supercar, from the Museum of the Future to the Dubai Water Canal near Business Bay. Stop only where parking is allowed, never on the hard shoulder of a highway. Drones need a permit in the UAE, so leave them at home unless you have registered one.

Returning the car

Return it on time, with the agreed fuel level, and photograph it again at the end, including the dashboard with fuel and mileage. Ask for written confirmation that the car was returned without new damage. The deposit is then released after the agreed period; our guide on the deposit explains how.

Your first supercar with RG Speed

RG Speed Car Rental has shown Ferraris, Lamborghinis, a McLaren and an Audi R8 in its posts. Send your dates and hand-over point on WhatsApp to +971 58 592 2941 and ask for the rate, deposit and mileage. The car can be delivered to the airport or your hotel, or collected at ParkLane Tower in Business Bay. Compare both on the supercar page.