+971 58 642 7299
+971 58 642 7299
The charges that surprise renters in Dubai are rarely in the daily rate: Salik tolls, fines, fuel, extra mileage, delivery and deposits. Here is what each one means, which official rates apply, and how Brook Drive handles it.
Where Hidden Costs Come From
A daily rate covers the car and basic insurance. Everything the renter causes or chooses during the rental is billed on top, and those amounts are rarely on the booking page. Seven areas decide whether the final invoice matches the quote:
- Salik and Darb tolls
- Traffic fines and parking
- Fuel policy
- Mileage limit
- Delivery and airport handover
- Insurance excess and damage
- Deposit and card holds
The sections below give the official rates where they exist. A table near the end shows how Brook Drive handles each item.
Helpful tipAsk for a list of every possible extra charge in writing before you pay. If a charge is not in the contract, ask why it is on the invoice.
Alex Shvarov, Automotive expert with over 15 years of experience
Salik and Darb Tolls With VAT
Salik Rates From June 2026
Salik is Dubai’s ticketless toll system. A tag on the windshield is read at every gate, so there is no booth, no cash and no stopping. Since June 2026 the tolls include 5% VAT.
| When | Rate |
|---|---|
| Monday to Saturday, 06:00–10:00 and 16:00–20:00 (peak) | AED 6.30 |
| Monday to Saturday, 10:00–16:00 and 20:00–01:00 (off-peak) | AED 4.20 |
| Monday to Saturday, 01:00–06:00 | No charge |
| Sunday | Flat AED 4.20 for the day. On public holidays and major event days the variable rates can apply instead |
These are government rates, so the number of gates you pass matters more than the price of one. Check the current schedule on the official Salik website before a long day of driving. At Brook Drive, Salik is billed to the renter separately after the rental ends.
Darb in Abu Dhabi
Driving to Abu Dhabi adds Darb, the emirate’s toll system. A gate crossing costs AED 4 from 07:00 to 09:00 and from 15:00 to 19:00, and nothing on Sundays and official holidays. Darb is also billed to the renter separately after the rental ends.
Traffic Fines and Violations
Fines are issued against the car’s registered owner, so they reach the renter after the rental. At Brook Drive, fines are forwarded to the renter and paid after the rental.
Speed, Parking and Fine Checks
Drive to the posted limit. Dubai Police fines rise steeply with every step above it. Parking is a separate cost too: from June 2026 a standard Parkin zone charges AED 4.20 an hour, including VAT.
To see whether a fine has been registered against a car in Dubai, use the RTA traffic fines page.
Helpful tipPhotograph the parking sign and your ticket when you park. If a fine arrives later, you can show where and when the car stood.
Alex Shvarov, Automotive expert with over 15 years of experience
Fuel, Mileage and Cleaning
Fuel Policy
The clearest policy is full-to-full: the car is handed over with a full tank and comes back with a full tank. Ask what happens if you return it with less, and whether missing fuel is charged at the pump price or at a premium. At Brook Drive the car is handed over full and returned full.
Mileage Limits
Every rental car has a daily mileage allowance, and kilometers beyond it are charged separately. At Brook Drive each car has its own limit, from 200 to 250 km a day, shown on the car’s page. A round trip from Dubai to Abu Dhabi can use up the whole allowance, so plan longer drives before you book.
Cleaning and Smoking
Smoking is not allowed in any Brook Drive car. Contracts often include a cleaning clause for heavy dirt or smoke odor, so read it and photograph the interior when you return the car.
Insurance, Excess and Police Reports
Basic insurance limits what you pay after an accident, but it does not remove the excess. The excess is the part of the damage cost you pay yourself, and its amount is set per car in the rental contract. At Brook Drive, basic insurance is included in the daily rate. Extended insurance is also available: ask the team what it covers for the car you want.
What To Do After Any Damage
At Brook Drive, any damage, even a scratch on a parked car, needs a Police Report. In Dubai the quickest route is the Dubai Police app (App Store, Google Play) or DubaiNow. Call 999 only for injuries, a major accident or a dispute about who is at fault. Insurance also ends where the paved road ends: driving into the sand is not covered and is not allowed.
Helpful tipRecord a timestamped video of the whole car at pickup: all sides, wheels, glass, interior, odometer and fuel level. Repeat it at return, so any damage claim starts from evidence.
