akirakhan

Hi!
I went to rent a car here in Abu Dhabi and was told that in addition to passport and license I needed an international driver's license too... Apparently you dont need one to rent a car in Dubai but you arent allowed to take the car to Abu Dhabi... If they didnt drive so nutty here I would go ahead and chance it but knowing my luck I would get hit or something.

I've been all over and never needed one in the past though I had heard of them. I'm from the states and they dont issue them there and even discourage getting them. I have seen some internet sites advertising them but they look sort of shady with instructions to make the check out to "Olga" and stuff like that...
If there is a internet site /alley in Bangkok etc. you recommend please by all means let me know!
thanks

Zannie

It think it all depends on what country your driving licence was issued for e.g. if you hold a UK driving licence (as I do), you don't need an international licence here to hire a car and you can apply for a UAE licence without taking another driving test, i believe if you hold an Indian/Pakistani driving licence, you'll need to re-take your driving test here to exchange for a UAE licence or hold an international driving licence.

You mention you are from the US, I guess TA5 might be able to help you there. Drop him a PM, and hopefully he can help you. Otherwise contact the driving licence office and they will be able to tell you.

TanyaN

Contact AAA in the States.

akirakhan

Hi Zannie thanks for the help,
But... I think you are going to get a big suprise if you try to rent a car in Abu Dhabi without an international driver's license -I guess they require it of everyone regardless of nationality. If you found an exception please let me know.
James

Border Reiver

Did you try several car hire companies? I have never heard of this (but have never tried to rent a car in AD myself). Maybe the bigger multinational chains have a different policy?

akirakhan

yea, tried them all -turns out you dont need one in Dubai but you do here. This isnt suprising since I've run into just about every other kind of delay here already...

IndieG

.......and yet you want to drive to Abu Dhabi

You are either are a very brave soul or just suicidal

PS: How many days do you need it for? Maybe I can help........

akirakhan

actually not that brave -more afraid but not sure how else to get the work done. I think I've got it taken care of: my wife went to AAA yesterday with my completed form (she filled it out and luckily we still had some extra visa photos from Laos for it) and got it immediately! She sent it to me and hopefully I will get it in 3-5 days (Ill keep my fingers crossed).

Thanks Indiegirl, are you hanging out in Abu Dhabi too?
James

Air Polygamy

:scared:
This is the first bad news of the day. First it's holiday here, then I just read INTL driver's licenses are mandatory. I have one but it expired and I've rented a car for my whole stay in Abu DHabi. I'm leaving today :scared: :scared: :scared: !!!!!

SO what's the worse that could happen? I Have a French and US driver's license, what can I do now?

akirakhan

When you go to rent dont mentioned it and see what happens. Hope it goes well, please let us know!

Welivehere

You could get the bus to Dubai, rent the car there, drive back to Abu Dhabi, use it for your stay then just reverse the process when you go....

Just check with the car rental people in Dubai what they need before you leave Abu...

Air Polygamy

Do you think I could ask to get the car in Dubai even if I asked to pick it up at AUH?

Fairydust

Which company have you rented it through?

I need to make some phone calls in a few minutes to organise a car for next week so I can ask them if you let me know

akirakhan

I know folks that rented cars in Dubai then came to Abu Dhabi but they dropped off the cars in Dubai not AD. BTW according to the rental car places here you are not allowed to do that... is that a hoot or what?
So if anything happens while driving in AD you will be SCREWED. And I hear at least 1 accident / 2-4 hours on the street next to me. People drive like complete maniacs! -you'll see what I mean.

Fairydust

Is that all - you must be on a very quiet back street then