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If you live in the UAE, you need to have a valid driver's license and car insurance to be able to drive in Dubai and other Emirates. On top of this, your car needs to be a left-hand drive to be legal on UAE roads. The UAE does not allow right-hand cars, with a few exceptions. If you tick all those boxes, you have nothing to worry about. You can drive around the UAE without any issues.

UAE – Top Tourist Destination

But we all know Dubai and the rest of the UAE is a hot destination for tourists. What we mean to say is that one of your friends or relatives might decide to visit you in Dubai. Undoubtedly, they would need an automobile to explore the beauty of the Emirates.

For some reason, you cannot take them around the city. So, you decide to lend them your vehicle to explore and have fun without worrying about transportation. You already know that they have a valid driver's license, and you even double-check to be on the safe side. Another scenario might be that your friend's car has broken down and is in the workshop getting fixed.

He needs your car to take care of some important stuff. So you decide to give him your car. However, as there is much traffic on the road in Dubai, you are beginning to ask yourself the most crucial question. Will my insurance company provide coverage if someone else is driving my car? This article will provide you with precisely this answer.

WHO IS ALLOWED TO DRIVE MY CAR IN DUBAI?

Previously, the law permitted a person on a visit visa and a valid driver's license to get behind the wheels of a rented car only. The same is not the case now because the Transportation Authority has changed the law and made it easy for tourists and other people to drive someone else’s vehicle.

If you are a resident of the UAE, you need to have a valid UAE's driver license only to drive someone else's car. In case you are on a visit visa, you can get behind the wheels of a Dubai registered vehicle only and take it to other cities as well under the condition that they hold a valid international driving license.

Valid International Driving Licence

However, if you are from the following countries having a valid passport and a visit visa, you are allowed to drive the car on your home country’s license as well. These countries include:

• Australia
• America
• Canada
• Belgium
• Austria
• Germany
• Spain
• Greece
• Switzerland
• Netherlands
• Portugal
• Finland
• Poland
• Turkey
• United Kingdom
• Japan
• South Africa
• Hong Kong
• Singapore
• New Zealand

Moreover, the list also includes countries part of the Gulf Cooperation Council(GCC). These countries are:

• Saudi Arabia
• Kuwait
• Qatar
• Bahrain
• Oman

How to Get a Driving License in the UAE?

If you have moved to the UAE for a job or residency, PitStopArabia recommends applying for a driving license. But be warned that most people fail the test several times. Why? There are people who consider the driving test challenging. However, that is not the case. In our experience, the people who fail the test are inexperienced and make rookie mistakes. We have already covered how to pass the driving test in the UAE in the first attempt. Go and give it a read.

Best Automobile Insurance Companies for Expats & Travellers

If you are looking for car insurance in the UAE, you are in the right place. We have covered every aspect of car insurance in the UAE on our website. If you are an expat or a traveller, check out our article on ‘TOP FIVE BEST CAR INSURANCE COMPANIES IN UAE FOR EXPATS AND TRAVELERS’.

WILL MY INSURANCE COMPANY PROVIDE COVERAGE?

By now, we know who can drive the car in Dubai. We can now come back to our original question: will my insurance company provide coverage if someone else drives my car? The answer to this question depends on your insurance company. Every insurance company has its policies, terms, and conditions regarding using an insured vehicle by someone else.

So it is highly recommended that you contact your insurance company first and talk to an agent before handing over the car keys to someone else. They may be eligible to drive your car in the UAE, including Dubai. But the question is, will your car insurance company cover them. One other thing to consider is that when the insurance company gives you a green signal, make sure you get it in writing.

There are insurance companies in the UAE that allow anyone to drive your car. However, they need to have a valid driver's license. Few insurance companies even ask non-resident drivers to get a provisional license from the UAE before driving the vehicle.

Some companies in the UAE provide insurance coverage to "designated drivers" only. The name of the designated driver is mentioned in the policy. If someone other than that driver drives and gets into an accident, the insurance company is not liable to pay for any damages.

In most cases, your insurance company provides coverage even if someone else is driving your car. The "designated driver" needs to have a valid license and must have given his consent to the other person who drives his car. However, you should first confirm whether your policy allows others to drive your vehicle to avoid any inconvenience or trouble in case of an accident.

Wrap Up

It concludes our article. If you have any questions in mind, let us know. We will get back to you promptly with a detailed answer. Lastly, rules keep changing. It might be that the law for driving someone else's car may change in the future. Therefore, always keep an eye on the changes to the relevant rules and regulations. Share the article with your friends and family so that they can benefit from the information.