UAE residents rent a car in Dubai on a UAE driving licence and Emirates ID: once you hold a residence visa you cannot drive on a foreign licence, even with an International Driving Permit. Everything else works as for any renter: a refundable deposit from AED 1,000, insurance included and 250 km a day included. For residents the monthly rate usually makes the most sense, and ours starts at 2,200 AED for 30 days with free delivery in Dubai.
How renting as a resident differs from renting as a visitor
| Visitor | UAE resident | |
|---|---|---|
| Licence | National licence from a recognised country, or national licence plus IDP | UAE licence only |
| ID | Passport with visa or entry stamp | Emirates ID |
| Typical length | A few days to two weeks | A month or longer, or a weekend |
| Typical use | Touring the country | Commuting, the first months after moving, replacing your own car |
We check visa status at handover. If you have just arrived and are still on a visit visa, the visitor rules apply. Once your residence visa is issued, you need a UAE licence.
Getting a UAE licence
If your licence was issued by a country on the recognised list, such as an EU state, the UK, the US, Canada, Australia, Japan, Turkey or a Gulf state, you can usually convert it at an RTA centre in a day without a test: an eye check, a translation and a fee. Check the current fee with the RTA.
If your country is not on the list, for example India, Pakistan, the Philippines, Russia or Kazakhstan, you need theory and practical lessons at a driving school, which takes a month or more. During that time a resident cannot rent on a foreign licence, so plan for it when you relocate.
Monthly prices
Our real prices as of November 2026, for 30 days. The current price is always on the car page.
| Car | Month, AED | About AED a day | Extra km, AED |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota Raize 2024 | 2,200 | 73 | 1 |
| Mazda 3 2025 | 3,300 | 110 | 1 |
| Hyundai Sonata 2024 | 3,500 | 117 | 1 |
| Toyota Camry 2025 | 3,950 | 132 | 1 |
| Toyota RAV4 2024 | 4,400 | 147 | 2 |
| Mitsubishi Outlander 2024, 7 seats | 4,400 | 147 | 1 |
| Tesla Model 3 2024 | 5,000 | 167 | 2 |
| Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 2024 | 8,000 | 267 | 2 |
| Mercedes-Benz E200 2024 | 10,000 | 333 | 2 |
For comparison, a Toyota Camry costs 180 AED by the day and about 132 AED a day on the monthly rate. Some partner cars are cheaper still per month, such as the Kia Picanto 2024 at 2,400 AED or the Nissan Sunny 2024 at 2,650 AED, but they have their own terms shown on the car page: a 1,000 AED deposit, a minimum rental period and no driving to Oman. Delivery for partner cars is 80 AED each way and free on rentals of 30 days or more.
What a monthly rental includes
- Insurance is included on most cars.
- 250 km a day. That is plenty for commuting: Dubai Marina to Downtown is about 25 km each way. Beyond the limit, each kilometre is charged at the car's rate.
- Delivery and return anywhere in Dubai are free on rentals of 7 days or more. If you live in Sharjah, Abu Dhabi or another emirate, ask us about delivery when booking.
- Deposit: from AED 1,000 on every car, refundable; the exact amount is shown on its page.
Fuel, Salik tolls and speeding fines are paid separately at actual cost. Salik is charged per crossing, 6.30 AED at peak hours and 4.20 AED at other times, so a daily commute along Sheikh Zayed Road adds a noticeable amount over a month. Include it in your budget.
When renting beats buying
For a newcomer, renting is often the smarter option for the first months:
- No large upfront payment and no waiting for car loan approval.
- No registration, insurance renewals or servicing to arrange.
- You can switch to a different class if your family, job or neighbourhood changes.
- If your plans change after six months, you are not selling a car at a loss.
- You get time to learn what you actually need here: a sedan for the city or an SUV for mountain and desert weekends.
If you are staying for years and know which car you want, buying or leasing may work out cheaper. Our separate article on long-term rental versus leasing compares the options in detail.
Weekend rentals and cars for visiting family
Residents also rent for short periods: a convertible or a 4x4 for a weekend, a people carrier when relatives fly in. Examples: Ford Mustang EcoBoost Convertible 2024 at 300 AED a day, Kia Carnival Noblesse 2022 with 8 seats at 298 AED a day, Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 2024 at 400 AED a day. For rentals under 7 days, delivery and return together cost 210 AED, or you can collect the car from our office in Princess Tower, Dubai Marina, open daily from 10:00 to 19:00.
How to book
Choose the car and dates on the site and send a request with the form on the car page, or write to info@rentalcars-dubai.ae. Bring your UAE licence and Emirates ID to the handover. Drivers must be 21 or older with at least one year of experience. If you want to extend the rental or switch cars, agree it with us in writing.
