According to UAE laws, the tenant must provide a valid international or Emirati license. If the driver is younger than the prescribed age or does not have a permit, the company usually refuses. Nevertheless, it is common practice to rent through a trusted person: the contract is signed by an adult, and someone else is driving. This bypasses age or licensing restrictions but comes with legal and insurance risks.
Statistics and Extent of the Violation
Although there are few official statistics, insurers estimate that about 15-20% of hypercar cases involve a mismatch between the actual driver and the license holder. In several accidents involving rented cars, it turned out that a person was driving without the right category or with an expired ID.
Financial and Insurance Consequences
Rental companies include in the contract a clause on the responsibility of the tenant for the consent of all drivers. If, in the event of an accident, it turns out that the person driving was not authorized, the insurance may be cancelled, and instead of covering the damage, the customer will have to pay tens of thousands of AED out of his own pocket.
Reasons for such Schemes
- Age restrictions: in the Emirates, it is allowed to drive a hypercar from the age of 25 and with sufficient experience.
- Driving experience requirements: Some companies require a minimum of two years of commercial experience or an international license.
- Insurance limits: an employer who does not meet these conditions costs a formal client.
Risks to Customers and Reputation
The risk is not only financial, but also reputational: large rental agencies share data on “problem tenants.” If a client is blacklisted, this may limit the possibility of renting in the future.
What Measures are Companies Taking?
In response to carsharing violations with hypercars, several companies have tightened conditions in 2024.:
- Request a video recording of the tenant’s face during key transfer.
- License verification via QR code and direct integration with the RTA portal.
- An additional agreement on the full compliance of drivers with license holders.
How to Act Safely
If you are planning a rental, it is better to sign a contract for yourself or make sure that all persons who can drive are listed in the contract and have a valid license. This will reduce the risks of insurance cancellation and problems with the law.
Conclusion
Scenarios where a rented hypercar is driven by a person without a license are common, but they contradict the laws and insurance regulations of car hire UAE.. Despite the appearance of freedom, such schemes can have serious legal and financial consequences. The safe approach is the official verification of all drivers and compliance with legal requirements.
