Renting a car in the UAE as a tourist is completely straightforward, especially if you hold a license from a recognized country. An International Driving Permit (IDP) is recommended for some nationalities, but visitors from most Western countries can drive on their home license. I sorted everything out with Saadat Rent https://saadatrent.ae/ — they walked me through the requirements before I even confirmed my booking.

Speed limits, Salik toll gates, and parking rules are the three things to brush up on before you hit the road. The highways are smooth and well-signed, and driving to Abu Dhabi or Sharjah from Dubai is perfectly doable on a day trip. Having a rental gives you that spontaneous flexibility that no taxi or rideshare can match.