By car in the UAE
Car rental in the United Arab Emirates is a great way to see the country on your own. The cities are scattered, there are convenient road connections between the emirates, and public transport is limited outside Dubai and Abu Dhabi. If you want to visit beaches, the desert, historical sites, or just get around easily, a car will come in handy.
Car rental requirements
To rent a car in the UAE, you must:
- Minimum age: usually 21, sometimes 25 for mid-range and premium cars.
- Driving experience: 1 year or more.
- International driver's license (IDP) — recommended for Ukrainians, as Ukrainian licenses without an IDP may not be recognized by most rental companies.
- Foreign passport with a valid visa or entry stamp.
- Bank card with sufficient limit — for a deposit, which is blocked for the duration of the rental.
📌 Tip: be sure to check that the name on your IDP, passport, and bank card match — otherwise, you may not be able to rent a car.
Popular rental companies
Both international operators (Sixt, Europcar, Avis, Hertz, Dollar, Thrifty) and local companies, which often offer more favorable rates, operate in the UAE: Speedy Drive, Quick Lease, Fast Rent a Car, Moosa, Yeti, Diamondlease.
Where to find a car:
- Aggregator websites: Localrent, DiscoverCars, OneClickDrive, Rentalcars.
- Renting at the airport is more expensive (10–15% extra).
- In Dubai, you can find companies that offer free car delivery to your hotel.
Rental costs in 2026
- Economy class (Toyota Yaris, Kia Picanto): 70–100 AED/day (≈ 19–27 USD)
- Compact sedans and crossovers (Nissan Sunny, Corolla, Kicks): 120–180 AED/day (≈ 33–49 USD)
- SUV (Mitsubishi Pajero, Nissan X-Trail): 200–300 AED/day (≈ 55–80 USD)
- Luxury (Range Rover, BMW X6, Porsche Cayenne): from 500 AED/day (≈ 135 USD) and above
The price depends on:
- the season (high season is October–April);
- the rental period (7+ days is cheaper);
- the car pick-up location.
Deposit and insurance
- Deposit: blocked on a bank card (1000–3000 AED ≈ 270–800 USD), depending on the car class.
- Standard insurance (CDW) included — with a deductible (i.e., part of the damage paid by the customer in the event of an accident).
- Additional coverage (SCDW / Full Insurance) — costs 20–50 AED/day, reduces or cancels the deductible.
- Fines for violations (speeding, parking) may be deducted from the deposit if not paid during your stay.
📌 Tip: carefully check the car when picking it up — record any scratches/defects in photos or videos to avoid disputes when returning it.
Fuel
At gas stations (ENOC, ADNOC, Emarat):
- Gasoline 91 / 95 / 98 — available.
- Price in 2026: 2.85–3.15 AED/l (≈ 0.78–0.86 USD).
- Payment — by card or cash. Often, the attendant will serve the car themselves.
Travel between emirates
You can travel freely between Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ras al-Khaimah, etc. Travel to Oman is only possible with permission from the rental company and additional insurance (arranged separately).
What is Salik?
Salik is an electronic automatic toll collection system that operates exclusively in the Emirate of Dubai. It has completely replaced traditional toll booths: there are no more barriers or traffic jams at the entrance — all payments are made automatically when passing under special arches.
Every car traveling on Dubai's roads must have a Salik tag — a sticker with a chip that is installed on the windshield.
How does it work?
Salik electronic arches are installed on all key roads in Dubai. When you pass under such an arch, the fee is automatically debited from your account — 4 AED for each arch (≈ 1.1 USD).
- The amount is debited for each trip — there are no restrictions on the number or time interval between trips.
- The time of day does not matter — the fare is fixed 24/7.
- A penalty of 100 AED applies if your Salik account has a negative balance or the sticker is not activated.
For tourists and car renters
If you rent a car in Dubai, in 99% of cases:
The Salik tag is already installed on the car. You do not need to register or top up your account yourself.
