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Localiza · United Arab Emirates

Does Localiza require an IDP in United Arab Emirates?

Daniel MercerWritten by Daniel MercerUpdated July 2026
Yes, bring one
Many rental companies and local authorities in United Arab Emirates ask foreign drivers to present a translation of their licence alongside the original, so Localiza will typically ask for it at the counter.
Localiza in United Arab Emirates
Localiza IDP policyBring an IDP (foreign drivers)
Localiza footprintSouth America
Accepted format1968 Vienna
Minimum rental age18+ (surcharge under 25)
Drives on theRight

Localiza in United Arab Emirates: the policy in plain terms

Asks foreign renters to present a licence translation with their home licence at the counter across Brazil and Latin America. The largest car-rental company in Latin America.

Tourists are commonly asked for an IDP with their national licence to rent and drive in the UAE; the printed booklet is typically requested.

In United Arab Emirates specifically, many rental companies and local authorities in United Arab Emirates ask foreign drivers to present a translation of their licence alongside the original, so Localiza will typically ask for it at the counter. Dubai and Abu Dhabi desks ask for an IDP for most non-GCC licences.

Localiza runs a south america network; at its United Arab Emirates desks, foreign renters are asked for an International Driving Permit in the 1968 Vienna Convention format alongside the original licence. United Arab Emirates drives on the right, uses the AED, and sets a minimum driving age of 18, so an IDP is the document that removes any doubt at the counter.

What to bring to the Localiza counter in United Arab Emirates

  • Your original national driving licence (the IDP never replaces it).
  • Your International Driving Permit in the 1968 Vienna Convention format.
  • Your passport and a payment card in the main driver's name.
  • Local payment for the AED deposit; United Arab Emirates drives on the right with a young-driver surcharge under 25.

Driving rules in United Arab Emirates Localiza renters should know

  • Zero-tolerance alcohol law while driving.
  • Extensive speed-camera (radar) enforcement.
  • Salik electronic tolls in Dubai.
  • Tailgating and lane discipline strictly fined.

Localiza's rental terms that affect your IDP booking

Minimum age & young-driver surcharge

Localiza's minimum rental age is 18 (lowered from 21 across Brazil), but drivers under 21 must add the mandatory "Condutor Jovem" (Young Driver) surcharge at booking; the exact fee is set per rental/location and quoted at reservation rather than published as a flat amount.

Deposit & accepted cards

A credit card (physical or contactless) in the reservation holder's or financial responsible party's name is required for a pre-authorization hold; debit cards are not accepted for the security guarantee. Customers without a credit card can instead pass a weekday business-hours credit evaluation, with daily rentals up to 28 days available for an approximately R$39.90 fee if approved.

Additional drivers

Each additional driver must be registered on the contract and present a valid licence and ID at the counter; Localiza does not publish a flat additional-driver fee, charging it per rate plan and location at pickup. Localiza requires a valid full driver's licence but does not publish a fixed minimum holding period; instead the young-driver surcharge (under-21) is the gating control, so a valid current licence is the stated requirement.

Cross-border & one-way

Cross-border driving within Mercosur (Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay) requires the mandatory "Carta Verde"/Green Card insurance and advance authorization, typically requested at booking; one-way rentals returning in a different country incur a one-way fee that is usually higher than the cross-border fee, so both must be arranged in advance.

IDP & foreign-licence rule

Foreign customers must present a valid licence from a country in Brazil's "Reciprocity Agreement" plus a passport, and may drive for up to 180 days from their date of entry (respecting the original licence validity); entry must be proven with a passport stamp, boarding pass, or immigration approval document. An International Driving Permit is referenced under the applicable legislation for non-reciprocity or non-Roman-alphabet licences.

Once you collect the keys in United Arab Emirates

Tolls & road charges

Dubai's Salik gantries charge AED 4-6 per pass automatically by plate with no booths; Abu Dhabi runs a similar 'Darb' toll. Rental companies hold a Salik deposit and bill passes (plus an admin fee) to your card after the rental.

