Does Sixt require an IDP in United Arab Emirates?
Sixt in United Arab Emirates: the policy in plain terms
Asks for a licence translation for licences issued outside the EU and not in the Roman alphabet. Premium European brand with a fast-growing global network.
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 Sixt will typically ask for it at the counter. Dubai and Abu Dhabi desks ask for an IDP for most non-GCC licences.
Sixt runs a europe / global 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 Sixt 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 Sixt 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.
Sixt's rental terms that affect your IDP booking
Minimum age is region-specific: typically 21 in the US (18 in New York, where an under-25 fee still applies) and 18 in much of continental Europe such as Germany and France; drivers aged 21-24 pay a young-driver surcharge of roughly USD 25-30 per day in the US (about GBP 36 per rental in the UK, around EUR 5-6 per day in markets like Cyprus), and under-25s are usually limited to economy through full-size sedans, midsize SUVs and minivans.
A credit or debit card in the main driver's name must be presented at pickup; Sixt holds a security deposit of at least USD 200 plus the rental amount on the card, with substantially higher holds on premium/high-value vehicles, and debit-card acceptance and limits vary by branch and vehicle class.
A per-rental additional-driver fee applies; extra drivers can be added at any Sixt branch during the rental provided the main driver is present and the additional driver shows a valid licence (some European markets waive the fee for a spouse/partner). The driver must typically have held a full valid licence for at least 1 year (rising to 2-3 years in higher-risk markets such as Cyprus, while Germany requires the licence be held only since at least the day before pickup).
Most Sixt passenger vehicles may be driven across borders into listed neighbouring countries (e.g. France, Germany, Spain, Italy within Europe), but you must notify and get authorisation from the pickup branch in advance; a cross-border and/or one-way drop-off fee applies, and certain vehicle classes and destination countries are restricted.
Sixt does not require an International Driving Permit everywhere, but states that where local law requires it the IDP must be carried alongside the original home licence; if the licence is in a non-Roman alphabet (Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Cyrillic, etc.) the renter must present an IDP or an official translation, and an official translation is also required if the issuing country is not party to the international driving-permit treaty.
Once you collect the keys 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.
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.
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.
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 →