Filipinos in the UAE fall into two big groups: those who come as visitors, and those who live and work here and are joined by relatives from home. The rules differ for each, and that is the best place to start, because confusion here costs the most.
Licence and IDP if you are visiting
The Philippines is not on the list of countries whose national licences are accepted in the UAE without extra documents. So you need your national licence and an International Driving Permit (IDP) together. An IDP is a translation, not a standalone document, and it is invalid without the original licence. A police officer at a stop will ask for both.
It is simpler and cheaper to get the IDP at home. In the Philippines it is issued through the LTO (Land Transportation Office) or the Automobile Association Philippines. The one you need is the IDP under the 1968 Vienna Convention, which the UAE recognises.
A practical note: some Dubai companies hand cars to Filipino visitors on a national licence alone if it has Latin-script entries. But at a police stop, after an accident and in an insurance claim the missing IDP becomes a problem: the insurer can refuse to pay and the company will pass the repair bill to the renter. We advise not to take the risk.
If you forgot or ran out of time, we can arrange a digital IDP in Dubai the same day: you need your passport, national licence and a photo. It costs AED 250 and arrives on your phone the same day. A printed version costs AED 500 and is ready the next day. The IDP is valid for three years. This is a legal service through a licensed operator.
If you live and work in the UAE
With a residence visa you cannot drive on a foreign licence, even with an IDP. A local UAE licence is required. Rental companies require it from residents and check visa status at handover. So if you work in Dubai, renting on your Philippine licence will not work. Relatives who visit you on a tourist visa can rent a car themselves, while the resident needs to get a local licence first.
Other documents
- Passport with a valid UAE visa or entry stamp.
- Age and experience: 21 or older with at least a year of driving. There is no young-driver fee. A few supercars have stricter terms, shown on the car page.
- A second driver: their licence, IDP and passport are needed at handover so they can be added to the contract.
What suits a family or group
Filipino travellers often come in a big party: parents, children, relatives. So look at seats and boot space. Prices are as of October 2026, and the current price is on each car page.
| Car | Day, AED | Week, AED | Month, AED |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota Raize 2024, 5 seats | 109 | 750 | 2,490 |
| Toyota Hilux 2025, pickup | 230 | 1,380 | 4,600 |
| Toyota Fortuner 2024, 7 seats | 280 | 1,680 | 5,600 |
| Toyota Hiace 2023, 13 seats | 300 | 1,800 | 6,000 |
| Hyundai Staria 2024, 11 seats | 350 | 2,100 | 7,000 |
There are budget seven-seaters too, but they come from a partner company with its own terms: the Suzuki Ertiga 2024 at AED 115 a day, the Mitsubishi Xpander 2024 at AED 125 and the Toyota Innova 2024 at AED 145. For these the deposit is AED 1,000, the minimum rental is 3 or 7 days (each page shows it), delivery costs AED 80 each way and is free from 30 days. Partner cars cannot be driven to Oman. Check the terms on the specific car page.
Payment
We accept cash, bank cards and e-wallets. Before travelling, check with your bank that your card works abroad. When you pay by card, the rental amount may be held as a pre-authorisation and charged at the end. Most cars need no deposit, and if one does, it is shown on its page. Insurance is included, and 250 km per day is included.
Driving in the UAE
The Philippines and the UAE both drive on the right with the wheel on the left, so there is nothing to relearn. What differs is the roads: they are fast and multi-lane. Sheikh Zayed Road is posted at 100 or 120 km/h depending on the stretch, cameras in Dubai typically record from about 21 km/h over the limit, and Abu Dhabi has no margin. The fine arrives electronically. Change lanes carefully, check your blind spot, and on large roundabouts pick your lane early.
Salik toll gates cost AED 6.30 at peak times Monday to Saturday (6:00 to 10:00 and 16:00 to 20:00), AED 4.20 otherwise and on Sundays, and are free from 1:00 to 6:00. Salik and fines are paid by the renter at actual cost with no markup. On rentals of 7 days or more on standard cars, delivery and return anywhere in Dubai are free, and for shorter ones they cost AED 210 together. Our office is in Princess Tower, Dubai Marina, open daily 10:00 to 19:00, with Russian-speaking support.
