Having a residency visa becomes mandatory to avail a local driving license. I remember once, one of my Arab friend suggested to me that I get an International Driving Permit (IDP) and a driving license from home country. You may attain a temporary driving license valid for six months issued at the Dubai traffic police.

These days there are a variety of car rental agencies to choose from within Dubai Airport upon arrival.

So it becomes quite easy to choose the best deal from the available companies. Some of the preferred ones are the Avis, Budget car rentals, Hertz and thrifty car rentals.

As a precaution, you can make sure the condition of your hired car is acceptable with the Dubai representative accessible from the hire car company wherein you can note any damage on the rental slip prior to your further journey.

Information on the city roads, traffic rules and local driving regulations, a particular hand-drive, speed-limit, lanes & tolls become utmost important to read to avoid any unpleasant surprises to your holiday before actually taking to the roads in Dubai.

God forbid if you are involved in an accident. Don’t panic, simply contact the city police and the car rental company at the earliest to get as much help as you can.

Asia Rent a Car
Tel: +971 4 3961111/2244786
E-mail: asiacars@emirates.net.ae

Autolease Rent a Car
Tel: +971 4 2244900
Mobile: +971 50 6513073
E-mail: autolese@emirates.net.ae

Budget Rent a Car
Tel: +971 4 2245192/2244095
Toll Free: +971 800 222777
E-mail: reservations@budget-uae.com

Diamond Lease Rent a Car
Tel: +971 4 2200325
E-mail: carlease@emirate.net.ae

EuropCar
Tel: +971 4 2245240/2245226
E-mail: eurocar@emirate.net.ae

Fast Rent a Car
Tel: +971 4 2829933
E-mail: suresh@fastuae.com

Hertz Rent a Car
Tel: +971 4 2060206
Toll free +971 800 HERTZ (43789)
E-mail: marketing@hertz.ae

National Rent a Car
Tel: +971 4 43381010
E-mail: aahmad@national-ae.com

Patriot Rent a Car
Tel: +971 4 2244244
E-mail: patriot@emirates.net.ae

Sixt Rent a Car
Tel: +971 4 2200777
E-mail: sixt@gargash.co.ae

• These days, traffic hassles and road congestion’s in Dubai have left an imprint on world maps. So be smart enough to get out in the sun only after the peak hours, which are from 8.00 am in the morning and from 4.00 pm in the afternoon.

• During the office hours roads in Dubai look like ant colonies where crossing a simple bridge is unimaginable. If the visiting place is nearby, go walking rather than a car whereby you will escape the experience of getting flustered in a car.

• While hiring a car check the credentials of the company. Rely on companies that the Dubai Airport recommends, most of which are International brands that have made their presence felt in the city.

• An International Driving Permit (IDP) plus a standard license is compulsory to hire a car.  While driving, you will notice that Dubai comes with ‘only’ six lane highways with no sidewalks or free parking places. Shell out about one or two Dirham per hour and five for two hours for paid parking. Do not take a risk by parking at a construction sand pit thinking it is free. The Dubai Police will sweetly rob you of 500 Dirham. The Arab Emirates are strict disciplinarians, so stay in speed limits of 100 to 120 kms per hour.

Renting a car is the best way to travel around Dubai, as Public transport is very poor, unreliable and Taxi fares are too expensive.

International car rental companies:
International companies such as Herts, Budget have setup their offices in Dubai, who offers best, reliable services. However, the charges are a bit higher. Best is to book it through an agent, you will save some money.

Local car rental companies:
There are many local car rental companies in Dubai and renting a car through them is cheaper. However you got to be very careful about the quality of their services. They may rent you a bad vehicle or may not give you a vehicle on time.

Essential documents for renting a car:

1. If you have a visitor visa and holding American, Australian or European passport you can use your driving license to drive around Dubai.
2. If you have a visitor visa and holding a passport other than above mentioned countries, then you must have an International driving license to drive around Dubai.
3. If you don’t have international driving license, you may still be able to obtain a temporary driving license.
4. Please note, cars are left-hand drive, and driving in the Dubai is on the right-hand side (similar to Europe, US and Canada)
5. From March 2008 minimum fine for drink-driving is 20,000 dhs and a year in jail. As well a fine of 5000 dhs and up to 3 months jail for driving without a license.