Roadside assistance

Roadside assistance in the UAE: what it costs and what to check

Updated 4 November 2026

Roadside assistance in the UAE covers things like towing, battery boost, flat tyre replacement, fuel delivery and lockouts, and the price depends on where the car is and what it needs. Before you pay for a tow, check whether your car insurance or bank card already includes it. For a current price for your area, send a request on BlaBlaPrice.

Check your cover first

In the UAE, roadside help is often part of a car insurance policy or a credit card. One bank states that its cards give free roadside assistance across the UAE, including recovery, towing, fuel delivery and battery boost. Read the terms before you call, because the cover and any limits are written there.

Rules for tow and recovery operators

A vehicle recovery business in Dubai needs a Vehicles Recovery Business licence under activity code 5222.99, which typically costs between AED 15,000 and AED 30,000 for the business. When the truck arrives, ask the driver for the company name and licence details, and check that the vehicle is a recovery truck.

Heat, desert roads and season

From May to September the summer heat is very high, and a battery that was weak in spring often fails on the first hot day. The desert climate also brings sand and dust onto roads and shoulders. The mild months from November to March are calmer for a car waiting at the roadside, but night calls still need a clear location.

What the price depends on

• The distance from the car to the workshop or tow point, in kilometres.
• The service needed: battery boost, flat tyre, fuel delivery, lockout or towing.
• The time of day, so ask whether night calls are priced differently.
• The car make, model and size, and whether it is a low or high vehicle.
• Whether insurance or a card pays part or all of the bill.

Prices are quoted per job, so ask for the total in AED before the tow starts.

What to write in the request

Write what happened and where the car is, in a few words: for example, "flat tyre on a highway shoulder near Al Ain, 2019 sedan, need a tow to a Dubai workshop tonight, budget up to AED 400." Add your contact preference and the time you need help.

Get offers through BlaBlaPrice: write the request in your own words in the chat, and the BlaBlaPrice AI asks about anything missing, looks through roadside providers' websites and price lists in the UAE, and shows the prices and businesses it found. Sellers registered on BlaBlaPrice reply in the chat with their price and terms. The service is free for buyers, and your contacts stay hidden until you choose who to contact. See also Car & motorcycle servicing and Auto electrical repair.