UAE-Oman Self-Driving Guide (Including Self-Driving Border Crossing Strategy)

Sept. 17, 2025, 2:51 a.m. Travel

How to rent a car and drive in the UAE and Oman? What practical information do you need to know in advance? How to drive from the UAE to Oman? This guide will help you handle all the affairs of the Middle East countries with a one-time solution.

Why choose self-driving?

The Arabian Peninsula is a large area, and the UAE's territory is elongated, while Oman has a vast region. Most tourists' destinations are concentrated in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, and public transportation/taxis can basically meet the travel needs. However, if you need to go to the desert, the Hunter Hospital, other emirates, or go to Oman, there is almost no public transportation to choose from, and taxis are also limited (many places cannot use Uber), it is recommended to rent a car and drive more conveniently.

For example: Abu Dhabi to Al Ain is 150km, about 1.5 hours.
Dubai to Muscat is 430km, about 4.5 hours.
Dubai to Abu Dhabi is 150km, about 1.5 hours.

How to rent a car?

Before departure, you can place an order on a rental car platform/rental car company's website, prepare the necessary documents and pick-up form, after exiting the airport, follow the Car Rental/Rent a Car sign to find the rental car company booth to handle the pick-up procedure.
You can also not place an order in advance, and rent a car at the booth upon arrival. However, this may result in vehicle shortage/high prices.

What materials/procedures are needed to rent a car?

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The UAE and Oman local regulations all support the rental of Chinese driver's licenses.The materials required when renting a car include:
1, the original driver's license and English translation (if available);
2, the original passport of the driver;
3, the international credit card of the driver;
4, the printed pick-up voucher (you can download it yourself after confirming the rental order).

When picking up the car in the store, there are approximately the following procedures:
1, provide the above materials to the staff in the store, and the staff will confirm the order;
2, sign the rental documents and various agreements;
3, pay a security deposit (mainly used to cover subsequent fines for traffic violations, vehicle repair fees, etc., and will be automatically refunded upon expiration);
4, confirm the vehicle, check the vehicle condition and fuel level (also confirm the type of oil to add), hand over the key, sign the vehicle handover document, etc. You can then start your self-driving trip!

About parking

Public parking lots in cities are quite abundant, parking in Dubai and Abu Dhabi is relatively strict, you must park in parking lots/dedicated parking lots with markings, parking in violation of the rules may result in fines, while in Muscat, Sharjah, Las Marina, there are many free parking places.
When parking, pay attention to the parking signs, most parking lots/roadside parking are charged, different regions have different charging prices. You need to pay in advance and then place the printed parking voucher under the windshield/place it in the car's windshield for visibility. Remember to note the parking time and extend or take the car away before the expiration time.

Parking fee table

Tips:
How to use the parking meter:
1. Look at the stickers on the machine and confirm the parking amount and parking time.
2. Estimate the parking time based on your own parking time and invest coins (usually 1Dhs coins), and the screen will display the invested amount in real time. After paying the full amount, click to confirm. You can also use a card to pay (but after trying several international credit cards, give up), or directly pay by sending a text message to the local phone card.
3. The machine will print a parking voucher with a time stamp, indicating the end of parking time, please remember to return and renew or take the car away before the expiration time!
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About fuel prices

The Middle East has abundant oil production, and fuel prices are particularly favorable. There are generally two types of oil: Special 95 and Super 98. The oil price in January 2020 was about 2.12Dhs per liter, equivalent to approximately 4 yuan/liter, and the other type was 2.24Dhs per liter, equivalent to 4.3 yuan/liter.
There are many gas stations in the UAE and Oman, but if the distance between cities is relatively long, it is recommended to reserve sufficient fuel in advance. From Muscat to Al Ain, if you take the Muscat Express, this route currently has incomplete supporting facilities, you need to go down the highway to nearby cities to refuel.

Green gas stations

Self-driving precautions

1, the UAE and Oman both drive on the right, and the driver's seat is on the left side of the vehicle, consistent with domestic regulations.
2, there are many electronic eyes and speed guns along the route, pay attention not to violate traffic rules or exceed the speed limit.
3, you need to give way to pedestrians on zebra crossings.
4, small children need to use child seats, and cannot sit in the passenger seat.
5, do not use mobile phones while driving, and all passengers must wear seat belts.

How to cross the border from the UAE to Oman by car?

(1) Before departure, you need to obtain an Oman visa online (the procedure is simple, and after printing the electronic visa issued, you can print it). (2) When renting a car, confirm with the rental car company whether the vehicle can cross the border, and inform the rental car company in advance when picking up the car to prepare the necessary documents for crossing the border (it is best to confirm during the order). (3) When picking up the car, pay an additional amount of 525AED for crossing the border, most UAE rental car companies will not purchase Oman car insurance, you need to sign a waiver agreement, which means that the car will not be insured if it causes an accident in Oman, and the car needs to return to the domestic territory for repair if it malfunctions. (4) When crossing the border, you can take the Hatta Border or Al Lin Border, the gate is relatively formal, but the people are more crowded. We waited for two hours at the Hatta Border. (5) At the first checkpoint, the UAE exits, you need to present the passport and queue for registration, (6) Oman entry, hold the passport and visa and queue for entry registration. (7) After completing the formalities, enter Oman.

Self-driving practical app recommendations
1, Google Map: More accurate map in overseas regions, also works well in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, but it's better to use Google in other regions.
2, Dubai Police: The app of Dubai Police, it's helpful to check traffic violations if you rent a car in Dubai.

3, RTA Dubai: Similar to Dubai BeePass, Dubai's public transportation is mostly operated by this company, including Dubai River Cruise, Metro and Bus, you can all find related information on this app.