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Car hire in United Arab Emirates
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Driving in the United Arab Emirates on an Australian licence
International Driving Permit rules and car hire for Australians.
Yes - Australians need an International Driving Permit for United Arab Emirates.
Australians need a 1949 Geneva Convention IDP to hire a car in the UAE, carried with your Australian licence.
Drives on the rightOpposite to Australia
Minimum age 21Many hire companies require 25 for larger vehicles.
$45-$90Typical daily hire
IDP required1949 Geneva Convention
Is hiring a car in United Arab Emirates worth it?
Fuel is cheap by Australian standards.
Typical daily hire runs $45-$90.
Where to hire a car in United Arab Emirates
Prices are indicative, shown in AUD and refreshed from provider APIs where available. Always confirm the final price on the provider's site - it is the price that applies. We may earn a commission if you buy through our links, which never changes what you pay. A row labelled "Featured partner" holds a paid position at the top of the table. Partners are listed before providers who pay us nothing, as our terms set out; sorting by price ignores all of that and orders on the number alone. How we make money.
What Australian drivers need to know in United Arab Emirates
- Traffic fines are automated and heavy - speed cameras are everywhere and hire companies pass fines on with an admin fee.
- Salik road tolls are billed to the vehicle automatically.
- Zero tolerance on drink driving - the limit is 0.00.
- Careem and Uber both operate and are inexpensive.
Driving without the permit here means driving uninsured. Australian policies exclude claims from driving without a valid licence for that vehicle in that country, and in United Arab Emirates the International Driving Permit is part of being validly licensed.
You can only get an International Driving Permit in Australia, before you fly - the state motoring clubs issue them for about $49 and it takes a fortnight to be safe. How to get one, and where it works.
More United Arab Emirates essentials
United Arab Emirates visa and entry rules
Passport, visa, arrival cards and customs rules for Australian passport holders.
Flights to United Arab Emirates
Search fares from Australia, then sort the rest of the trip.
United Arab Emirates eSIM plans
Instant data, no physical SIM required.
United Arab Emirates travel insurance
Medical, cancellation and luggage cover for Australian travellers.
United Arab Emirates money and cards
Cards, cash and FX fees for Australian travellers.
United Arab Emirates airport transfers
Trains, buses, private transfers and taxis compared.
United Arab Emirates travel essentials
Adapters, plugs, tap water, tipping and health basics.
Things to do in United Arab Emirates
Attractions, tours and passes worth booking ahead.
Further reading: International Driving Permit: which countries Australians need one for
How these comparisons are made
Licence and permit rules come from the destination's road authority and the Australian motoring clubs that issue International Driving Permits, and each page states whether an IDP is legally required, required in practice by hire companies, or genuinely not needed - three different situations most sites blur into one. Read the full editorial policy.
United Arab Emirates driving FAQs
Do I need an IDP to hire a car in the UAE?
Yes. Australians need a 1949 Geneva Convention International Driving Permit, obtained from a state motoring club before leaving Australia, carried with your Australian licence.
Planning United Arab Emirates?
We will send you the United Arab Emirates guide as it grows - what to book before you go, which eSIM and travel card are worth it there, and what things actually cost in Australian dollars.