Being able to easily drive from the Dubai architectural wonders to the culturally rich city of Sharjah to the stately grandeur of Abu Dhabi is one of the top reasons so many travelers choose to go for car hire services.

However, the UAE operates under a strict, technology-driven legal framework. A minor oversight, a moment of distraction, or a misunderstanding of a simple procedure can disrupt your travel and impact your security deposit long after you've left.

1. Driving License Requirements: The Critical First Step:

In case of holding any license from GCC, most EU nations, the UK, the US, Canada, Australia, or Japan, you will generally be allowed to drive using your original national license during your short-term visit.  If your national license is not on the approved list, an International Driving Permit (IDP) is mandatory. It must be issued in your home country and presented alongside your physical national license. 

2. Required Documentation: What Must Be in the Car:

Police checkpoints or traffic stops require immediate production of physical documentation. Digital copies are not sufficient.

The Trinity of Documents: You are always obliged to carry with you:

- Your Physical Driving License and IDP if required.

- A copy of the Falcon Drive Rental Agreement.

- The Vehicle Registration Card (Mulkiya), provided by Falcon Drive.

Failure to provide these documents upon demand could lead to fines and the possible impounding of the vehicle until the ownership documents are checked.

3. Additional Driver Authorization: The Non-Negotiable Insurance Rule:

If an unregistered driver is on the wheel of the vehicle and is involved in an accident, the insurance provider will often void the claim. This puts you, as the main hirer, responsible for the complete cost of the vehicle's repair and any third-party damages.

4. Littering from Vehicles:

Throwing any type of garbage, including cigarette butts, tissues, or small wrappers, out of a vehicle's window is considered an offense punishable by a fine of AED 1,000 with 6 black points.

5. Traffic Fines and Black Points: The Back-End Billing:

Traffic fines are sometimes not instant. They are usually issued electronically by RTA and police, and they take some time to be transferred to the rental company. Some serious infringements incur black points on the history of the vehicle. 

6. Emergency Procedures: In Case of Accident:

If it is only a minor accident and safe to do so, immediately move the vehicle to the hard shoulder.  A police report is mandatory for any insurance claim, even for minor scratches, and even if it's the other party's fault. 

Conclusion: 

The UAE is a great place to drive; however, its strict rules and principal driving system should be respected. The rules are made to provide maximum safety, with efficiency in mind. Their compliance provides safe driving also saves the driver from penalties.