Yes — UAE law requires a proper child seat for children under 4 (AED 400 fine plus black points), and children under 10 may not sit in the front. Add a baby, child or booster seat as an extra when booking so the desk has it ready; day-of requests can't always be met.
The legal rules
- Under 4: a proper child seat is mandatory — driving without one risks an AED 400 fine plus black points on the driver's licence.
- Under 10: no riding in the front seat, whatever restraint is used.
Choosing the right seat
Seats follow age and weight, not preference: rear-facing infant seats for babies, forward-facing toddler seats for the next stage, and booster seats for older children who still need a lift to make the seatbelt sit correctly. If your child is between stages, size by weight rather than age.
Add it at booking, not at the desk
Request the seat as an extra while you book so the desk reserves one for your pickup — a small daily charge applies, shown with the extras before you confirm. Turning up and hoping rarely ends well: desks hold limited stock and a day-of request can't always be met.
Fitting is on you — or bring your own
The renter is responsible for fitting the seat and for compliance on the road, so take a minute to install it properly before setting off. Frequent travellers often bring their own seat instead — it fits the child perfectly and removes the rental fee entirely. Add the seat while you compare rental cars in Dubai, and see car rental help for the rest of the family checklist.