Dubai is a top tourist destination for people around the world. Millions of people visit the city every year and they require transportation for exploring the city. This attracts a lot of entrepreneurs for setting up a business due to its strategic location and large tourist gatherings, providing ample opportunities for new businesses to grow. And when it comes to starting a car rental business, there are a lot of expatriates who don’t want to buy a vehicle and rather prefer to take public transport or rent a car in Dubai. Whether for the daily tofro office trips, business meetings, long trips with a girlfriend, shopping with kids, taking your doggo to the vet or weekend barbecues with friends, a car is the most convenient and preferred means of transport in Dubai or any other emirate of the UAE.
With rental vehicles, people have the leverage to make as many stops as they want and extend their stay at places they find interesting. Car rental businesses in Dubai are advantageous if you understand the industry and are prepared to use new technology. According to the latest statistics published by World Population Review, around 3 million people reside in Dubai as of 2023. Out of this, 85% people are non-citizens.
Millions of tourists travel to Dubai every year to visit the emirate’s incredible architecture, historical and religious sites, beaches, restaurants, and nature. Many tourists arriving in the country will be looking to hire a car to explore the rest of the UAE.
Although public transport in Dubai is one of the best in the country and covers the whole of the city, people also prefer to rent cars because there are certain limitations such as meeting strict work timings during rush hours or planning for a quick trip.
Another benefit of starting a car rental business in Dubai is that it will allow you to make the most of emerging technology. Thanks to smartphones, apps and geolocation, it is easier than ever for people to pick up and rent cars as when they need them
There are a few potential license types you could apply for, depending on the type of vehicle rental you hope to do. The most common is ‘Passenger Transport and Car Rent’, although you may need a different license if you operate in a slightly different sector.
choosing a business location is crucial. Since you will need physical premises for your fleet of vehicles, you will need some space. A strategic location will help you here, whether close to an airport, seaport, or another transport hub to meet the needs of tourists, business travelers, and local customers.
To operate a car rental business in Dubai, you need to get a Non-objection certificate NOC from RTA (The Roads and Transport Authority). Upon receiving the NOC, you must submit the filled-out application. Paying the associated fees as part of your business license application is also essential
Getting your license to run a car rental company in Dubai takes just a few days – so long as all your paperwork is in order and your application form and fees are all correct. At MARKEF, we help you by checking that all your paperwork meets the requirements so that you avoid any unnecessary admin obstacles.
When you consider how to start a car rental business in Dubai, you need to consider the costs involved before you begin trading. You’ll need to factor in the cost of your trade license, your premises, the RTA authorizations, and the cost of your fleet of cars. Launching a car rental firm in Dubai varies in cost depending on how many visas you require. If no visas are needed, starting a car rental company can cost as little as AED 12,500. Besides the license cost, you will also need funds to pay for the vehicles you hope to rent, insurance, office space, car cleaning services, and marketing costs.
If you want to launch a car rental business in Dubai, you will need to provide the following documents as part of the application process.
To establish and run a mainland car rental company in Dubai, you need a commercial license that DED dispenses. Submit to DED an online application complete with all the required details and attachments to obtain one. Below is the list of documents that are required for a car rental business license in Dubai: