School Season Spurs Car Rental Surge

School Season in UAE Sparks Rental Car Demand Spike

In the United Arab Emirates, the back-to-school season affects not only students and teachers but also significantly influences transportation habits. Around the end of August, demand for rental cars increases by 30-40 percent, as many families find renting a more practical and cost-effective solution than using school buses or daily taxis.

Reasons Behind the Rising Demand

Several factors contribute to the sudden surge in rental demand. Firstly, many new foreign families arrive in the country right before the school year begins. While settling in and waiting for their own vehicle to arrive or be purchased, they often rent cars temporarily.

Furthermore, changes in school schedules, new timetables, and extracurricular activities present new transportation challenges, especially for families with multiple children. The flexibility of having their own car is attractive to parents, allowing easier management of morning and afternoon school runs, training sessions, or weekend programs. Additionally, teachers often rent cars for short periods, particularly when seeking new employment or moving to the country with fresh contracts.

The Cost of School Buses Also Plays a Role

School transportation services—such as buses or private shuttles—often represent significant costs, especially for families with children in different schools. Renting can be not only more convenient but also cheaper, especially considering parents can handle the transportation with a single vehicle. This solution is particularly popular with those seeking a temporary fix, such as before purchasing a vehicle or if their current car is under repair.

What Vehicles Are in High Demand?

During this period, renters significantly prefer larger vehicles. Demand for SUVs and minivans increases, as they are suitable for transporting multiple children, occasionally even other families' children. Carpooling is not only more economical but also time-saving—which is why car rental companies expand their fleets by as much as 20-30 percent to meet demand.

According to service providers, customers seek practical solutions: large cargo space, reliable air conditioning, and safety features are among the most important considerations.

Technological Innovations and Flexible Offers

Adapting to market demands, car rental companies are increasingly implementing modern technology. Smart kiosks, centralized reservation systems, and digital customer service platforms are available, speeding up processes. Additionally, many providers offer customized packages, such as discounted monthly rates or long-term rental options.

There is also growing interest in long-term rentals. More families and teachers are opting for 6–12 month rental agreements, which often include insurance, maintenance, and roadside assistance. This is not only convenient but can also result in significant cost savings compared to daily or weekly rental rates—monthly costs can be 10–30 percent lower.

Taxi Services Under High Pressure Too

Along with car rentals, taxi services are also busier at the start of the school year. For example, one of the largest providers, Careem, completed over 300,000 school trips during the first weeks of the previous school year. Shared ride arrangements—such as three students from the same address sharing a ride—are available from 260 dirhams for 20 trips, making them an attractive alternative for many parents.

Flexibility Above All

The start of the school year in the UAE doesn’t only present new challenges for students and teachers but the daily logistics for entire families as well. Changing schedules, early departures, and afternoon activities require families to respond quickly and flexibly to situations. Car rentals in such cases offer security, predictable costs, and comfort—which is why increasing numbers of people choose this option, at least for the first weeks or months.

Thus, the school season is not only an intense period for schools but also for car rental service providers. The increase in demand, fleet expansions, technological innovations, and tailored offers all indicate that transportation flexibility is now a fundamental expectation in the UAE, especially when a new school year begins.

(Source of the article based on car rental companies' reports.)