Car rental in Abu Dhabi is available not only through the travel and specialized on-line services but also at physical car rental agencies located more or less everywhere in the city, mainly at strategic locations such as Abu Dhabi International Airport, surrounds of Port Zayed, at the main hotels and popular malls, such as Abu Dhabi Mall or Madinat Zayed Shopping Center. There are also two apps available, Udrive ed Ekar, but I didn’t test them and basically I don’t know them (also because I don’t drive).
To rent a car in Abu Dhabi are required: a copy of your passport, your credit card, a valid copy of your license, issued by the country of origin or the International license, model 1949 Geneva Convention, or model the Vienna Convention 1968.
If you have a resident visa, you need a copy of your valid UAE driving license.
Also, consider that:
In normal times, usually the traffic in Abu Dhabi is particularly heavy during peak hours, from 7 to 9 am and from 6 to 9 pm.
As drivers are from all over the world, it can be easily understood that caution is more than highly recommended.
Then:
- Car insurance is mandatory.
- Women can drive.
- Driving is on the right.
- The signs are in Arabic and English.
The public car parking in Abu Dhabi is managed by the Abu Dhabi Department of Transport through the program Mawaqif.
Public parking in Abu Dhabi
Public parking in Abu Dhabi is managed by the Abu Dhabi Department of Transportation through Mawaqif program.
Parking fees in Abu Dhabi are due from 8:00 to 24:00, Saturday to Thursday, while parking is is free on Fridays, public holidays and for people with special needs.
Parking near the mosques is free for 45 minutes from the call to prayer.
Parking payment in Abu Dhabi can be done:
• cash, by purchasing the ticket from Mawaqif Pay & Display machines: machines are turquoise, as the curbstone, and marked with the Mawaqif logo;
• by rechargeable cards, which can be purchased at Mawaqif customer service centers for AED 50. The balance will be added to the Mawaqif account once the card is activated online, on Mawaqif website, or using mobile;
• by SMS.
For all the details, please refer to the official English page of Abu Dhabi services, dedicated to public parking in Abu Dhabi
Toll Gates in Abu Dhabi
From January 2nd, 2021, the Emirate of Abu Dhabi collects road tolls, corresponding to four access bridges to Abu Dhabi City:
1. Sheikh Zayed Bridge
2. Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Bridge
3. Al Maqtaa Bridge
4. Mussafah Bridge
Payment is made through the DARB app: for costs and all support information, we recommend you to consult the official section dedicated to Toll Gates in Abu Dhabi.
