Frequently asked expat questions..
Need to go for an urgent work meeting and don’t have your car with you? Perhaps you could request a colleague to lend their car to you? Or maybe your friend just bought a brand new sports car, which you would like to take out for a spin. What are the legal implications of driving a car that is not registered under your name in the UAE? Here is all you need to know…
1. You must always have a valid driver’s licence Regardless of whose vehicle you are driving, it is imperative that you have a driver’s licence which is accepted in the UAE. This could be a UAE driver’s licence or in the case of tourists, an international driver’s licence. Article 51 of the UAE traffic law stipulates that a person who drives a vehicle without a driving licence, or drives a vehicle he/she is not licensed to drive shall be jailed for up to three months, or fined up to Dh5,000, or both.
In the case of UAE residence visa holders, only a UAE driving licence is accepted. If you are on a tourist visa, you can drive in the UAE on an international driving licence.
2. You must have permission to drive the vehicle Whether it is a friend or colleague, it is essential that you only drive a vehicle if the owner has provided his or her permission. Article 394 of Federal Penal Code states that a person shall he sentenced to detention for a term not exceeding one year and/or to a fine not in excess of Dh10,000, if they use a car or scooter or the like without permission or approval of its owner.
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