What documents are required to rent a car in Dubai?

UAE residents normally need a valid UAE driving licence and Emirates ID to rent a car in Dubai. Tourists generally need a passport, valid visit visa or entry stamp and a valid home-country driving licence. An original International Driving Permit may also be required, depending on the licence-issuing country and the renter’s eligibility.

Documents required at a glance

Final approval depends on document verification, licence eligibility, insurance requirements, the selected vehicle and Al Madina Car Rental’s confirmed rental agreement.

Documents required from UAE residents

UAE residents normally need:

• A valid Emirates ID
• A valid UAE driving licence

A foreign driving licence should not be used instead of a UAE driving licence after the driver becomes a UAE resident. Additional identification may be requested when necessary to verify the booking.

Documents required from tourists

Tourists visiting Dubai normally need:

• A valid passport
• A valid visit visa or UAE entry stamp
• A valid home-country driving licence
• An original International Driving Permit where required

The driving licence must be valid for the appropriate vehicle category. The renter’s nationality, visa status and country that issued the licence can affect whether an International Driving Permit is necessary.

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority states that visitors on short-term visas may drive light vehicles using valid licences issued by GCC or approved exception countries. Visitors who are not eligible to use their home-country licence directly may need an original International Driving Permit together with their original licence.

Is an International Driving Permit required?

Not every tourist requires an International Driving Permit.

A tourist holding an eligible driving licence from an approved country may be permitted to drive a rental car in Dubai without an IDP. Other visitors generally need both:

1. Their original home-country driving licence
2. An original, valid International Driving Permit

An IDP does not replace the original driving licence. Both documents must be presented where an IDP is required. Because eligibility can depend on nationality, visa status, licence type and insurance approval, customers should send their licence details to Al Madina Car Rental for verification before booking.

Does the payment card have to be in the renter’s name?

Payment and deposit requirements depend on the confirmed booking. Al Madina Car Rental accepts approved payment methods according to the rental arrangement. If a security deposit is required and collected through a payment card, the cardholder and authorisation requirements must be confirmed before payment.

A security deposit may apply depending on the selected vehicle and rental conditions. Selected no-deposit rental options may also be available, subject to approval, availability and the final agreement.

What documents does an additional driver need?

Every additional driver must provide the same applicable identification and driving documents as the primary renter. The additional driver must also be approved and named in the rental agreement before driving the vehicle.

Allowing an unauthorised or unlisted person to drive may invalidate insurance coverage and make the renter responsible for resulting damage, fines or other liabilities. Exact coverage remains subject to the rental agreement and insurance policy.

Practical examples

UK tourist visiting Dubai

A UK tourist visiting Dubai on a short-term visa would normally provide a passport, visit visa or entry stamp, and a valid UK driving licence. Britain appears among the approved exception countries in current Dubai RTA guidance. However, Al Madina must still verify the driver, licence and insurance eligibility before confirming the vehicle.

Indian UAE resident

An Indian national who is a UAE resident would normally provide a valid Emirates ID and a valid UAE driving licence. Their Indian driving licence does not replace the UAE licence required for a UAE resident.

Before sending your documents

Customers should check that:

• Every document is valid and clearly readable.
• The name and details are consistent across the documents.
• The driving licence covers the correct vehicle category.
• The original documents will be available at handover.
• Every person who will drive is declared before booking.
• Al Madina has confirmed whether an IDP is required.
• Deposit and payment requirements have been confirmed in writing.

Al Madina Car Rental document policy

Documents are reviewed before the vehicle is handed over. Acceptance is subject to identity and licence verification, visa or residency status, driver age and experience, insurance eligibility, vehicle category, vehicle availability and the final rental agreement.

Approval of one customer does not automatically establish eligibility for another customer, even when they hold licences issued by the same country.

Frequently asked questions

Can I rent a car using a copy of my driving licence?

You should have the original valid driving licence available. A clear copy may be used for preliminary verification, but it does not automatically replace the original document required at vehicle handover.

Can I rent a car with an expired Emirates ID?

Al Madina should verify your current residency and identification status before accepting the booking. Do not assume an expired Emirates ID will be accepted.

Can I rent using another person’s documents?

No. The person driving and signing the rental agreement must provide their own valid identification and driving documents. Every additional driver must also be declared and approved.

Can a tourist use a UAE resident’s driving licence or account?

No. Each driver must qualify using their own valid identification, visa or residency status and driving licence.

Do I need to carry the documents while driving?

Drivers should keep the legally required identification and driving documents available while operating the rental vehicle. Tourists using an IDP should carry the original IDP together with their original home-country licence.

Reviewed: August 2026 · Reviewed by the Al Madina Car Rental operations team · Al Madina Car Rental, Al Quoz, Dubai