Do you find yourself in need of attending an urgent work meeting but lack access to your vehicle? While it may be tempting to ask a colleague for the use of their car, it is important to consider the legal implications of driving a vehicle that is not registered in your name in the UAE.
Under Article 447 of Federal Decree-Law No. 31 of 2021, individuals can face detention for up to one year and a fine of up to Dh10,000 if they use a car, motorcycle, or similar vehicle without the owner’s permission. This law emphasizes the importance of obtaining proper authorization before operating a vehicle that does not belong to you.
To ensure that you are in compliance with the law and avoid any potential legal consequences, it is essential to understand the regulations surrounding borrowing a friend’s or colleague’s car.
1. You must always have a valid driver’s licence
It is essential to possess a valid driver’s license that is recognized in the UAE, regardless of the vehicle you are operating. This can either be a UAE driver’s license or, for tourists, an international driver’s license. According to Article 51 of the UAE traffic law, individuals caught driving without a valid license or driving a vehicle they are not authorized to operate may face imprisonment for up to three months, a fine of up to Dh5,000, or both.
For UAE residents, only a UAE driver’s license is acceptable. Tourists, on the other hand, can drive in the UAE with an international driver’s license.
Visitors from certain countries can also drive in the UAE using their home country’s driver’s license.
- All the GCC nations
- Australia
- Austria
- Belgium
- Spain
- Germany
- France
- Ireland
- Netherlands
- Italy
- United Kingdom
- Turkey
- Greece
- Switzerland
- Norway
- Denmark
- Sweden
- Romania
- Poland
- Finland
- Portugal
- Canada
- United States
- South Korea
- Hong Kong
- Singapore
- Japan
- New Zealand
- South Africa
According to Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), visitors to the UAE holding a valid international driving license are permitted to rent or drive a car registered in their name or that of a first-degree relative.
2. You must have permission to drive the vehicle
As previously stated, it is crucial to obtain permission from the owner before driving a vehicle, whether it be a friend or colleague. This requirement is outlined in Article 447 of the UAE Penal Code.
What happens if one gets into an accident?
If the individual driving the car is involved in an accident, will the vehicle owner’s insurance policy cover the damage? In most cases, yes, as long as specific criteria are met.
According to the unified policy on automobile insurance established by the UAE’s Insurance Authority, if a friend is driving my car and meets certain requirements – such as having a valid driver’s license issued at least a year ago and being over the age of 25 – any accident claim should be covered by my insurance policy. However, this may impact my claim history, although we have seen such cases covered in the past.
In situations where the driver is under 25 years old or their driver’s license was issued less than a year ago, an additional 10% payment on the ‘excess amount’ will be required. The excess amount is the sum paid by the responsible party in an accident, known in insurance terms as an ‘at fault claim.’
When insuring high net worth vehicles, such as supercars, insurance companies often customize policies to fit the unique needs of the customer. Special clauses may be included in the policy to address specific concerns. For instance, restrictions may be placed on who can drive the vehicle, such as requiring drivers to be over the age of 30. Alternatively, a ‘named driver policy’ may be implemented, where only the driver listed on the policy is covered in the event of an accident.
While these policies typically provide coverage for accidents involving the vehicle, it is crucial to understand any exceptions and adhere to all guidelines when borrowing a friend’s car. By following the rules outlined in the policy, you can ensure that you are protected in the event of an unforeseen incident.