By Mohammed Rashad Hussain, Managing PartnerPublished 3 min read
What is standard in every car?
Less than the brochures suggest. What every Assure car has is a licensed, uniformed chauffeur, a clean cabin and a vehicle matched to your passenger and bag count. Water, chargers and the rest depend on the car you get, so we confirm them on WhatsApp before the pickup rather than promise a list here.
What can you request?
Tell the dispatcher at booking if you want any of these:
- chilled water or a soft drink
- a phone charger or cable
- Wi-Fi, or a note that you will use your own hotspot
- a set cabin temperature
- a quiet ride with no conversation
- a stop for prayer, or a stop at a pharmacy or cash machine
- a child seat, with the child’s age (see chauffeur etiquette)
A request at booking is a plan. A request mid-journey is a favour.
Rear-seat features by class
The class decides the rear features more than the badge does.
| Class | Example car | What the makers list for the rear |
|---|---|---|
| Business | Lexus ES 300h | Rear window sunshade, tilt-and-slide sunroof |
| First class | Mercedes-Benz S-Class | Optional 4-zone climate, rear screens, folding tables, 10 L fridge, First-Class Rear Compartment |
| SUV | GMC Yukon | Dual 12.6-inch rear screens, heated second-row outer seats |
| VIP | Mercedes-Maybach S-Class | Executive rear seats that recline up to 43 degrees, power calf rest and footrest |
Most of the first class list is optional, so two S-Class cars can differ. Compare the saloons in S-Class vs 7 Series and the business class in ES 300h vs E-Class vs 5 Series. Our first class sedans page lists each car.
Window tint and privacy: what UAE rules allow
Tint limits come from the Ministry of Interior and apply in all seven emirates. The permitted percentage has changed over the years, and the sources we found disagree, so we do not print a number. If you need the exact limit for a car you own or import, ask the RTA or the traffic police. For a chauffeur trip, what matters is that the car is legal and the rear glass gives you privacy. See what an RTA licensed limousine means.
Can you eat, drink or smoke in a chauffeur car?
- Food and drink: Ask first. Water is easy. A hot meal on leather is not.
- Smoking: UAE law bars smoking in a private car with a child present. Tell the dispatcher if you smoke, so the chauffeur can plan a stop.
- Alcohol: Not something to plan on in the car. Ask a hotel or venue about its rules instead.
Chauffeur dress, languages and etiquette
Your chauffeur arrives in smart clothes, opens the rear door and handles the bags. Which languages the chauffeur speaks depends on the booking, so ask for the one you need. Assure confirms what is available per job. Tipping and greetings are covered in chauffeur etiquette in Dubai.
Where to go next
See the types of car in types of limousine cars in Dubai, the fleet, our chauffeur service and limousine service. Return to the chauffeur car guide.
Photos in this guide
The rear seats of a Mercedes-Benz S 500 (W222) with headrest cushions, centre armrest, rear air vents and seat-back screensБорис Ульзибат / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0
A long-wheelbase Mercedes-Benz S-Class shown on a plain white backgroundMercedes-Benz, Manufacturer press image, editorial use
A Lexus ES 300h hybrid sedan shown on a plain white backgroundLexus, Manufacturer press image, editorial use
