Documents Required to Hire a Car in Dubai
Getting your hands on a vehicle to rent in Dubai can prove quite challenging as there are many rules and regulations involved. When you hire a car in Dubai your credit card will be needing to be pre-authorized for a certain amount or limit. This is to cover any fines or tolls that you may encounter. The more luxurious your vehicle is the more you will need to pre-authorize.
Documents that you require:
- Your valid passport
- A driver’s license from the same country as the passport
- You must have had your license for at least 1 year
- Provide an entry stamp on your Tourist Visa
- You must hold a Visa or MasterCard credit card registered in your own name
Security Deposit and Your Refund
This charge will be recorded and remain on your credit card until the vehicle is returned in perfect condition and any fines are deducted. Find cheap car rental deals, and swipe your credit card to secure the best deal that is available.
The security deposit will then be returned to your card balance within 15 to 29 days. This is to ensure that you didn’t receive any fines while you were driving. Most fines take about a week to be recorded in the Dubai police fine-checking system.
Understand the Salik Charge
Before you sign your individual rental contract, you may notice a Salik charge. Salik is Dubai’s electronic toll-collecting system service. You won’t see a toll booth in Dubai, so you can enjoy your splendid scenic drive across the UAE without any interruptions or stops along the way. The person who signs the dotted line on the car rental agreement will be held responsible to pay for the Salik charges. These charges will be recorded by your rental agent through the RTA Salik system, they need to be settled when you return the vehicle.
What You will be Held Responsible for in the Event of an Accident
Read your rental contract very carefully to find out what you are responsible for in the event of an accident. Some rental companies will require you to pay very high charges for the vehicle to be repaired and for storage of the vehicle while it is being repaired. Even a minor ding on the door can leave your wallet feeling a lot emptier. If you do dent the car, don’t try to hide it! If you are caught you could face jail time.
Before you drive away be sure to inspect the vehicle very carefully and record the damage that you see, take a photograph and save it on your phone with the date that the picture was taken. Let the rental agent know about any dents or scratches that the vehicle has.
Beware of the Rental Requirements
In most countries, you are able to rent a vehicle if you have a driver’s license and are over the age of 21. In Dubai, you need to be at least 25 years old to hire a vehicle and you need to have had your license for at least 2 years.