+971 58 642 7299
+971 58 642 7299
Under UAE rules, visitors from more than 50 countries can drive on their home license without an International Driving Permit (IDP). Brook Drive still asks tourists for an IDP together with the original license, so bring both.
Do You Need an IDP to Rent a Car in Dubai?
Two different questions hide behind this one: what the UAE allows a visitor to do, and what a rental company asks for at the counter. The answers are not always the same.
What UAE Rules Say
A visitor whose license was issued in a recognized country may drive in the UAE on that license. A visitor from any other country needs an IDP, and the IDP only works together with the original license. The list of recognized countries is kept by the UAE Ministry of Interior (see the table below).
What Brook Drive Asks For
Tourists show a passport, a driving license from their home country and an IDP. Residents show a UAE driving license and an Emirates ID. The IDP is the part most travelers leave at home, so it is worth sorting out before you fly.
Who Can Drive in the UAE on a Home License?
The Ministry of Interior (MOI) publishes the countries whose licenses visitors can use under its Markhoos initiative. A Gulf News report on the list in July 2025 counted 52 nationalities, and the GCC states are covered separately for visitors.
| Region | Countries | Note |
|---|---|---|
| GCC | Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia | Valid for visitors only; residents exchange the license |
| Europe | Albania, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Kosovo, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Montenegro, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Kingdom | Czech Republic is not on the list |
| North America | Canada, United States, Texas | The list names Texas separately |
| Asia and Middle East | Azerbaijan, China, Hong Kong, Israel, Japan, Kyrgyzstan, Singapore, Turkey, Uzbekistan | South Korea is not covered for visitors |
| Oceania and Africa | Australia, New Zealand, South Africa | None |
The RTA Names a Shorter List
The Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) describes visitor driving on its license exchange page as limited to GCC licenses and 20 «exception countries», which is a narrower group than the MOI list. Because the two official sources differ, check your country on the MOI page before you travel and confirm with the rental company.
If Your Country Is Not on the List
Drivers from countries such as India, Pakistan or Brazil need an IDP together with the original license. An IDP is issued by the country that issued your license, so it cannot be arranged after you land in Dubai. Once your papers are in order, browse economy cars for an easy first rental in the city.
Helpful tipAn IDP is a translation of your home license, not a license of its own. Carry both documents every time you drive.
Alex Shvarov, Automotive expert with over 15 years of experience
Rules for Tourists and Residents
Tourists and Visitors
A tourist can drive on a home license from a recognized country, or on an IDP presented together with the original license. An IDP shown without the underlying license counts as driving without a license.
A GCC license is valid for visitors only, as the RTA states on its service page.
UAE Residents
Visitor rules stop applying once you hold a residence visa. Residents get a UAE license or exchange an eligible foreign one. The RTA exchange service asks for a valid Emirates ID, an electronic eye test and the original license.
At Brook Drive, residents rent on a UAE license with an Emirates ID.
What Brook Drive Asks For at Pick-Up
The documents depend on whether you are visiting or live in the UAE. Payment is simple: no deposit and no credit card are needed, and you can pay by cash, card, cryptocurrency or another method.
| Renter | Documents | Deposit |
|---|---|---|
| Tourist | Passport, home-country driving license, International Driving Permit | No deposit |
| UAE resident | UAE driving license, Emirates ID | No deposit |
Age and Experience Depend on the Car
Minimum age and years of driving experience are set car by car, from 21 to 25 years of age. More powerful cars usually carry the higher minimums. The exact numbers are on each car page, for example for sport cars and SUVs. For a wider choice, look through our luxury cars and check the age on each car page.
Helpful tipBring the original documents to the handover. Questions about a specific nationality or license are quickest to settle with the manager on +971 58 642 7299 before you travel.
Alex Shvarov, Automotive expert with over 15 years of experience
Penalties for Driving Without a Valid License
Federal Decree-Law No. 14 of 2024 tightened the rules for unlicensed driving. The figures below follow the law as summarized by Gulf News. The UAE government portal confirms that the decree-law has applied since March 2025.
| Situation | First offense | Repeat offense |
|---|---|---|
| Foreign license not recognized in the UAE | Fine of AED 2,000–12,000 | Jail of at least three months and/or a fine of AED 5,000–60,000 |
| No license, or a license for another category | Up to three months in jail and/or a fine of AED 5,000–60,000 | Jail of at least three months and/or a fine of AED 20,000–120,000 |
If the Car Is Impounded
If a car is impounded because of a violation during the rental, the release fee and related costs are the renter’s responsibility under the rental agreement. The full wording is in the terms and conditions.
Helpful tipAny damage to a rental car, even a scratch in a car park, needs a Police Report, so keep the contract and your documents at hand.
Alex Shvarov, Automotive expert with over 15 years of experience
How to Get an IDP Before You Fly
Apply in the country that issued your license, and do it well before the trip. Only official issuers are safe: the US government warns that many websites offering IDPs are fraudulent.
United States
The State Department authorizes two issuers, the American Automobile Association (AAA) and the American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA). The USA.gov guide explains how to apply and which sites to avoid.
United Kingdom
GOV.UK says you can get an IDP in person from certain shops with PayPoint for £5.50. See the GOV.UK IDP page for the current rules and what to bring.
VerdictCheck that your home license stays valid for the whole trip. An IDP cannot outlast the license it translates.
Alex Shvarov, Automotive expert with over 15 years of experience
Frequently Asked Questions
Automotive expert with over 15 years of experience in the premium and sports car industry. I specialize in luxury vehicle selection, performance analysis, and creating exceptional driving experiences for discerning clients.
Can I drive in Dubai with a US driver’s license?
Yes, as a visitor. The United States is on the MOI list of recognized countries. At Brook Drive, tourists still show an IDP together with the original license, so apply for one before you travel.
Do I need a credit card or a deposit to rent from Brook Drive?
No. Brook Drive takes no deposit and does not require a credit card. You can pay by cash, card, cryptocurrency or another method.
Can I get an IDP after I arrive in Dubai?
No. An IDP is issued by the country that issued your home license, so it has to be arranged before you fly.
Can an IDP replace my home license?
No. An IDP is valid only when you show it with the original license. Driving with the IDP alone is treated as driving without a license.
I live in the UAE. Can I rent on my foreign license?
Visitor rules end once you hold a residence visa. Residents rent on a UAE driving license with an Emirates ID and, if needed, exchange a foreign license through the RTA.
Does an IDP give any exemption from UAE traffic law?
No. The IDP only translates your license. Every driver follows UAE traffic rules and pays any fines, whichever license they hold.
- UAE Ministry of Interior: Markhoos initiative
- Gulf News: more than 50 nationalities can drive in the UAE with home-country licenses
- RTA: exchange a foreign driving license
- UAE government portal: getting a driving license and road safety
- Gulf News: new traffic law, conditions for obtaining and losing your license
