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Can You Legally Allow Another Person to Drive Your Rental Car in Dubai?
Imagine person “A” rents a car from Green Motion Car Rental in Dubai and then lets person “B” take it for a ride around the city. Sounds like a nice gesture, doesn’t it, or can we say that car ownership transfer in Dubai is allowed or not?
We often receive this question at Green Motion Car Rental, and we want to provide you with the answers.
Before discussing how to transfer car ownership in Dubai, let’s first differentiate between owning a vehicle and merely renting it.
Ownership vs. Responsibility: What’s the Difference?
When you hire a car, the rental company, which is Green Motion Car Rental here, still owns it. You, as the person renting it, just have the right to use it for a short time based on a rental contract. Therefore, no ownership of the car is passed to you in a rental agreement.
However, if another person, like “B,” drives the car and is not included in the rental agreement, so you have to inform the rental company in advance. In Dubai, only drivers who are named in the agreement can drive a rental car, but as per the company’s assurance, you can give your car to another person to ride for sometime.
This is not just about company policy — it’s about Dubai RTA car ownership transfer rules and insurance regulations.
What Happens If You Want to Change Ownership?
If you are purchasing or selling a vehicle rather than leasing it, then a proper transfer of car ownership in Dubai via the RTA is necessary. Here is the process for changing car ownership in Dubai if you intend to buy or sell a second-hand car.
How to Make It Legal: Used car transfer rules Dubai
So, what steps should you take to guarantee that your friend or relative can legally operate the rental car?
- The answer is easy: include them as an extra driver in your rental contract.
- Let us know ahead of time
- Give us their Emirates ID or passport, and driving license
- Make sure they are of legal driving age and have enough driving experience (21 years old and at least 1 year of driving)
- We will add them to your rental agreement
This does not mean that you are handing over ownership of the car; instead, you are legally sharing the responsibility.
RTA Guidelines for Using Rented Cars in Dubai
When it comes to renting a car in Dubai, you should know that you cannot change who owns the car, as the rental company retains ownership, not you or anyone else who drives it temporarily. The RTA has specific rules about who is allowed to operate a rented vehicle and how responsibility is determined.
Here are the rules set by the RTA for using rental cars in Dubai:
1. How to Legally Allow Another Person to Drive Your Rental Car
If you wish to let a friend or colleague drive your rental car:
- Notify Green Motion Car Rental when you make the reservation (or while you have the car),
- Provide a valid driving license for the additional driver (either UAE or international),
- Make sure the driver meets the RTA and insurance requirements (age, driving record),
- Pay a small fee for adding a driver, if needed.
After they are included in the contract, they are allowed to drive the car according to RTA and insurance laws.
2. Only Authorized Drivers Can Operate the Car
As per the RTA rules in Dubai, a rental vehicle can only be driven by:
The individual who rented it (the name on the agreement) and
Anyone listed as an authorized driver in the rental contract. If someone not mentioned in the agreement drives the rental car, you will be legally accountable for any:
- Traffic offenses
- Accidents
- Issues with insurance
- Legal consequences
3. RTA Does Not Permit Ownership Transfer of Rented Vehicles
Many people look for information about transferring rented car ownership in Dubai, but the truth is:
- The RTA prohibits transferring a rental car’s ownership to someone else.
- The car remains owned by the rental company (like Green Motion Car Rental).
- You cannot change the ownership through the RTA unless the vehicle is sold after it is taken off the rental list.
Documents Needed for Car Transfer in Dubai
- Emirates ID of both parties
- Valid vehicle insurance
- Technical inspection certificate
- Vehicle registration card
- Buyer’s driving license
- RTA traffic file
These are the important papers required for transferring a car in Dubai. Although this procedure is meant for selling personal vehicles, many individuals mistakenly think it applies to rentals. Keep in mind that renting a car does not mean changing ownership.
We have some questions about ownership transfer rules!
1. How to transfer car ownership in Dubai for used cars?
You’ll need to visit the RTA, provide all required documents, pass the technical inspection, and pay the transfer fee.
2. Can someone else drive the rental car I booked in Dubai?
Only if they’re added to your rental agreement, or you have to inform the rental company first, and use the car according to the rules.
The Main Point: Stay Safe
If you are renting a vehicle from Green Motion Car Rental and wish for another person to take the car for a drive, make sure to follow the proper procedure. Do not give the keys to that individual unless they are listed as an approved driver. If you do not, you may be responsible for any mishaps, penalties, or harm, even if you weren’t the one driving.
Final Thoughts from Green Motion Car Rental
At Green Motion Car Rental, we are dedicated to providing you with the freedom to drive in Dubai responsibly. Our goal is to ensure the rental process is clear while car ownership transfers in Dubai, and we must follow Dubai’s rules for car use.
So, before you allow someone else to drive, reach out to us. We are always available to assist you in driving safely and following the law.