Documents Needed to Rent a Car in Dubai: A Checklist

If you know the documents needed to rent a car in Dubai before you book, the handover goes faster, and you avoid that annoying moment when the car arrives and one piece of paperwork is missing. The exact list depends mostly on whether you’re visiting the UAE or living here. Here’s what tourists, residents and GCC nationals usually need, plus notes on licences, International Driving Permits, deposits and what to prepare if you’d rather be driven.

UAE licensing rules, and the list of countries whose licences are accepted, can change. Confirm the details with the RTA (Roads and Transport Authority) or with your rental company before you travel.

Documents needed to rent a car in Dubai: the quick checklist

Most rental companies in Dubai ask for a similar core set of documents. This is what each type of renter typically needs:

Document	Tourists / visitors	UAE residents	GCC nationals
Passport	Required (original)	Usually requested as a copy	Passport or national ID
Visa / entry stamp	Required	Residence visa (linked to Emirates ID)	Not usually needed
Driving licence	Valid home-country licence	Valid UAE driving licence	Valid GCC licence
International Driving Permit	Needed if your licence isn’t on the accepted list	Not applicable	Not usually needed
Emirates ID	Not applicable	Required	Not applicable
Payment method for deposit	Required	Required	Required

Documents for tourists renting a car in Dubai

Visiting Dubai on holiday or for business? Have these ready.

1. Valid passport

For visitors, the original passport is the main identity document, and it needs to be valid for the whole rental period. The name on it should match the name on your driving licence and payment card exactly. Small differences, such as a missing middle name, can sometimes cause delays, so check this before you travel.

2. Visit visa or entry stamp

Rental companies need to see that you entered the UAE legally and are here as a visitor. Depending on your nationality, that’s either a visa issued before you travel or an entry stamp you get on arrival. Keep a clear photo of it on your phone as well.

3. Your home-country driving licence

Visitors from a number of countries can drive a rental car in Dubai on their valid home licence. This generally includes licences from many European countries, the UK, the US, Canada, Australia and several others. The accepted list is set by UAE authorities and updated from time to time, so check the current version with the RTA or ask the rental team before you book. Your licence should be:

• The original physical card itself, not a photocopy or screenshot
• Valid for the entire rental period
• Held long enough to meet the rental company’s minimum driving experience rules

4. International Driving Permit (if required)

If your licence isn’t from a country on the accepted list, you’ll usually need an International Driving Permit (IDP). An IDP is a translation of your licence and doesn’t replace it, so you must carry both. IDPs are normally issued in your home country and are usually difficult to get once you’ve arrived in Dubai, so arrange yours before you fly.

5. Payment card for the security deposit

Almost every rental in Dubai involves a security deposit, which covers things like toll charges, traffic fines or damage that comes up during or after the rental. The amount depends on the car and is typically higher for supercars and high-end SUVs. Companies also differ in the payment methods they accept, so ask the rental team which cards or methods they take and what the deposit will be for your chosen car.

Documents for UAE residents

Once you hold UAE residency the paperwork gets simpler, but the licence rules change. Residents are generally expected to drive on a valid UAE driving licence instead of a foreign one. If you’ve recently moved to Dubai and are still converting your licence, check your situation with the RTA or the rental company before booking.

Residents should typically have:

• Emirates ID, your main identification document as a resident
• A valid UAE driving licence (the original card, valid for the rental period)
• A passport copy with your residence visa, which some companies ask for alongside the Emirates ID
• A payment card for the deposit, as with visitors

Documents for GCC nationals and GCC residents

Citizens of GCC countries can generally rent and drive in the UAE with their valid GCC driving licence and national ID or passport. Residents of other GCC countries who hold a GCC-issued licence may face different conditions depending on their nationality and licence type, so confirm the rules for your case before you travel.

Other requirements to know before you book

Minimum age and driving experience

Rental companies set minimum age and licence-history requirements, and these are often stricter for high-performance cars. The conditions for an everyday sedan may differ from those for a Lamborghini or Ferrari. If you’re a younger driver or recently licensed, ask the rental team what applies to the specific car you want.

