Driving in Dubai as a tourist: licence, tolls, fines and parking

Which licence do you need?

The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) is clear on the principle: “You can drive in Dubai only if you’re on a visit visa and have a Driving Licence from a GCC or exception country.” With such a licence you can drive light vehicles (cars) and motorcycles. The 20 exception countries listed by the RTA are Austria, Belgium, Britain, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and the United States.

The RTA also publishes a longer list of about 60 countries whose licences residents can exchange for a UAE licence, including Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea and China. That list concerns residents. If your country appears only there, carry an International Driving Permit to be safe and confirm with the rental company before you book. Note that visitors cannot obtain an International Driving Permit in the UAE: get it at home before you travel.

• Passport with your entry stamp or visa
• Valid home driving licence; many rental companies ask that it has been held for at least 12 months
• International Driving Permit if your licence is not from a GCC or exception country
• A UAE driving licence if you live in the UAE

Minimum age

The minimum age to rent a car in the UAE is 21. For luxury, sports and high-performance cars, rental companies and their insurers often ask for 25, sometimes more, and several years of driving experience. Each car on DubaiCrypt shows its requirement, and at checkout you confirm that the driver meets it.

Salik road tolls

Dubai’s toll gates are called Salik. There are no booths: a tag on the windscreen is read as you pass under the gate, and the toll is charged to the car’s account. There are 10 gates: Al Barsha, Al Garhoud Bridge, Al Maktoum Bridge, Al Mamzar North, Al Mamzar South, Al Safa North, Al Safa South, Airport Tunnel, Business Bay Crossing and Jebel Ali. Since January 2025, the price depends on the time of day, and since 1 June 2026, 5% VAT is added to every toll.

Special timings apply during Ramadan, and Sunday rates do not apply on public holidays or during major events. With a rental car, tolls are registered against the car’s plate and passed on to you after the rental; on DubaiCrypt they are charged at cost, with the receipts.

Speed limits and cameras

Limits are posted on every road and enforced by fixed and mobile cameras. As a rule of thumb, expect 40 km/h on single-lane city streets, 60–80 km/h on urban dual carriageways and 100–120 km/h on Dubai’s main highways. Treat the number on the sign as the limit: cameras are set slightly above it, but the margin is not an allowance and it varies.

Limits do change: from 1 November 2026, the RTA is raising the limit on Al Asayel Street (to 80 km/h), Al Mustaqbal Street and Latifa bint Hamdan Street (to 70 km/h), and lowering it on Al Rebat Street (to 90 km/h) and Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Street (to 70 km/h). Always follow the signs.

Traffic fines

Fines are issued to the car, so on a rental they reach the rental company, sometimes weeks later, and are then charged to you. Serious offences also carry black points and the impoundment of the car. These are the main fines listed by Dubai Police in March 2025.

Under the federal traffic law in force since 29 March 2025, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is punishable by a fine of AED 20,000 to AED 100,000, prison, or both, so the only safe limit is zero. In Dubai, impounded cars can also carry a release fee: AED 50,000 for reckless driving or running a red light, and AED 100,000 for unlicensed road racing, under Decree No. 30 of 2023.

Children in the car

Children under four must travel in a child safety seat, and children aged 10 or under, or shorter than 145 cm, may not sit in the front. The fine is AED 400. Many rental companies can add child seats on request; on DubaiCrypt, mention your children’s ages in the message for our concierge when you book.

Parking

Public parking in Dubai is run by Parkin. Since 4 April 2025, prices depend on the time of day, and since June 2026 they include 5% VAT. Paid hours are generally 8 am to 10 pm, Monday to Saturday, and public parking is free on Sundays and public holidays, but some areas charge until midnight or around the clock, so always read the sign.

• Standard zones: AED 4.20 an hour at peak times (8–10 am and 4–8 pm) and AED 2.10 an hour off-peak, VAT included
• Premium zones: AED 6 an hour at peak times, before VAT
• Multistorey car parks: AED 5.25 an hour
• Around Dubai World Trade Centre during major events: AED 25 an hour
• Pay in the Parkin, RTA Dubai or Dubai Now apps, by SMS or WhatsApp to 7275, or at the machines
• Fines: AED 150 for not paying and AED 100 for overstaying

Malls usually offer free parking for a few hours, and hotels and residential towers have valet or visitor parking; ask our concierge where guests can park before you arrive.

Fuel

UAE fuel prices are set monthly and announced at the end of the previous month. In October 2026, a litre cost AED 4.40 for Super 98, AED 4.28 for Special 95, AED 4.21 for E-Plus 91 and AED 4.80 for diesel, up from AED 3.80, 3.69, 3.61 and 4.30 in September. Check your rental terms for the fuel policy, for example whether the car must be returned with the same level.

If you have an accident

1. Stop, switch on your hazard lights and check that everyone is safe
2. If anyone is hurt or the accident is serious, call 999 (police) or 998 (ambulance)
3. If it is a minor accident with no injuries, move the cars out of the traffic
4. Report it to Dubai Police: call 999, or 901 for non-emergencies, or use the Dubai Police app if you can log in to it
5. Get the police report: insurers and rental companies ask for it before they handle any damage
6. Call the rental company’s assistance number and send them the report and photos of the scene

Driving outside Dubai

Abu Dhabi, Hatta, Ras Al Khaimah and the east coast all make easy day trips by car. Taking a rental car into Oman is different: it depends on the rental company, which must issue a no-objection certificate (NOC), and you need insurance that covers Oman. Not every company allows it, so check your route and your rental terms before driving towards the border.

Renting a car on DubaiCrypt

DubaiCrypt lists 1,220 cars from licensed Dubai rental companies, from everyday cars at $17 a day to SUVs, 7-seaters and supercars. Prices are in US dollars with insurance and VAT included.

• No deposit on any car. Elsewhere, rental companies usually block a refundable deposit on your card; Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism says it should be held, not charged, and released within 30 days of returning the car if nothing is owed
• Free delivery anywhere in Dubai, including your home or the airport
• Minimum age 21, often 25 for luxury and sports cars
• Salik tolls and traffic fines are charged after the rental, at cost, with the official receipts
• Instant booking: reserve the car and pay the total directly at checkout in BTC, ETH, USDT or another supported coin
• Cancellation: a full refund to your balance up to 48 hours before pick-up, and 50% up to 24 hours before
• Staying a month or longer? Monthly rentals cost far less per day

Popular brands include Toyota, Nissan and Mercedes-Benz. Browse all cars for rent in Dubai and filter by your dates.

Frequently asked questions