+971 58 642 7299
+971 58 642 7299
Tourists need a passport, a valid home-country driving licence and, depending on the country that issued it, an International Driving Permit. UAE residents need an Emirates ID and a UAE driving licence. Bring originals.
The paperwork is short, but the details trip people up: which licences are accepted on their own, why an IDP cannot be arranged after landing, and what residents bring instead. This guide goes through the documents for tourists and residents, who needs an IDP and how to get one, and the mistakes we see at handover.
Quick Checklist: What to Bring
| Driver | Documents | Check before you go |
|---|---|---|
| Tourist (visit visa) | Passport with entry stamp or visa, home-country driving licence, International Driving Permit if your licence requires it | Whether your licence needs an IDP: ask us before you book |
| UAE resident | Emirates ID and UAE driving licence | A foreign licence or an IDP does not replace the UAE licence |
Bring every document as an original, not a photo on a phone. Handover takes about 20 minutes, and the team works 24/7 on WhatsApp at +971 58 642 7299, so you can check your documents before you fly. The full rental terms are on the Terms and Conditions page.
Documents Required for Tourists
If you are in Dubai on a visit visa, bring three things to the handover.
Passport With an Entry Stamp or Visa
The passport identifies you, and the stamp or visa shows that you entered the UAE as a visitor. That matters because the rules for foreign licences depend on your status: the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) states that you can drive in Dubai on a foreign licence only while you are on a visit visa, and only with a licence from a GCC or exception country.
Your Home-Country Driving Licence
A valid licence card with an expiry date that covers the whole rental. Each car also has its own minimum age and driving experience (3 or 5 years in our fleet feed of October 2026), so check the car card before you book. For example, the white Chevrolet Tahoe is open from 21 and the black one from 23.
An International Driving Permit, If Your Licence Requires One
The IDP does not replace your licence. It is a translated companion that you carry together with the original. Whether you need one depends on the country that issued the licence, and the next section covers it in detail.
Helpful tipMessage the team on WhatsApp before you fly with the car you want and your licence country. We confirm the limit for that exact car, tell you what applies to your licence and have the paperwork ready, so the handover stays at 20 minutes.
Alex Shvarov, Automotive expert with over 15 years of experience
Who Needs an International Driving Permit (IDP)?
The answer follows the country that issued your licence, not your passport. The UAE Ministry of Interior (MOI) recognises licences from a list of countries, and visitors holding one of them may drive on the home licence under UAE rules. Everyone else carries an IDP together with the original licence. Tourists need a passport and a valid home-country licence; depending on the country that issued your licence, an International Driving Permit may also be required. Our team confirms what applies to your licence before you book.
What the UAE Rules Say
The official guide to getting a driving licence in the UAE points to the MOI list of recognised licences. A Gulf News report of July 2025 counted 52 nationalities on it, besides the GCC states. Among them are the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Turkey, South Africa, Israel, Ukraine, Belarus and every EU country except the Czech Republic. South Korea is not covered for visitors: its licence holders can only exchange the licence once they are residents.
The list changes, so treat it as a guide and check your own country. The RTA applies the same logic on its licence service page: a visitor drives on a foreign licence only on a visit visa and only with a licence from a GCC or exception country.
Where an IDP Is Needed
A licence from a country that is not on the list needs an IDP together with the original. Russia, India and Pakistan are examples. Do not assume the rule is the same for neighbouring countries: check the country that issued your licence.
How to Get One
An IDP is issued in the country that issued your licence, normally by the national automobile association or the licensing authority, and it cannot be arranged once you have landed in the UAE. Order it a few weeks before the trip. In the United Kingdom, GOV.UK explains how to apply; in the United States, USA.gov does.
Helpful tipThe penalty for getting this wrong is not a rental problem but a legal one. Under Federal Decree-Law No. 14 of 2024, in force since March 2025, driving on a foreign licence that is not recognised carries a fine of AED 2,000 to 10,000 for a first offence, and driving with no licence at all can mean up to three months in jail and/or a fine of AED 5,000 to 50,000.
Alex Shvarov, Automotive expert with over 15 years of experience
Requirements for UAE Residents
Residents have a shorter list, and it is stricter in one way. Once you hold UAE residency, the visitor rule above stops applying: a home-country licence with an IDP no longer works, and you drive on a UAE licence.
Documents for Residents
- Emirates ID: your valid UAE identity card. A UAE Pass may be accepted, so confirm with the manager before pickup.
- UAE driving licence: issued by any emirate.
Residents do not need an IDP, whatever their nationality.
Helpful tipA resident who shows a tourist permit or a foreign licence is the most common wrong turn at the counter. Bring the UAE licence even if your home licence is newer, and if your UAE licence is still being issued, wait for the card: a receipt is not a licence.
Alex Shvarov, Automotive expert with over 15 years of experience
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
1. Arriving Without an IDP
Visitors from countries that are not on the list often assume the plastic licence is enough. An IDP cannot be arranged in the UAE, so the fix is to order it at home. Check before you buy the flight.
2. Showing a Foreign Licence as a Resident
Once you hold UAE residency, the visitor rule no longer applies. Bring the UAE licence and the Emirates ID.
3. Showing Photos Instead of Originals
A picture of the passport or licence on a phone does not replace the document. Keep the originals in your hand luggage on the way to the handover.
4. Assuming Your Licence Fits Every Car
The minimum age and the experience are set on each car card. The same model in two colours can have two limits.
5. Waiting for the Counter to Ask
If you are not sure whether your licence needs an IDP, ask on WhatsApp before you book. It takes a message, and the team answers around the clock.
VerdictBring the originals, the licence that matches your status, and an IDP if your country needs one. Not sure? Send us your licence country and the car you want, and we will tell you what applies before you book.
Alex Shvarov, Automotive expert with over 15 years of experience
UAE Ministry of Interior list of recognised licences as reported by Gulf News, July 2025; RTA licence service page and u.ae guide (linked above); Gulf News on the penalties of Federal Decree-Law No. 14 of 2024; Brook Drive live fleet feed and rental terms, October 2026.
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.
FAQ
Do I need an International Driving Permit to rent a car in Dubai?
It depends on the country that issued your licence. Under UAE rules, visitors with a licence from the GCC or from a country on the Ministry of Interior list can drive on it alone, while holders of other licences, including Russian and Indian ones, carry an IDP together with the original. Message us your licence country before you book and we confirm what applies.
Can I get an IDP after I arrive in Dubai?
No. An IDP is issued in the country that issued your licence, so order it before you travel.
What documents do UAE residents need?
An Emirates ID and a UAE driving licence. A foreign licence or an IDP is not enough once you hold residency.
Can I show photos of my documents instead of originals?
No. Bring the passport or Emirates ID and the driving licence as originals, together with the IDP if you need one.
What is the minimum age to rent a car in Dubai?
At Brook Drive it is set per car and shown on the car card. As of October 2026, 8% of the listings in our fleet feed are open from 21, 30% from 23 and 62% from 25. Required experience is 3 years on most cars and 5 years on selected high-performance ones.
How long does the handover take?
About 20 minutes when the car and the paperwork are prepared in advance. You can collect the car at our JVC office or have it delivered to your hotel, residence or the airport.
