Dubai is easy to explore by car: the Marina, Downtown, the beaches and the malls are in different parts of the city, and trips to neighbouring emirates or Hatta are simpler behind the wheel than by taxi. For visitors from Israel the paperwork is simple, because the licence is accepted without extra documents. Here is what to bring and how to choose a car.
An Israeli licence is accepted without an IDP
Israel is on the list of countries whose national licences are recognised in the UAE without an International Driving Permit (IDP). The list is approved by the Ministry of Interior and applies in every emirate. There is one condition on script: the licence must be in Latin script or carry a Latin-script duplicate. An Israeli card normally has English text next to the Hebrew, but if you are unsure, write to us before booking and we will check.
We hand over the car on these documents, and no separate permit is needed. The rule applies to visitors: once you hold a UAE residence visa, a foreign licence stops being valid and you need a local one.
- Passport with a valid UAE visa or entry stamp. Entry conditions are set by the authorities, so check them before you travel. They do not affect the rental itself.
- Israeli licence, valid for the whole rental.
- Age and experience: from 21 years old with at least one year of driving. There is no young-driver fee. Some supercars have stricter terms shown on the car page.
- Second driver: their licence and passport are needed at handover.
What is familiar and what is not
Traffic keeps to the right with the wheel on the left, roundabouts run counterclockwise and speeds are in kilometres per hour. It is the same as at home, so there is no adjustment period. The differences are in the details.
- Speed. Sheikh Zayed Road is posted at 100 or 120 km/h depending on the section. Cameras in Dubai typically start recording from about 21 km/h over the limit, while Abu Dhabi has no tolerance margin.
- Scale. Highways are wide, with five or six lanes, and exits come quickly. Read the signs early rather than at the last moment.
- Parking. Paid almost everywhere and linked to the number plate through an app or meter.
- Heat. In summer a parked car heats up so much that the steering wheel burns your hands. Park in the shade or in a covered car park.
Trips between the emirates
In one day you can drive from Dubai to Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman and Ras Al Khaimah. The roads between the emirates are paved and well marked, and four-wheel drive is not needed for them. For the desert and off-road driving, ask us which car is suitable, and partner cars cannot be taken on sand. With 250 km per day included, it is worth planning longer routes in advance.
Which car to choose
For a first trip a familiar compact or crossover is enough, and a group will want a seven-seat SUV. Prices are as of October 2026, and the current price is on each car page.
| Car | Day, AED | Week, AED | Month, AED |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mazda 3 2025, 153 hp | 150 | 980 | 3,300 |
| Hyundai Sonata 2024, 191 hp | 160 | 1,040 | 3,500 |
| Kia Sportage 2025, 156 hp | 190 | 1,240 | 4,200 |
| Mitsubishi Outlander 2024, 7 seats | 200 | 1,300 | 4,400 |
| Honda CR-V 2024, 190 hp, all-wheel drive | 220 | 1,320 | 4,400 |
| Hyundai Santa Fe 2024, 7 seats | 230 | 1,380 | 4,600 |
| Tesla Model Y 2024, 299 hp | 350 | 2,100 | 7,000 |
| Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 2024, 7 seats | 400 | 2,400 | 8,000 |
For city driving the Mazda 3 or Hyundai Sonata is enough. A family with luggage will be more comfortable in the Honda CR-V, and a group of six or seven fits in the Santa Fe or Outlander. The Tesla Model Y is good in the city and on longer trips, but plan in advance where you will charge.
Payment and rental terms
We accept cash, bank cards and e-wallets. Before you travel, 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. If one does, it is shown on its page: some cars come from a partner company with its own terms, a deposit of AED 1,000 and a minimum rental of 3 or 7 days. Insurance is included in the price, and 250 km per day is included.
Tolls, delivery and the office
Salik toll gates have no barriers, and a tag is built into the car. A crossing costs AED 6.30 at peak times Monday to Saturday (6:00 to 10:00 and 16:00 to 20:00), AED 4.20 otherwise, a flat AED 4.20 on Sundays and is 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, 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. Ask about driving to Oman when booking: it is not allowed on partner cars.
