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Is it possible to hire a car if you only have a tourist visa?

Is it possible to hire a car if you only have a tourist visa?

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Old Feb 11th 2011, 12:05 pm
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Default Is it possible to hire a car if you only have a tourist visa?

Is this possible if you only have a UK driving licence, not an IDP? Any help much appreciated
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Old Feb 11th 2011, 12:54 pm
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Default Re: Is it possible to hire a car if you only have a tourist visa?

Yes - some friends of ours visited and hired from Hertz - showed their UK licence and passport.
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Old Feb 11th 2011, 5:16 pm
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Default Re: Is it possible to hire a car if you only have a tourist visa?

If you are a resident you need a UAE licence.
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Old Feb 11th 2011, 5:59 pm
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Default Re: Is it possible to hire a car if you only have a tourist visa?

You can hire a car on your UK licence even if you don't have a UAE Licence.

I did it from September to March a few years ago whilst waiting for my work visa.
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Old Feb 11th 2011, 6:46 pm
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Default Re: Is it possible to hire a car if you only have a tourist visa?

Thanks for your replies, most helpful and they have been passed on to my friends
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Old Feb 12th 2011, 5:29 am
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Default Re: Is it possible to hire a car if you only have a tourist visa?

Originally Posted by hnd
Thanks for your replies, most helpful and they have been passed on to my friends
My experience is different... In AD when we (and family) tried to hire a car no one (including the back street 80dh/day guys) would touch us unless they had the IDP. It might be an AD thing though.

The IDP isn't expensive and you just buy it from the AA. I wouldn't take the risk.
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Old Feb 13th 2011, 2:40 am
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Default Re: Is it possible to hire a car if you only have a tourist visa?

Originally Posted by EmiratesMillhouse
The IDP isn't expensive and you just buy it from the AA. I wouldn't take the risk.
You can get it from the Post Office too. It's really easy, just a pain it only lasts a year.
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Old Feb 13th 2011, 7:32 am
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Default Re: Is it possible to hire a car if you only have a tourist visa?

I had an IDP when I got here but the car hire company wouldn't accept it as my residence visa was in progress- apparently this is only acceptable for a tourist not a resident.
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Old Feb 13th 2011, 8:50 am
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Default Re: Is it possible to hire a car if you only have a tourist visa?

Originally Posted by hnd
Is this possible if you only have a UK driving licence, not an IDP? Any help much appreciated
The law states that a driver must have an IDP to hire a care in the UAE, even if certain rental companies don't ask for it. It could be a problem if there is an accident as the insurance could be invalidated.
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Old Feb 17th 2011, 7:17 pm
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Default Re: Is it possible to hire a car if you only have a tourist visa?

Thanks people for your replies. Have been away for a few days so have only just now managed to catch up. But have found this in the meantime:

"British nationals possessing a visit visa may drive a UAE rental car using their British driving licence."

The above is from the FCO site:

http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-...-arab-emirates

As usual, clear as mud ...
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Old Feb 20th 2011, 9:35 am
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Default Re: Is it possible to hire a car if you only have a tourist visa?

Originally Posted by hnd
Thanks people for your replies. Have been away for a few days so have only just now managed to catch up. But have found this in the meantime:

"British nationals possessing a visit visa may drive a UAE rental car using their British driving licence."

The above is from the FCO site:

http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-...-arab-emirates

As usual, clear as mud ...
Well. yes, as we've all said, but it really doesn't matter what the FCO says as it is UAE law that applies and that states that you must be in possession of an IDP.
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Old Feb 20th 2011, 9:50 am
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Default Re: Is it possible to hire a car if you only have a tourist visa?

Europcar and Avis in AD will both rent with UK license only.
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Old Feb 20th 2011, 10:19 am
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Default Re: Is it possible to hire a car if you only have a tourist visa?

Originally Posted by Mischief Queen
Europcar and Avis in AD will both rent with UK license only.
How many times do I have to explain this? It does not matter if the rental company only asks for a UK licence. The law states that you need an IDP - no matter whether you are asked to show it or not - to drive legally on a tourist visa.
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Old Feb 20th 2011, 10:20 am
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Default Re: Is it possible to hire a car if you only have a tourist visa?

Originally Posted by Meow
How many times do I have to explain this?
one more time please Meow. Just for me.
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Old Feb 20th 2011, 10:21 am
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Default Re: Is it possible to hire a car if you only have a tourist visa?

Originally Posted by EmiratesMillhouse
one more time please Meow. Just for me.
Now who's special?
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