Alex Shvarov, Automotive expert with over 15 years of experience
Deposits, Delivery and Age Rules
Deposits and Card Holds
Dubai has rules on rental deposits. Under Circular No. 1 of 2024, issued by the Dubai Corporation for Consumer Protection and Fair Trade, a rental company must release a deposit within 30 days of the return, may not process a card hold as a purchase, and may not charge extra for paying by card or payment app (Khaleej Times). If a refund is late, you can complain to the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) through consumerrights.gov.ae or on +971 600 545555. DET handles complaints against companies that hold a Dubai trade license.
Brook Drive rents without a deposit, so there is no hold on your card and no refund to wait for.
Delivery and Airport Handover
Delivery often appears as a separate line in a quote. At Brook Drive it is free for orders from AED 12,000. Otherwise it costs AED 230 from 09:00 to 21:00 and AED 290 from 21:00 to 09:00, plus 5% VAT. Delivery to Dubai International Airport (DXB) starts at AED 250.
Age and Experience
The minimum age and driving experience are set per car, from 21 to 25 years of age across the fleet, and are shown on each car’s page.
How Brook Drive Handles Each Charge
Brook Drive rents without a deposit and without hidden payments. The table shows what is billed separately and when.
| Charge | At Brook Drive |
|---|---|
| Security deposit | No deposit |
| Insurance | Basic insurance included in the daily rate, extended insurance available |
| Excess | Set per car in the rental contract |
| Salik and Darb | Billed to the renter separately after the rental ends |
| Traffic fines | Forwarded to the renter and paid after the rental |
| Fuel | Full-to-full: full tank at handover, full tank at return |
| Mileage | Own daily limit per car, 200–250 km, shown on the car’s page. Extra kilometers are charged separately |
| Delivery | Free for orders from AED 10,000. Otherwise AED 185 (09:00–21:00) or AED 290 (21:00–09:00) plus 5% VAT. DXB airport from AED 300 |
| Damage | Police Report required for any damage |
| Age and experience | Set per car and shown on the car’s page |
Daily rates and conditions for each car are on the prices page, and answers to common questions are in the FAQ.
VerdictA low daily rate means little without the list of extras. Compare quotes line by line: deposit, tolls, fines, fuel, mileage and delivery.
Alex Shvarov, Automotive expert with over 15 years of experience
Pre-Rental Checklist: 7 Steps to Avoid Extra Charges
| Stage | Action | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Before booking | Ask for the deposit terms, insurance cover and excess in writing | Fixes the numbers before you pay |
| At pickup | Record a timestamped video of the exterior, wheels, glass, interior, odometer and fuel level | Evidence if a damage claim appears later |
| At pickup | Ask how and when tolls and fines are billed | Avoids surprises after the rental |
| During the rental | Keep to the posted speed limit and the daily mileage limit | Prevents fines and extra-kilometer charges |
| During the rental | After any damage, file a Police Report in the Dubai Police app or DubaiNow and tell support | Insurance needs the report |
| Before return | Return the car with the fuel level you received and remove sand and rubbish | Avoids refueling and cleaning charges |
| At return | Walk around the car with the agent and repeat the video | Locks in the agreed condition |
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 rent a luxury car in Dubai without a security deposit?
Yes. Brook Drive rents luxury cars, including the Cadillac Escalade and the Mercedes S-Class, with no deposit and no hold on your card.
How much does Salik cost on a rental car?
From June 2026 a gate crossing costs AED 6.30 at peak and AED 4.20 off-peak, Monday to Saturday, with no charge from 01:00 to 06:00. On Sundays a flat AED 4.20 applies. At Brook Drive, Salik is billed to the renter separately after the rental ends.
What happens if I get a traffic fine in a rental car?
The fine is registered against the car and reaches the renter after the rental. At Brook Drive, fines are forwarded to the renter and paid after the rental.
Is there a mileage limit on rental cars in Dubai?
Yes, rental cars have a daily allowance. At Brook Drive each car has its own limit, 200 to 250 km a day, shown on the car’s page. Extra kilometers are charged separately.
How does the fuel policy work?
Brook Drive uses full-to-full: you receive the car with a full tank and return it with a full tank.
How long can a rental company keep a deposit in Dubai?
Under Circular No. 1 of 2024, a deposit must be released within 30 days of the vehicle’s return. If it is late, you can complain to the Department of Economy and Tourism. Brook Drive takes no deposit.