All trips through the arches are recorded by the rental company, and the fare is either
- deducted from your deposit
- or added to your bill when you return the car
Some companies add an additional fee of up to AED 5 per arch (check when booking).
📌 Tip: always check your receipt or billing details when you return the car — in some cases, Salik charges are not added immediately.
Where are the Salik arches located?
There are 8 active arches in Dubai, including:
- Al Garhoud Bridge — an important route to DXB airport.
- Al Maktoum Bridge — connects the business center with the Deira and Bur Dubai districts.
- Sheikh Zayed Road — the largest highway, has several arches (in the Al Safa, Jebel Ali, and other districts).
- Al Barsha, Airport Tunnel, Al Mamzar North/South — connect key areas with the center.
📍 Travel from Sharjah to Dubai usually includes 2–3 arches, i.e. 8–12 AED one way. During rush hour and with frequent trips, the cost can be significant.
How does Salik work for car owners?
If you have purchased or registered a car in Dubai, you need to:
- Purchase a Salik tag (costs AED 100, of which AED 50 is immediately credited to your account).
- Register on the official website salik.ae or in the Dubai Drive app.
- Top up your balance manually — via:
- mobile app
- SMS
- ATMs, POS terminals, stores
- online banking
What happens if you don't pay?
If your Salik balance is exhausted and you pass through the arch, you must top up your account within 5 days. After the 6th day, a fine of 50 AED for each violation will be automatically imposed, up to 200 AED for repeated violations.
If you are involved in a traffic accident in the United Arab Emirates, first of all, remain calm and act in accordance with local law. Not only is safety important here, but also the correct official recording of the incident — even in the case of minor damage.
Serious accident with injuries
In case of injuries, major damage, or road blockages, immediately call 999 — this is the single number for police and emergency services in all emirates. Do not move your vehicle until the police arrive, unless it poses a threat to traffic. The police will arrive at the scene, file a report, and only then can you contact your insurance company or car rental company.
Important: Leaving the scene of an accident is considered a violation of the law, even if the incident is minor.
Minor accident without injuries
For minor damage — scratches, dents, minor collisions — in most cases, it is sufficient to report the incident yourself using official mobile apps. In Dubai, this is the Dubai Police app, and in Abu Dhabi, it is the Abu Dhabi Police app.
After quickly registering in the app, you will need to:
- indicate the location of the incident on the map,
- take several photos of the damage and vehicles,
- add a comment and contact details.
You will then receive an official accident report in PDF format, which you can send to your insurance company or rental company. This only takes a few minutes and saves you from having to wait for the police to arrive at the scene.
Contacting your insurance company
Without a police report, the insurance company will not consider the case. Therefore, even if the accident is minor, a report must be filed. If you were using a rental car, contact the company immediately: they can send instructions or a tow truck. The cost of repairs, if you are at fault, may be partially deducted from your deposit, depending on the terms of the rental agreement.
What else is important to remember
The police in the UAE have the right to stop any vehicle without explanation, including in the event of complaints, suspicious behavior, or an accident reported by another party. The driver must remain in the car with their hands on the steering wheel and only show their documents upon request. Do not argue or dispute with law enforcement officers — this may aggravate the situation.
Traveling on the roads of the UAE means comfort and speed, futuristic highways, perfect road signs, and a striking contrast between the skyscrapers of Dubai and the desert landscapes. But at the same time, it means a different system of fines, special insurance requirements, and completely new traffic rules. That is why we are available 24/7.
What we offer Ukrainians in the UAE
Insurance
- Medical insurance covering accidents, injuries, hospitalization, and emergency assistance is mandatory when renting a car in the Emirates.
- We select individual packages depending on the type of your trip.
Legal advice
- We explain what to do in case of an accident, what to do if you are fined or the police are called;
- We will advise you on what documents and explanations to provide to the insurer or police in accordance with UAE law.
Support without days off
We are available via messengers, email, or our website. We provide quick, clear, and always relevant advice.