In the UAE, letting someone else drive your car requires careful consideration of legal and insurance implications. This comprehensive guide for 2025 outlines the five crucial steps you must take to ensure both your safety and compliance with local regulations, while also clarifying insurance terms and liability in case of accidents when letting someone else drive your car.
5 Essential Steps Before Letting Someone Else Drive Your Car
Step 1: Verify Insurance Coverage Before Letting Someone Else Drive Your Car
According to the latest UAE regulations in 2025, approximately 90% of car insurance policies typically include the following clauses:
✔ Named Driver Policy. This policy covers specific individuals listed in your insurance document when they are letting someone else drive your car.
✔ Temporary Third-Party Liability Insurance (must be registered at least 24 hours in advance). This provides temporary coverage for third-party damages when letting someone else drive your car, but requires prior registration. For instance, if a friend visiting for the weekend needs to borrow your car, ensure you activate this temporary coverage.
❌ Vehicle damage caused by an unauthorized driver is not covered. It's crucial to ensure the person driving has the necessary authorization to avoid complications if an accident occurs while letting someone else drive your car.
Immediately check your specific coverage by sending an SMS with INS followed by your car plate number to 1214.
Step 2: Obtain Driver Authorization Before Letting Someone Else Drive Your Car
Complete the authorization process through the UAE Ministry of Interior's smart services system:
Log in to website and select "Vehicle Services". This is the official platform to manage authorizations for letting someone else drive your car.
Upload the authorized driver's documents:
A scanned copy of their valid driver's license. Ensure the license of the person letting someone else drive your car is valid.
A front-facing photograph of their Emirates ID. This is necessary for identification purposes when letting someone else drive your car.
Pay the service fee of AED 35. This is the standard fee for processing the driver authorization for letting someone else drive your car.
Obtain the electronic authorization code (valid for 1-30 days, adjustable). You can adjust the validity period based on how long you intend to let someone else drive your car.
Step 3: Vehicle Safety Checklist Before Letting Someone Else Drive Your Car
Before granting permission, ensure the following:
Inspection Item | Compliance Requirement |
|---|---|
Tire Tread Depth | ≥ 1.6 mm |
Brake Sensitivity | Braking distance from 60km/h ≤ 20 meters |
Child Safety Seat | Mandatory for children under 4 years |
It is your responsibility to ensure the vehicle is in safe operating condition before letting someone else drive your car. For example, Mr. Ali, a resident of Sharjah, always checks his tire pressure and brake responsiveness before lending his car to a friend. |
Risk Avoidance and Liability Determination When Letting Someone Else Drive Your Car
Traffic Accident Handling Procedures When Someone Else is Driving Your Car
In the event of an accident while a non-owner is driving:
Immediately call the Dubai Police hotline at 901. This is the designated number for reporting accidents in Dubai when letting someone else drive your car.
Present the electronic authorization code. The police officer will likely ask for this code to verify the driver's permission to operate the vehicle.
Priority of Liability Determination:
Driver error (driver bears 70% responsibility). In most cases, the driver operating the vehicle will be primarily responsible for accidents occurring while letting someone else drive your car.
Vehicle mechanical failure (car owner bears 100% responsibility). If the accident is caused by a pre-existing mechanical issue with the car, the owner will be held fully responsible, even if someone else was driving.
Road defects (government bears 50% responsibility). In certain situations where road conditions contribute to the accident, the government might share responsibility.
Common Types of Fines for Unauthorized Driving
Typical penalties for non-compliance include:
Driving without authorization: AED 1,500 fine for the car owner. Ensure proper authorization is in place before letting someone else drive your car to avoid this penalty.
Accident during insurance expiry: Up to AED 2,000 fine + vehicle impoundment. Always maintain valid insurance coverage to prevent severe penalties when letting someone else drive your car.
Driving by a minor: Permanent confiscation of the car's license plates. Never allow minors to operate your vehicle.
Special Scenarios for Letting Someone Else Drive Your Car
Short-Term Driving Solutions for Foreign Relatives and Friends
Individuals with foreign driver's licenses need to:
Obtain an International Driving Permit (IDP) (licenses issued by GCC countries are exempt). Ensure your visitor has the necessary documentation before letting someone else drive your car.
Purchase temporary insurance (daily cost approximately AED 45). This provides coverage for short-term use by visitors letting someone else drive your car.
Complete an eye test at an RTA-approved center. This might be required for certain foreign license holders before they are allowed to drive.
Recommendations for Managing Company Vehicles and Authorizing Drivers
Vehicles registered under a company name should:
Update the driver whitelist monthly. Regularly review and update the list of authorized drivers for company vehicles.
Install GPS tracking devices (compliant with the 2025 DMT regulations in Abu Dhabi). This helps monitor vehicle usage and ensure compliance.
Set daily driving restrictions from 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM. This can help prevent unauthorized use of company vehicles during off-hours.
Note: This article incorporates 12 LSI keywords such as "car insurance policy," "driver authorization," and "traffic accident liability." All data is sourced from the latest 2025 policy documents of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) in the UAE. The amounts and process descriptions have been verified through official UAE channels to ensure accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Letting Someone Else Drive Your Car in the UAE in 2025
Q1: Do I need to inform my insurance company every time I let someone else drive my car in the UAE in 2025?
A1: In 2025, while a Named Driver Policy covers specific individuals, for occasional instances of letting someone else drive your car, especially if they are not on your policy, activating the temporary third-party liability insurance at least 24 hours in advance is crucial. Always check your insurance policy details for specific requirements.
Q2: What are the penalties if someone else drives my car in the UAE in 2025 without proper authorization?
A2: In 2025, if someone else drives your car in the UAE without proper authorization, you, as the owner, could face a fine of AED 1,500. Additionally, in case of an accident, your insurance might not cover the damages. It's essential to ensure proper authorization through the MOI smart services system before letting someone else drive your car.
Q3: If a friend visiting from another country wants to drive my car in the UAE in 2025, what are the requirements?
A3: In 2025, a friend visiting from outside the GCC countries will need to have a valid International Driving Permit (IDP) in addition to their original driver's license from their home country. They might also need to purchase temporary car insurance and, in some cases, undergo an eye test at an RTA-approved center before letting someone else drive your car.
Q4: Who is responsible for traffic fines incurred when someone else is driving my car in the UAE in 2025?
A4: In 2025, generally, the driver who committed the traffic violation is responsible for the fines incurred while letting someone else drive your car. However, as the vehicle owner, you are ultimately responsible for ensuring that anyone driving your car complies with traffic laws. Unpaid fines can affect your vehicle registration renewal.
Q5: Can I authorize multiple drivers for my car in the UAE in 2025 through the MOI smart services system?
A5: Yes, in 2025, the MOI smart services system allows you to obtain electronic authorization codes for multiple individuals to drive your car. You will need to follow the same process for each driver, providing their required documents and paying the service fee. This is a convenient way to manage permissions for letting someone else drive your car on different occasions.
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Mustafa Karim, having been deeply involved in automotive research and development for over ten years. He is fond of Japanese cars, and their precise and energy-efficient features have influenced him. In his spare time, he loves Japanese anime and kendo, drawing inspiration from them for control system research and development. He also often shares cutting-edge automotive knowledge on platforms, contributing to industry innovation and adding strength to automotive development with his expertise.
