Ukrainians come to Dubai both from Ukraine and from EU countries where they live and work. Three things matter when you rent a car: which licence you hold and which country issued it, how you will pay, and which car to choose. Here they are in order, without padding.
Licence and IDP: the main rule
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. In our licence guide Ukraine is listed among the countries whose citizens need an IDP. The national licence is still required: an IDP is a translation and is invalid without the original.
A key point for those who live in Europe: what counts is the country that issued the licence, not your citizenship. If your licence was issued in an EU country, it is accepted without an IDP, because all 27 EU states are on the list. If your licence is Ukrainian, bring an IDP. If it was issued elsewhere and you are not sure, write to us before booking.
At home a Ukrainian IDP is issued at a Ministry of Internal Affairs service centre, usually on the same day. 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 version costs AED 500 and is ready the next day. The licence should also have Latin-script entries or a Latin-script duplicate. Check that at home, not at the handover desk.
Without the right IDP, a police check can mean a fine of up to AED 2,000 and an impounded car, and an insurer may refuse to pay after an accident. There is no reason to take that risk.
What to bring
- Passport with a visa or entry stamp.
- National licence and an IDP if the licence is Ukrainian.
- A way to pay: cash, a bank card or an e-wallet.
If a second person will drive, their documents are needed at handover and they are added to the contract. If you hold a UAE residence visa, a foreign licence is not valid and you need a local one.
Payment
We accept cash, bank cards and e-wallets. Most cars need no deposit, and if a car does need one, it is shown on its page, so nothing is blocked on your card as a security deposit. When you pay by card, the rental amount may be held as a pre-authorisation and charged at the end.
Cards issued in Ukraine or in your country of residence usually work abroad, but limits and permission for foreign transactions are set by your bank. Check them before you travel and keep a backup: cash in US dollars or euros. Exchange rates are better at an exchange house in a mall 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hyundai Tucson 2023, 5 seats | 139 | 890 | 2,890 |
| Toyota Camry 2025, 5 seats | 180 | 1,170 | 3,950 |
| Kia Sportage 2025, 5 seats | 190 | 1,240 | 4,200 |
| Hyundai Santa Fe 2024, 7 seats | 230 | 1,380 | 4,600 |
| Tesla Model 3 2024, 5 seats | 250 | 1,500 | 5,000 |
| Kia Carnival Noblesse 2022, 8 seats | 199 | 1,390 | 4,990 |
For a couple or a small family the Tucson, Camry or Sportage is enough. A family with children and luggage will be more comfortable in the Santa Fe or Carnival. If you want a quiet electric car, there is the Tesla Model 3. If a car has its own deposit or minimum period, it is written on its page.
Where to drive
From Dubai it is easy to reach Abu Dhabi and the Sheikh Zayed Mosque (about 140 km, around an hour and a half on the highway), Hatta in the mountains (about 130 km) and Al Ain (about 130 km on a straight highway). All three routes are on good asphalt and need no four-wheel drive. 250 km per day is included, so plan longer trips with the mileage in mind.
Abu Dhabi has its own toll system, Darb, separate from Dubai's Salik. Details are in our article on Abu Dhabi toll roads.
Rules 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 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.
