Transport
Transportation: should you rent or buy?
After the excitement of realising that you have just landed a teaching job in the United Arab Emirates, comes the reality of setting up life in a new country. The questions are many and they range from what is appropriate work wear to how to get to work. This article will help to answer your questions on renting or buying a car.
Renting
Renting a car in the UAE is relatively straightforward. There is a multiplicity of car rental agencies that carry wellknown, international brands and smaller locally based agencies. In order to rent a vehicle, the driver needs to be over the age of 21 and hold a valid driver licence from their home country. Some rental car companies may ask for an international driver licence. Most don’ t. You can drive on your foreign licence until you become a permanent resident, at which time you must convert your licence to a UAE licence. Licences from some selected countries can simply be exchanged, while others will require re-testing. Visit http:// www. abudhabi. ae for more information or call 800 5000.
Most teachers begin their motoring in the UAE by renting. Many car rental agencies offer special rates for teachers, especially if you take the vehicle on a one-year contract. Shop around.
When renting, ensure that you ask the right questions. Will the agency pick up the car for regular servicing and supply a replacement car? What happens if there is an accident? Does the insurance carry liability excess or are all eventualities 100 % covered? Will they take the car back during holiday periods if you travel and freeze the payments? How do they handle traffic fines, which you may incur?
The range of cars available for rental in the UAE is quite vast. A smaller car and engine will lower the cost for rental. Teachers prefer to rent for various reasons. The benefits of renting a vehicle includes convenience and peace of mind, ultimately the choice is yours.
Buying
Buying a car in the UAE can be summed up in two words, new or used. Buying a used car is fairly straightforward. You may be able to pick up a fairly well kept car at a bargain price. There are Facebook swap and shop pages, websites like www. dubizzle. ae, and people who have made a business out of finding reliable used cars. The trick to buying a reliable used car is making sure that you have a very efficient mechanic to give it a thorough check before you purchase. There are several insurance companies here. Ensure that you do your research.
If you prefer a new car, purchasing one at a repayment rate of around Dhs1800-2000 per month could be worth the investment. This is worthwhile because when you do decide to sell, you may be able to recover some money. There are deals to be had, especially during Ramadan. The banks normally require that you make a 20 % deposit on new vehicles. Speak with the dealer if you don’ t have that much. The bank will require proof of income and residence. Once all the required documents are submitted, the process is fairly smooth.
To rent or to buy while in the UAE, is a very personal decision. Whatever you decide to do, make sure you brush up on your defensive driving skills. The driving standards may vary greatly from your home country. Happy motoring.
12 | 2016- 2017 |