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Key tips for car rental in Dubai
Key Tips for Car Rental in Dubai
Renting a car in Dubai through Rentifa is a very easy and convenient process.
Rentifa is the only international car rental platform in the country that allows you to complete the entire car reservation process online, from start to finish, in just a few minutes:
Step One: Compare and choose your car
Step Two: Enter user information, select the car pickup time and location, and submit your request
Step Three: Online confirmation of the selected car’s availability in less than one minute
Step Four: Make the prepayment and finalize the reservation
All of these steps can be completed in less than 2 minutes. After finalizing your reservation, you need to upload images of the required documents in the designated section, including:
An image of the first page of the driver’s passport
An image of the visa
Clear front and back images of a valid international driving license
That’s it. However, paying attention to a few important points in this process is essential, which we will explain below.
1. Renter’s Documents
Paying close attention when submitting your reservation and correctly uploading your ticket and required documents helps ensure that the service is provided in the best possible way. Please note that images of all documents requested on the website must be uploaded at least one day before the vehicle delivery, and you should also carry these documents with you during your trip.
2. Payment of the Car Rental Fee
When reserving a car on Rentifa, after selecting the vehicle and confirming its availability, part of the rental fee must be paid online to secure the booking. The remaining amount, since it must be paid within the UAE, will be collected in cash in USD or AED at the time of vehicle delivery.
If you prefer to pay the full rental amount in Iranian rials while in Iran, an international transfer service fee to the UAE will be added to the rental cost. To avoid additional charges, customers can follow Rentifa’s standard rental process and pay the remaining balance in AED or USD upon vehicle delivery in the UAE.
3. Deposit
The deposit (security deposit) is held by the company as a guarantee to cover any possible fines or additional costs that may be identified after the vehicle is returned. Any charges incurred up to the time of return will be settled in Dubai. If the outstanding amount is not settled, depending on the amount owed, a 20% service charge will be deducted from your account.
Customers who rent cars without a deposit are required to settle all outstanding charges at the time of vehicle return. These charges include toll fees (Salik), parking fees, and traffic fines, which are checked through Dubai’s official systems at the time of return and then reported to the customer with proper documentation.
4. Vehicle Pickup and Return at the Airport
For customers who choose the airport as the pickup location, the vehicle will be delivered at the arrival terminal parking area according to the reserved time and the specified terminal.
For reservations of three days or more, vehicle pickup and return at Dubai Airport during regular working hours are free of charge, and the customer only needs to pay the parking fee.
For reservations of less than three days, or for vehicle pickup and return during late-night hours, an additional fee will be charged. In most companies, the time period from 11:00 PM to 7:00 AM is considered midnight hours, and approximately AED 100 will be added to the total reservation cost.
5. Mobile Internet
When picking up your car at Dubai Airport, you can connect to the airport’s free Wi-Fi as soon as you arrive. Internet access is essential. Renters must have access to mobile internet in order to use Rentifa’s 24/7 support services during vehicle pickup and return. This helps save both time and costs.
6. Documentation
Please make sure to take photos and videos of the vehicle at both pickup and return. These should clearly show any existing exterior damages and serve as proper documentation. Also, take a photo of the vehicle’s dashboard to record the fuel level at the time of delivery.
7. Salik (Toll Fees)
Driving on certain highways, bridges, and tunnels in the UAE is subject to toll charges known as Salik. Since all vehicles are equipped with a smart Salik tag, the total toll fees will be calculated at the time the vehicle is returned and collected from you in cash.
(As of 2025, the cost for each pass through a Salik toll gate is approximately AED 7.25.)
8. Fuel
In car rental companies worldwide, fuel costs are the responsibility of the renter. When picking up the vehicle, check the fuel level and make sure to return the car with the same amount of fuel. Otherwise, the difference will be charged.
An important note: if the fuel level at the time of return is higher than it was at pickup, the rental company cannot calculate or refund the extra fuel cost. Therefore, when refueling, make sure to add only the amount you need. The price of gasoline in Dubai is approximately AED 3 per liter.
9. Car Wash
If the vehicle is returned noticeably dirtier than it was at the time of delivery, a car wash fee will be charged depending on the type and level of dirtiness. Car wash fees start from AED 30.
For example, deodorizing a vehicle that smells of cigarette smoke costs around AED 600, as it can only be done using an ozone machine. Additionally, if Dubai police catch you smoking inside the vehicle, a fine of AED 1,000 will be imposed.
Please be mindful to avoid car wash charges and traffic fines.
10. Traffic Fines in Dubai
Driving in Dubai is not very different from driving in Iran. The main difference is that many driving behaviors that may be considered minor in Iran are subject to fines in Dubai. For example, holding a mobile phone while driving—even if you are not talking on it—is a violation and will result in a fine.
Due to the heavy traffic fines in the UAE, please make sure to strictly follow all traffic rules and regulations provided to you at the time of vehicle delivery. Any fines will be collected in cash when the vehicle is returned. Heavy fines cannot be settled in Iranian rials.
To avoid costly fines in Dubai, we strongly recommend reading the article on Traffic Fines in Dubai to gain a full understanding of the rules and penalties.
11. Vehicle Insurance and Accidents
Depending on the type of insurance coverage, in the event of an accident you must immediately contact the police, obtain an official police accident report, and inform the rental company. Please note that if you are not at fault, no costs will be charged to you. Providing documentation such as the police report, photos, and videos will help facilitate the insurance process and ensure proper support.
12. Airport Parking
Airport parking fees are the responsibility of the renter with all car rental companies. In Dubai, the parking fee is AED 30 for the first 30 minutes, and an additional AED 10 is charged for every extra 30 minutes thereafter.
13. Reservation Extension
If you wish to extend your car rental period, you can easily do so through your Rentifa profile. Please note that extensions are only possible up to a maximum of 24 hours before the scheduled return time. Customers who request an extension at the last minute may find that the vehicle has already been reserved by another customer and, therefore, may not be able to extend their rental.