Citizens of Bangladesh rent cars in Dubai for holidays, for family visits and for business trips. The documents are standard: a passport, a driving licence, age 21 or older and at least one year behind the wheel. But drivers from Bangladesh face one thing most visitors do not: at home traffic keeps to the left, and in the UAE it keeps to the right. This article covers that, plus licences and payment.
Licence and International Driving Permit
The UAE rule is simple: a visitor drives on a national licence if the issuing country is on the recognised list, and on a national licence plus an International Driving Permit (IDP) if it is not. Bangladesh is not on our list of countries accepted without an IDP, and for most countries in Asia and Africa the scheme is licence plus IDP. So bring both documents.
An IDP translates your licence, it does not replace it. Without the original it is invalid, and at a police stop you will be asked for both. Driving without a valid licence can mean a fine of up to AED 2,000 and an impounded car, and an insurer may refuse to pay after an accident.
How an IDP is issued in Bangladesh depends on the issuing authority, so confirm the process at home in advance. If you run out of time, we can arrange a digital IDP in Dubai: you need your passport, licence and a photo. It costs AED 250 and arrives on your phone the same day. A printed one costs AED 500 and is ready the next day. If you are unsure about your licence, write to us before booking.
One note for people who live in the UAE. With a residence visa a foreign licence is not valid, even with an IDP, and you need a local one. Rental companies hand cars to residents only against a local licence.
Switching from left-hand to right-hand traffic
In Bangladesh the steering wheel is on the right and traffic keeps left. In the UAE the wheel is on the left and traffic keeps right. The first half hour is the hardest, and after that most drivers settle in.
- First drive. Start on a wide, well-marked highway rather than the narrow streets of an old district, and choose a calm hour, not rush hour.
- Roundabouts. In the UAE they run anti-clockwise and you give way to traffic already on the roundabout. Take the first few slower than feels necessary.
- Indicator and wipers. The stalks are often mirrored from what you are used to, so for the first day or two the wipers may come on instead of the indicator.
- Judging width. Sitting on the left, you feel the right side of the car less well. Leave extra room when parking and overtaking.
- Overtaking. You overtake on the left, and keep right when you are not overtaking.
If you are not confident, pick an automatic with good visibility and a rear camera, and make your first drive a short one. If you would rather not drive at all, we also offer a car with a driver, described in our separate article on chauffeur hire.
Payment
We accept cash, bank cards and e-wallets. Most cars need no deposit, and if a car needs one, it is shown on its page. When you pay by card, the rental amount may be held as a pre-authorisation and charged at the end.
Cards from some countries are limited for international payments. Before you travel, ask your bank whether foreign transactions are enabled and what your limit is. If in doubt, the most reliable option is cash in US dollars, changed at an exchange house in a mall rather than at the airport.
Which car to choose
Prices are as of October 2026, and the current price is on each car page. All the cars in the table have no deposit, insurance included and 250 km per day.
| Car | Per day, AED | Per week, AED | Per month, AED |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota Raize 2024, 5 seats | 109 | 750 | 2,490 |
| Mazda 3 2025, 5 seats | 150 | 980 | 3,300 |
| Toyota Corolla Cross 2025, 5 seats | 170 | 1,100 | 3,750 |
| Nissan X-Trail 2025, 7 seats | 200 | 1,300 | 4,400 |
| Honda Odyssey 2024, 7 seats | 290 | 1,740 | 5,800 |
| Toyota Hiace 13 Seater 2023, 13 seats | 300 | 1,800 | 6,000 |
For a first trip compact cars are easy: the Raize and Mazda 3 are simple to park. For a family visit the X-Trail or Odyssey works well, and for a larger group the Hiace. If a car has its own deposit or minimum period, it is shown on its page.
Rules, fines and tolls
Enforcement in Dubai runs mainly through cameras. They typically start recording from about 21 km/h over the limit, and the fine arrives electronically. On Sheikh Zayed Road the limit is 100 or 120 km/h depending on the section. Do not tailgate and do not use a phone while driving.
Fines and Salik tolls are paid by the renter at actual cost. Salik is AED 6.30 at peak hours (6:00 to 10:00 and 16:00 to 20:00 on weekdays and Saturday), AED 4.20 at other times, and free from 1:00 to 6:00.
Delivery and the office
Delivery and return anywhere in Dubai are free on rentals of 7 days or more. For shorter rentals delivery costs AED 210 for both directions together. The minimum rental is one to two days. Driving to Oman should be agreed when you book, and it is not allowed on partner cars. Our office is in Princess Tower, Dubai Marina, open daily from 10:00 to 19:00, with Russian-speaking support.
