Cars

If you do not have a residency visa you cannot own a car in the UAE.

The first choice you make about buying a car is new versus used. There are many new and used car dealers in Abu Dhabi offering competitive deals. Most brands are represented, although if you want a super-car, there is a very limited supply.

German, US and Japanese brands not surprisingly are the most popular, whilst nearly all major dealers have a previously owned department which supplies vehicles that are still covered by warranties.

There are many other reputable car dealerships that have been trading in Abu Dhabi for a number of years. Being fully dependent on the public transport system is not advisable, so owning a car is essential. As well as the dealerships, you can find cars for sale on supermarket notice boards, in online forums and in the local newspapers.

Car Rental / Lease

Depending on the length of your stay in Abu Dhabi, it may actually work out cheaper to lease a car, registration, insurance, maintenance are all included in the cost of leasing and generally with a longer lease period the rate reduces. Always check your car for any bumps or dents before you drive off as you will be responsible once off the premises.

All the major car hire companies have a presence in Abu Dhabi.

Listings of Car Lease / Rental Companies:

Finance Financing

your car will be a primary consideration.  If you choose not to cash buy then some new and used car dealerships offer finance. Finance is arranged with their affiliated bank but you may find you can get a better rate from your own bank. If you do take a finance option, be prepared to write out the cheques in advance for each monthly payment as there is no direct debit payment system in Abu Dhabi. (36 cheques for a 3 year finance period).

Registration

All cars must be registered annually with the Traffic Police. There is a one-month grace period after your registration has expired in which to have your car re- registered (hence the 13 month insurance period), but after that you'll face a Dhs.100 fine for each month that the registration has expired.

In order to get licence plates for the vehicle, the car must first be tested (used car), and then registered with Abu Dhabi Police. See www.adpolice.gov.ae

Vehicle Licensing can be done at the Traffic Police Headquarters www.adpolice.gov.ae for location.

Insurance

To get insurance you just need the normal information about the car such as make, model, and chassis number. There are many insurers available and the rates vary from 4% - 7% of the cars value. It is essential to consider personal accident insurance and bearing in mind the driving standards in Abu Dhabi, fully comprehensive insurance is advisable. It is also possible to insure against causing death to another motorist or pedestrian as under UAE law you are liable for blood money, payable to the victims family.

Accidents

Once you have your car, registration and insurance, you are free to drive. Drive carefully and also note that if you do have an accident, you must call the police. Your car cannot be legally repaired without an accident report. ‘Saaed’ will decide at the accident scene who is responsible, and hand out a pink or green form! ‘Saaed is a private company part owned by Abu Dhabi police, they responds to most minor traffic accidents in which there are no injuries. A hand held electronic devices is used to prepare incident reports, including diagrams of the scene to determine who is at fault. The results are available to the motorists online at www.saaed-co.com and then forwarded to the insurance companies to enable the claim to be processed.

In the case of a serious accident dial 999 or in less critical cases, call the police at their local station

  • General Police HQ 02 446 1461
  • Al Madina Police Station 02 698 5555
  • Shabia Police Station 02 696 6666
  • Capital Police Station 02 699 9999
  • Al Manaseer Police Station 02 665 6954

The Abu Dhabi Traffic Police Information Line is 02 419 6666, (Arabic & English) gives the numbers of Police stations around the Emirate or log onto their website www.adpolice.gov.ae/en