Documents You Need to Rent a Car in Dubai as a Tourist
The Core Documents Every Tourist Needs
As a visitor you need three things to rent: a valid passport, your UAE entry visa or entry stamp, and a driving licence the UAE accepts: either an international driving permit (IDP) or a national licence from an approved country. A refundable security deposit is also taken by credit card at pickup, so bring the card in the driver’s name.
The minimum age is 21 for economy and mid-size cars and 25 for SUVs, seven-seaters and premium models. Drivers under 25 may see a small young-driver surcharge on the higher categories, so it is worth checking when you book.
When You Need an International Driving Permit
An IDP is essentially a certified translation of your home licence. You need one when your national licence is not in English or Arabic, or when it comes from a country the UAE does not accept on its own. It is inexpensive, must be obtained in your home country before you travel, and is always carried alongside (never instead of) your original licence.
If your licence already meets the UAE’s requirements directly, you can skip the IDP entirely. When in doubt, send us a photo of your licence on WhatsApp and we will tell you before you arrive whether an IDP is required.
GCC Residents and UAE Licence Holders
Drivers from GCC countries, the US, the UK, most of the EU and several other approved nations can typically rent on their national licence without an IDP. UAE residents have the simplest path of all: a valid Emirates ID and a UAE driving licence are enough.
Nationalities not on the approved list are the ones who will need an IDP to drive here. The list is broad, so most visitors are covered, but it is always worth a quick check rather than an unwelcome surprise at the counter.
What Happens at the Rental Counter
When you collect the car we verify your passport, visa and licence, take the refundable deposit on a credit card, and have the named driver sign the rental agreement. The whole handover is quick when your documents are in order.
To keep it smooth, have everything ready before pickup and make sure the card used for the deposit belongs to the driver. Booking through Yes Sure means most of the paperwork is agreed over WhatsApp in advance, so there is very little left to do when you arrive.
