What documents are required to rent a car in the UAE?

The documents required to rent a car in the UAE depend on whether you are a
UAE resident or a visitor/tourist.
Providing the correct documents allows us to verify your eligibility to drive
and ensures compliance with applicable UAE driving, rental and insurance requirements.

For UAE Residents:

• Valid passport
• Valid UAE residence visa / residence status
• Valid Emirates ID
• Valid UAE driving licence

For Tourists / Visitors:

• Valid passport
• Valid UAE visit, entry or other eligible short-term visa/status
• Valid home-country driving licence
  (
  see which foreign driving licences are accepted in the UAE
  )
• Valid International Driving Permit (IDP),
  if required for your driving licence

Important Note:
Not every visitor requires an International Driving Permit.
Visitors holding an eligible driving licence issued by a GCC country or another
jurisdiction recognised for direct use under the applicable RTA rules may be
permitted to drive without an IDP, subject to their nationality, immigration
status and the conditions applicable to that licence.

If your home-country driving licence is not eligible for direct use in the UAE,
you will generally need to carry both your original valid domestic driving licence
and a valid

International Driving Permit (IDP)
.
An IDP does not replace your original driving licence and should be presented together with it.

Visitors should also ensure that their immigration status permits them to drive
using a foreign or international driving licence. Foreign-licence privileges
generally apply to visitors and eligible short-term entrants; UAE residents are
generally required to hold a valid UAE driving licence.

For the current rules applicable to your licence, see our

guide to foreign driving licences accepted in the UAE

or refer to the

Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA)
.

This information was reviewed and updated on 14 September 2026.