A Guide To Renting A Car In UAE

The United Arab Emirates is a land specifically designed for wheels. So during your trip here, you'd do a great injustice if you don't spend enough time driving. The roads here are spotless, well-maintained, and safe to drive at even speeds such as 120-130 km per hour. It isn't only tourists that like to rent cars here; even the residents do so. It is pretty cheap, and at the same time, if you're a tourist here, public transportation doesn't cover a lot of areas. Having your own car at your convenience is both comfortable as well as cheaper than hiring a cab.

Because of the rise in the number of tourists every year, it is safe to say that now renting a car in UAE for a short while is a cakewalk. Having your own vehicle can also make your travel from one emirate to another ridiculously inexpensive and easy.

Following are the things to keep in mind when you do go out to rent a vehicle to enjoy the way The UAE is meant to be enjoyed:

Top Car Rentals in UAE

1. Rental Cars UAE, Dubai

Location: Multiple branches at JBR, Jumeirah Business Center Towers and Dubai Mall
Price: Starting at AED 60/day for a Hatchback
Where to book: Visit the official website for bookings and more info.

2. Herts, Dubai

Location: Al Falak Street, Dubai Media City
Price: Starting at AED 100/day for a Hatchback
Where to book: Visit the official website for vehicle reservations and more info.

3. National Car Rental, Dubai

Location: Al Garhoud
Price: Starting at AED 140/day for a Hatchback
Where to book: Visit the official website for vehicle reservations and more info.

4. Thrifty Car Rental, Abu Dhabi

Location: Yas Mall, Abu Dhabi
Price: Starting at AED 80/day for a Hatchback
Where to book: Visit the official website for vehicle reservations and more info.

5. Dollar, Abu Dhabi

Location: Zabeel Road
Price: Starting at AED 90/day for a Hatchback
Where to book: Visit the official website for vehicle reservations and more info.

6. Sixt, Sharjah

Location: Sharjah Airport
Price: Starting at AED 100/day for a Hatchback
Where to book: Visit the official website for vehicle reservations and more info.

7. Autolease, Sharjah

Location: King Faisal Street
Price: Starting at AED 70/day for a Hatchback
Where to book: Visit the official website for vehicle reservations and more info.

Cost of Renting a Car in the UAE

Most of the rental service providers put forward conditions such as mileage coverage. A typical car should cover about 350 km per day (if you're taking a daily use), and 250 km per day (for weekly rent). Exceeding mileage may cause you to pay extra charges.

Before going all out, and renting a Ferrari, make sure it fits your budget. The truth is you can get cars here fit for every kind of budget. And as you search more, you'd find out that many shops rent out a car at different rates, so don't forget to sit back and compare. Unfortunately, we wouldn't be able to even give estimates because it depends on the car to car, from agency to agency, from the distance to the number of hours and so on.

Documents Required

The UAE is extremely strict in terms of traffic rules, so take proper care while driving. And don't even think about driving under the influence, the punishment for that or reckless driving is severe. There are many rules and regulations regarding driving so make sure to abide by them.

Tourists coming in from most of the first world countries and the countries from GCC can drive with their own country's license. However, if you're from some other country you must obtain an International Driving Permit (IDP) from your home country (carry your home country's license as well).

For Indians - The Indian license works just fine and no IDP is required. A photocopy of your Driving License and a photocopy of your Credit Card (with CVV) will be kept as a security. 

Documentation - Carry a credit card, a proper ID card (the preferable one is a valid passport with the stamped visa), the IDP and your license.

Important Things to Know Before Renting a Car inUAE

1. The UAE can be a tricky place for you if you don't make sure to check out the terms and conditions. Each company/agency has its own set of terms and conditions, which must be read thoroughly and understood clearly.
2. Ensure that you check out the car well, and note anything damaged (dents, scratches) or missing, before renting them.
3. Make sure to clean your car and fill the tank before dropping off your car because that will help you not incur additional charges. 
4. Enquire about the final condition report of the car.
5. You can if you want, go for online booking, though the prices would more or less remain the same, it just ensures that you get your desired car at the required time.
6. Do not make the mistake of using your phones (even at the signals!) because you'll have to pay the fine, which may, in fact, ruin your trip.
7. Get insurance! Not a lot of people do this despite continuous warnings, and this proves to be their number one mistake. The UAE having really strict laws and smooth roads, looks good on paper but practically speaking, while driving here, the chances of getting involved in accidents can be high, so it's best to get yourself insured before, to save a lot of time and money.
8. Inform the agency/service-provider if you intend to cross the border to travel to Oman or some other country.
9. The car you pick must always have a valid registration so make sure to check the paper works of the car  
10. If you are booking a car to pick/drop you from/to the airport and suppose your flights get delayed, most of the well-reputed rental agencies will have an offer or deal regarding that, so you don't incur a lot of unnecessary charges. Just ask them, and they'd let you know!
11. Salik, which is just a toll tax, will be charged per use. Generally, companies only ask for AED 5 per use.
12. The tolls are electronically captured and computed there is no way to verify the charges. Since a copy of your credit card is kept with them, you will come to know of the amount only after you have been charged for the same

You can drive a regular hatchback to even a supercar, the car rentals in UAE knows no bounds. To conclude, if you visited the UAE and didn't drive a Ferrari, did you even come here?