AED 110
per day- 5 seats
- 3 bags
- Automatic
AED 650 per week · AED 2,600 per month
Rental guide
Driving in Dubai as a Visitor
Driving in Dubai is easy to get used to. Roads are modern, signs are in Arabic and English, and traffic drives on the right. The parts that are different from home are the toll system, the number of speed cameras and how fines reach you in a rental car.
Written by the Najd Rent a Car team. Last reviewed .
What are the basic road rules?
Speed limits are posted and enforced by fixed and mobile radar. Limits change frequently along the same road, so watch the signs instead of following the flow.
- Drive on the right, overtake on the left.
- Seat belts are compulsory for every passenger, front and rear.
- Children up to four years old must be in a child seat.
- Using a handheld phone while driving is an offence.
- There is zero tolerance for alcohol. Do not drive after drinking any amount.
Lane discipline matters on the big highways. Slower traffic keeps right, and tailgating and sudden lane changes are fined.
How do Salik tolls work in a rental car?
Salik is Dubai’s electronic road toll. There are no booths and you do not stop. A tag on the windscreen is read each time the car passes under a toll gate, and the charge is recorded automatically. Charges vary by time of day.
In a rental car the tag belongs to the rental company. Your crossings are added up and billed to you, either at the end of the rental or from your deposit. Ask how each crossing is charged and whether there is any administration fee on top.
How does paid parking work?
Most street parking in busy areas of Dubai is paid during set hours, with zones marked by signs showing a zone code. You pay at a meter, by SMS or through the parking app, using the car plate number and the zone code. Malls and hotels usually have their own car parks with separate rules.
Do not park on pavements, in front of driveways or in spaces reserved for people of determination. Illegally parked cars are fined and may be towed.
What happens if I get a traffic fine?
Fines are issued against the car’s plate number and sent to the registered owner, which is the rental company. The company then charges the fine to the renter named on the agreement. Some fines also carry black points or vehicle impound, and impound costs can be charged to you.
Because fines may appear after you have gone home, this is the main reason deposits are held for a time after return. If you believe a fine was issued in error, ask the rental company for the details of the offence, including the time and location.
Official sources
Rules change. Check the current position with the authority concerned before you travel.
Cars mentioned in this guide
AED 175
per day- 7 seats
- 3 bags
- Automatic
AED 1,200 per week · AED 4,200 per month
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Driving in Dubai: questions people ask
Which side of the road do you drive on in Dubai?
The right. Cars are left-hand drive.
Do I pay Salik tolls myself in a rental car?
Not at the gate. The toll is recorded on the car’s tag and the rental company bills you for your crossings.
Can I drink any alcohol and drive in Dubai?
No. The UAE has a zero tolerance policy for drinking and driving, with severe penalties.
Is driving in Dubai difficult for a first-time visitor?
Most visitors adapt within a day. Roads are wide and well signed. The adjustments are fast multi-lane highways, frequent speed cameras and exits that are costly to miss. Use navigation and move toward your exit lane early.
Can tourists drive a rental car in Dubai?
Yes. Visitors with an accepted home licence, or an International Driving Permit where one is required, can rent and drive in Dubai and across the UAE.
Still have a question?
Call or WhatsApp 058 595 2763. Same number for both.