How Tourists Can Avoid Fines: A Guide to UAE Car Rentals
Dubai’s allure for tourists often includes the thrill of driving a luxury car along its expansive highways. However, this dream can quickly turn into a financial nightmare due to the UAE’s strict and often unfamiliar traffic regulations. Speeding, in particular, is a major pitfall, leading to substantial fines that can catch visitors off guard.
One rental company, 7Cars Rent a Car LLC, recounted a shocking incident where a tourist racked up a staggering Dh43,000 in traffic fines, which eventually ballooned to Dh86,000.
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The company ended up footing the bill when the tourist left the country before the case could be processed.
This isn’t an isolated incident. Soham Shah, CEO of SelfDrive Mobility, noted that many tourists are unaware of speed limits, grace thresholds, and the widespread use of radar enforcement.
He cited an example of a customer receiving six speeding fines within five minutes, totaling over Dh1,000.
Rental Companies Respond with New Strategies
To address this growing problem, car rental companies in the UAE are proactively implementing new policies and educational initiatives:
- Stricter Financial Measures: Companies like 7Cars Rent a Car now primarily accept credit cards and pre-authorize transactions to mitigate the risk of unpaid fines.
- Comprehensive Education: Rental firms are providing customers with detailed information on UAE traffic laws, speed limits, and other crucial regulations before they even get behind the wheel.
- Real-Time Updates: SelfDrive Mobility has implemented a policy of regularly updating customers during their rental period if any fines are issued, preventing unpleasant surprises.
- Deposit Alternatives: Udrive has taken a different approach by eliminating deposits altogether, charging customers only for fines that appear in their system.
Understanding the Fines and Your Rights
Traffic fines in the UAE are linked to a vehicle’s number plate and managed by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).
Rental companies must manually retrieve these fines and match them to the responsible customer. While companies typically deduct the fine from the deposit, disputes can arise.
Soham Shah emphasizes that customers have the right to challenge a fine with the RTA. If a waiver is granted, the rental company will refund 100% of the amount.
Legal Recourse for Unpaid Fines
Sunil Ambalavelil, a lawyer at NYK Lawyers and Legal Consultants, explains that rental companies can pursue legal action to recover unpaid traffic fines. This can include filing a civil claim, which may result in a travel ban for the offending customer. In more serious cases involving fraud or bounced checks, criminal complaints can be filed.
A Collaborative Effort for Safer Roads
Benny Thomas, CFO of Thrifty and Dollar Car Rental, highlights the importance of collaboration. His company is exploring partnerships with tourism boards to promote better awareness among visitors.
The ultimate goal is to support safe driving through education, ensuring that tourists can enjoy their UAE experience without the burden of unexpected and costly traffic fines.
By implementing these measures, UAE car rental companies are striving to create a safer and more enjoyable experience for tourists, ensuring that their memories of the UAE are filled with stunning skylines and smooth drives, rather than hefty fines and legal troubles.
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