Additional drivers

Anyone sharing the driving usually needs to provide the same documents as the main renter and be added to the rental agreement. Driving a rental car without being listed can cause problems with insurance, so register every driver in advance.

Tolls (Salik) and traffic fines

Dubai has an automatic toll system called Salik, and there are a lot of traffic cameras around the city. Toll charges and any fines from your rental period are typically passed on to the renter, often deducted from the deposit. Speed limits and fines are set by the authorities and can change. Drive carefully and check the rental agreement for how these charges are handled.

Read the rental agreement

Before signing, go through the terms on insurance, mileage, deposit refunds and fuel. You can read Noor Altareeq’s general terms and conditions before you book so nothing catches you out.

What if you don’t want to drive? Chauffeur option

If your licence isn’t accepted in the UAE, you don’t have an IDP, or you simply don’t feel like driving, a car with a chauffeur is a practical alternative. It’s also a popular choice for weddings, airport transfers and business trips, when you want to keep your mind on the occasion. Because a professional driver does the driving, you won’t need to show a driving licence. You’ll still be asked for basic identification and booking details, and the team will confirm exactly what’s needed.

Tips for a smooth handover

• Send clear photos of your documents when you book, so the rental team can check everything before the car is delivered.
• Bring the originals. Copies help with the pre-checks, but original documents are usually required at handover.
• Your passport, licence and payment card should all show the same name.
• Check that your licence, visa and passport won’t expire during the rental.
• If you need an IDP, get it in your home country before travelling.
• Confirm the deposit amount, the payment method and the refund timeline upfront.

How Noor Altareeq Rent A Car can help

Noor Altareeq Rent A Car is a Dubai-based luxury car rental company with its own fleet of supercars, luxury SUVs, 7-seater family SUVs, convertibles and everyday cars. We offer daily, weekly and monthly rentals, self-drive or with a chauffeur, plus decorated wedding cars for special occasions.

Not sure which documents apply to you? Message us before you book and we’ll tell you exactly what to prepare for the car you have in mind. Delivery is free anywhere inside Dubai, and with airport delivery and pickup your car can be ready when you land. Delivery to Abu Dhabi is also available for a fee.

Some of our most requested cars:

• Lamborghini Urus 2025, a super-SUV with everyday comfort and serious performance
• Land Rover Defender 110 2024, rugged and spacious for city and desert trips
• Chevrolet Corvette Z06 2024, a true American supercar
• Range Rover Vogue 2025, refined luxury for business and family travel
• Range Rover Sport 2024, sporty and comfortable, and a good fit for longer stays

Our office is on Sheikh Zayed Road, between the Sheraton Grand Hotel and The H Dubai, near DIFC and the World Trade Centre. You can learn more about our team on our website.

Ready to book, or have a question about your documents? Message us on WhatsApp at +971 54 448 2521 or use our contact page. We’ll confirm the paperwork you need and send current rates and availability for your dates.

Frequently asked questions

Can tourists rent a car in Dubai with their home licence?

Yes, if the licence is from a country on the UAE’s accepted list. If it isn’t, you’ll generally need an International Driving Permit alongside your original licence. Check the current list with the RTA or the rental team.

Do I need an International Driving Permit in Dubai?

Only if your home licence isn’t accepted directly in the UAE. In that case, get one in your home country before travelling and carry it together with your original licence.

What documents do UAE residents need to rent a car?

Residents typically need their Emirates ID, a valid UAE driving licence and a payment method for the security deposit. Some companies also ask for a passport copy with the residence visa.

Is a security deposit required to rent a car in Dubai?

Almost always. The amount depends on the car and is usually higher for supercars and luxury SUVs. Contact the rental team for the exact deposit and the payment methods they accept.

Can I rent a car with a driver if I don’t have a valid licence?

Yes. With a chauffeur service a professional driver does the driving, so you don’t need to show a driving licence. You’ll still be asked for basic identification, and the team will confirm the details.