Warning - Budget Car rental Dubai airport.

stevie11

Heads up following an experience with Budget at Dubai airport last week. This was my first visit to Dubai and had pre-booked car rental with Auto Europe. On arrival at the car hire desk I handed over the voucher and driving licence only to be told they would not be able to give me a car due to the fact I had a paper driving licence. I have rented from Auto Europe and Budget a number of times in the past year or so and never experienced this problem. The sales assistant was adamant that I had to have an id card driving licence and they could not accept what they classify as the 'Counterpart' driving licence. My licence is actually the old style paper version not a 'counterpart'

Therefore due to the timing that the Auto Europe office in the UK was not open for another two hours I either had to wait or try another rental agent. Out of seven agents in the terminal three would accept my licence. I subsequently rented a vehicle from Hertz albeit at an increased price.

I was aware a couple of years ago there was some legislation that 'counterpart' driving licences were no longer being accepted but in my case I believe they should have accepted my driving licence.

I have since logged a complaint to Auto Europe and claim for a full refund plus additional costs but fear that the same problem could happen to others with the old style licence. I do not recall anywhere Auto Europe stating that old style licences would not be accepted.

I will definitely have to check in future as I do not want to experience the same problems especially after a tiring flight and long journey ahead.