You're in Dubai for a week. Of course, you wish to see as much of the city as you can. Instead of relying on public transport, you decided you'd rather get around in a private car.
Good choice. You won't need to wait around for a taxi. Go anywhere you want, leave anytime you find convenient, and never be subject to the whims of public transport.
The question is: Do you rent a car and drive yourself around the city, or is a Dubai chauffeur service better than a self-drive?
Read on and find the answer to this question.
Why Self-Drive?
Do you enjoy driving? Rent a car and drive yourself. Dubai has beautifully maintained roads and an extensive road network. You can have so much fun exploring Dubai the city, Dubai the emirate, and the rest of the United Arab Emirates.
Self-driving also lets you be alone in the car with your thoughts. You won't have to contend with an intrusive presence that may mar your enjoyment of the moment. You can even rent a sportscar and enjoy the power of its engine, revving up and responding to the slightest change in pedal pressure.
Why Rent a Car With a Driver?
There are many reasons you may need to rent a car with a driver instead, and below are four of them:
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You don't have a license to drive in Dubai.
Driving in Dubai requires that you have an international driving permit (IDP) plus a driver's license from your home country. You must obtain the permit from your home country.
This means preparing the required documents and lining up at the government agency responsible for issuing IDPs in your country. You must get your IDP before you leave for Dubai.
If you do not have the time to do this, you have no choice but to rent a car with a driver in Dubai.
Note: By the way, there are countries exempted from the IDP requirement. These countries include the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand.
If you hail from an IDP-exempt country, your driver's license from your home country is enough to authorize you to drive around in the UAE.
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You don't want to run afoul of the local law.
Dubai's traffic fines can be steep. Dubai is also quite vigilant in monitoring its roads and strict in enforcing its laws.
What do these things mean for you? Unless you're very careful, you can find yourself violating Dubai's traffic laws and getting slapped with an expensive fine.
Even if you were the most conscientious driver, you may still slip up in Dubai. You're a visitor; you're unfamiliar with the traffic rules, so you do have a high chance of breaking at least one of them.
In your home country, you might occasionally pass a solid yellow line to overtake another vehicle in front. Is that a violation of your country's laws? Yes. Wherever you are, passing a solid yellow line is likely to be a violation of established rules.
The difference lies in enforcement. In your home country, you may be slapped with a warning. You may not even be apprehended, and the authorities may not even notice your transgression.
It's a different story in Dubai. The roads are actively monitored by cameras and advanced systems that automatically tag traffic violations, including the failure to adhere to lane discipline.
Pass a solid yellow line? That's an automatic AED 400 fine.
You may be wondering. "But I'm a tourist. Isn't it okay if I don't pay the fines?"
Well, the rental company will be notified of your violations, and they will pass on the penalty to you. If you don't pay the fines, you may face issues getting out of the UAE or returning to the UAE on a future date.
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You want to make the most of your trip.
If you drive in Dubai, you're likely going to waste some time getting lost. You're unfamiliar with the city; even with navigation, you can lose your way in Dubai.
A car rental in Dubai with a driver is the way to go if you don't want to lose any of your vacation time to losing and finding your way. Having a rental car with a driver enables you to plan your itinerary with the greatest amount of precision. You won't have to lose your dinner reservations at that must-try restaurant or miss a show you've been looking forward to catching.
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You want to avoid the stress of getting stuck in traffic.
Dubai roads can get highly congested at peak times. If you want to avoid the stress that comes with getting stuck in traffic, rent a car with a chauffeur.
Having a driver means it won't matter how long you remain on the road. You can spend the time scrolling on your phone, reading, working, or doing some other productive thing instead of feeling anxious and stressed as you wait for the traffic to move.
Self-Drive or Get a Rental Car With a Driver?
If you're renting a car in Dubai, it's better to hire a chauffeur service. It empowers you to go where you want to go when you want to do so, but without the stress of driving on unfamiliar roads and getting stuck, lost, and potentially fined for traffic violations.