Parking in town

Street parking in Dubai is paid via the RTA Smart Parking app or SMS by zone code, and Abu Dhabi uses the Mawaqif system; rates and time limits are shown on roadside meters, and unpaid or wrong-zone parking draws fines and possible towing.

Fines & camera enforcement

Automated cameras issue speeding (from AED 300-3,000), phone-use (AED 800) and seatbelt (AED 400) fines; there are no on-the-spot cash payments. Charges surface on the police portal within weeks and rental firms deduct them from your deposit before refunding.

If you have an accident

Call Police on 999; for a minor, no-injury accident file a report through the Dubai Police app (Minor Traffic Accident Report) - the at-fault driver pays AED 520. Do not leave the scene or move cars on injury/dispute accidents until police attend.

Full driving guide for United Arab Emirates

Common questions

01
Do I need an IDP to rent from Localiza in United Arab Emirates?
Many rental companies and local authorities in United Arab Emirates ask foreign drivers to present a translation of their licence alongside the original, so Localiza will typically ask for it at the counter. Foreign customers must present a valid licence from a country in Brazil's "Reciprocity Agreement" plus a passport, and may drive for up to 180 days from their date of entry (respecting the original licence validity); entry must be proven with a passport stamp, boarding pass, or immigration approval document. An International Driving Permit is referenced under the applicable legislation for non-reciprocity or non-Roman-alphabet licences.
02
What documents should I bring to the Localiza desk in United Arab Emirates?
Bring your original national driving licence, your International Driving Permit in the 1968 Vienna Convention format, your passport, and the payment card in the main driver's name. United Arab Emirates drives on the right and the minimum rental age is typically 18+.
03
What is the minimum age to rent from Localiza in United Arab Emirates?
Localiza's minimum rental age is 18 (lowered from 21 across Brazil), but drivers under 21 must add the mandatory "Condutor Jovem" (Young Driver) surcharge at booking; the exact fee is set per rental/location and quoted at reservation rather than published as a flat amount. Locally, United Arab Emirates sets a minimum driving age of 18 and most desks add a young-driver surcharge under 25.
04
What deposit and card does Localiza require?
A credit card (physical or contactless) in the reservation holder's or financial responsible party's name is required for a pre-authorization hold; debit cards are not accepted for the security guarantee. Customers without a credit card can instead pass a weekday business-hours credit evaluation, with daily rentals up to 28 days available for an approximately R$39.90 fee if approved.
05
Can I take a Localiza rental across the border or drop it one-way?
Cross-border driving within Mercosur (Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay) requires the mandatory "Carta Verde"/Green Card insurance and advance authorization, typically requested at booking; one-way rentals returning in a different country incur a one-way fee that is usually higher than the cross-border fee, so both must be arranged in advance.
06
Does Localiza charge for an additional driver?
Each additional driver must be registered on the contract and present a valid licence and ID at the counter; Localiza does not publish a flat additional-driver fee, charging it per rate plan and location at pickup. Localiza requires a valid full driver's licence but does not publish a fixed minimum holding period; instead the young-driver surcharge (under-21) is the gating control, so a valid current licence is the stated requirement.
07
How do tolls work for a rental car in United Arab Emirates?
Dubai's Salik gantries charge AED 4-6 per pass automatically by plate with no booths; Abu Dhabi runs a similar 'Darb' toll. Rental companies hold a Salik deposit and bill passes (plus an admin fee) to your card after the rental.
08
What happens if I get a traffic fine driving a Localiza car in United Arab Emirates?
Automated cameras issue speeding (from AED 300-3,000), phone-use (AED 800) and seatbelt (AED 400) fines; there are no on-the-spot cash payments. Charges surface on the police portal within weeks and rental firms deduct them from your deposit before refunding.
09
What is Localiza's general policy on International Driving Permits?
Asks foreign renters to present a licence translation with their home licence at the counter across Brazil and Latin America. Localiza operates the largest rental fleet in Brazil (and, post-merger with Unidas, one of the largest in Latin America), with an extensive network across Brazil and neighboring South American countries.
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