Last updated: 5 August 2026

Over the last two decades, Dubai has cemented its status among the world’s most fantastical destinations for business and leisure. But as any insider will tell you, having a car at your disposal remains one of the most convenient and economical ways of getting around, especially if you have a packed itinerary or don’t fancy spending hours on end riding or waiting on public transport.

Luckily, whether you’re visiting Dubai for just a day or two, or staying much longer, the rules and regulations around driving are fairly straightforward (and of course, renting a car from Udrive is even simpler).

Travelers in Dubai on visit visas can drive light vehicles or motorcycles if they have a valid International Driving Permit issued outside the UAE. Visitors holding a valid driving licence issued by a GCC country or another country recognised by Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority may also drive light vehicles or motorcycles without an International Driving Permit, subject to the applicable RTA, rental company, and insurance requirements.

For the current conditions and recognised-country information, refer to the RTA foreign driving licence service page and the Udrive FAQ on Which countries driving license OR permit is accepted by Udrive?

A few additional restrictions and limitations also apply when driving in Dubai with an international permit. In this guide, Udrive simplifies everything you need to know as a foreigner about driving and licensing in Dubai.

Although Dubai has several transportation options including metros, buses, ferries, and cabs, rental cars remain one of the most preferred choices for tourists, owing to affordability, convenience, and practicality. See our detailed comparison of the cost and convenience of transportation options in Dubai.

Dubai has a right-hand traffic system, meaning vehicles are driven on the right side of the road. Before driving as a traveller in Dubai, you should confirm whether your original national driving licence is accepted directly or whether you also need a valid International Driving Permit.

For more information about visiting and exploring the UAE, refer to the UAE Government travel guidance.

Keep in mind that an International Driving Permit is a translated version of your primary licence that is widely accepted across the world; it is not a separate licence in and of itself.

In order for an International Driving Permit to be considered valid, it needs to be used in conjunction with your primary licence, and in order to drive legally in Dubai, neither document should have lapsed or expired.

An International Driving Permit can only be obtained from an authorised issuer in the same country that issued your primary driving licence. For example, if your primary licence was issued in the US, the International Driving Permit accompanying it must also be issued in the US.

More information is available in the International Driving Permit FAQ.

In other words, if your licence requires an International Driving Permit, you have to obtain it before you come to Dubai. See the table below for more on how to get an international permit in your country to drive in Dubai.

Visitors already in Dubai without a valid International Driving Permit may still be able to drive legally if their original national driving licence is accepted directly by RTA, Udrive, and the vehicle’s insurer. Eligible short-term visitors do not need to exchange an accepted foreign licence for a UAE licence in order to drive during their visit.

Check the current RTA conditions for visitors holding foreign licences and the Udrive country-specific licence and permit list.

Even if you do have a valid international driving license, keep in mind these additional conditions when driving in Dubai:

• International Driving Permits issued outside the UAE may be used by visitors on visit visas. UAE residents, including Golden Residence holders, must hold a valid UAE driving licence.
• Visitors with transit visas require additional approval from the vehicle’s insurance company.
• Tourists driving with a foreign-issued International Driving Permit are permitted to drive rental vehicles, subject to the rental company’s and insurer’s approval. See the Automobile and Touring Club of the UAE FAQ for additional information.
• Udrive vehicles cannot be driven outside the UAE. They may be driven between emirates within the UAE, but the vehicle must be returned to the emirate where the trip began in accordance with the operational and parking conditions shown in the Udrive app. See where you can drive a Udrive car.
• Individual car rental companies may have further requirements and may not accept every licence or permit. Udrive accepts original national driving licences without an International Driving Permit from more than 50 countries and requires an International Driving Permit for visitors from other accepted countries. Tourists usually need copies of only two documents: their passport and their valid driving licence or International Driving Permit.

If you did not obtain an International Driving Permit before coming to the UAE, you may still be eligible to drive using your original national driving licence.

This applies when the licence is accepted directly under the current RTA rules and the requirements of the rental provider and its insurer. Udrive accepts original driving licences from more than 50 countries without requiring an International Driving Permit.

The full Udrive list identifies:

• Countries whose original national driving licences are accepted without an International Driving Permit.
• Countries whose visitors must submit an International Driving Permit in addition to their valid national driving licence.

Because the accepted-country lists and insurance conditions may change, check the current list rather than relying on a permanently reproduced country list.

Visitors whose licences require an International Driving Permit must obtain the permit from an authorised issuer in the country that issued their original national licence before driving in Dubai.