How to Start a Profitable ATV Rental Business in the UAE

In nearly every tourist attraction with natural landscapes, you will probably hear the familiar hum of quad bikes. The demand for this type of adventure remains steadily high which may serve as an encouraging sign for those who toy with the idea of starting an ATV rental business. Let’s explore together whether this venture is still profitable and what to expect on the way.

Why ATV Rentals Are a Profitable Business in the UAE

What prospects does this business idea have in the UAE and how profitable is the atv rental business? On the one hand, the competition is already high and the local market seems oversaturated with such offers. This is one of the main challenges a newcomer to the market will face. You will really have to stand out to carve yourself a niche. On the other hand, a number of appealing factors suggest that the United Arab Emirates is still one of the best places to launch this venture:

1. Extended peak season: Thanks to its desert climate, the period for quad bike use here is much longer than in regions with winters like in Europe or monsoons like in some Asian countries. The operation is running almost year-round, with the most comfortable weather from October to April.
2. Steady tourist flow: Even with a high competition, this means that everyone will get their share. Dubai remained one of the top global tourist destinations, ranking 7th worldwide in city arrivals in 2024 with 18.2 million visitors. And this number is only rising.
3. Favorable tax conditions: ATV rental business benefits from low-tax conditions, especially when starting small. You can remain corporate-tax-free below AED 375,000 profit, and enjoy no income tax. However, VAT applies once you meet the registration threshold.

Therefore, even in the crowded market, quad bike rentals can still be profitable if managed with the right approach.

Step-by-Step Business Plan for Launching Your ATV Rental

We have prepared a comprehensive guide for those who have never dealt with this industry before to make your journey a little bit less bumpy. Hopefully, you will find it useful.

Step 1: Define Your Business Model

In the beginning, you need to develop an atv rental business plan. Who is going to be your target audience? What is the cost-revenue balance? When is the first profit expected to come? All this will be the groundwork for the business model of your rental.

We suggest you consider the following ideas that seem to be most relevant in the UAE environment.

Guided adventure tours

A comprehensive approach to quad biking: not just renting them out but providing the full experience with guides and specially selected routes and services. This takes more effort and investment and requires more time to pay off. Also, you may want to partner with a touring agency instead and just be responsible for the ATV part.

B2B partnerships with resorts and hotels

Another option is to offer your atv rental service to big hotel networks and resorts that will offer ATV rides as part of their guest experience. This model, like any other, has its pros and cons. The hotel will provide you with a steady guest flow and will deal with most of the promotion and marketing, while you will receive your share. On the other hand, the hotel will take its commission and work on its own terms which means your per-unit profit will be lower than in direct rentals.

Direct on-spot rentals

This model implies that customers come to a particular tourist location where they can rent out your quad bikes on the spot. It could be a desert safari base or a popular off-road area. This setup can offer higher profit margins because you're dealing with customers directly and avoiding commission fees or partnership cuts. However, such prime spots are usually already taken by other companies and it can be very difficult to fit in. So, in Dubai, for example, the first two models present more accessible opportunities for new entrants.

Step 2: Market Research and Competitor Analysis

As we have briefly mentioned, the UAE atv business is strongly competitive. A thorough market research will help you identify how you can stand out in the myriad of offers. When you have chosen the area for your rentals, you need to check what your nearby competitors offer and make your offers more appealing or focused on a slightly different aspect.

For example, if a company near Al Badayer offers only basic ATVs for 30-minute rides, you may want to offer longer rides of 90 minutes. You may also want to introduce more advanced quad bikes with more power and speed as well as add value with services like GoPro footage, refreshments, or transportation from the hotel. To broaden your target audience, you may add some specific models to the fleet, for example, it can be youth models or racing buggies.

Step 3: How to Choose the Right Location

This part is easy and tricky at the same time. Obviously, scenic routes and exploration of natural landscapes is what quad biking is all about. Nearly 70% of the success of your atv rental business depends on its location. In the UAE, all those picturesque locations have already been discovered and developed for tourism.

However, the tricky part is this: competition is fierce in these popular zones. Many companies have already claimed the prime spots, often with permits and long-standing agreements. This makes it harder to simply “set up shop” there without a well-thought-out plan or partnership.

So how do you choose wisely?

1. Start with accessibility: Is the location within 1–2 hours of a major city (like Dubai or Abu Dhabi)? Can tourists get there easily, or will you need to offer pick-up services?
2. Consider the type of experience: Some areas are better for high-speed dune riding (like Al Faya), while others are suited for scenic, family-friendly tours (like Hatta or Al Ain’s outskirts). Match your offering to the location’s vibe.
3. Check permits and land-use restrictions: Some desert areas require special permissions from local authorities. Be sure to check what’s legal and what’s restricted, especially near conservation areas.
4. Don’t overlook partnerships: Many successful operators place their ATVs near hotels, glamping resorts, or tourist camps where land access and traffic are guaranteed. A good location doesn’t always mean the wildest dunes, sometimes it just means being where the customers already are.

Step 4: Choosing and Purchasing the Right ATVs

The main question that arises here is whether to buy new or used vehicles, and, of course, it all boils down to the starting capital you have. The initial savings when buying pre-owned vehicles might look attractive but here’s the catch. Quad biking is an intense activity with a high degree of wear and tear. This means that even lightly used quad bikes will likely have reduced longevity and service time. They will be more prone to unexpected breakdowns and will need more maintenance. So, if you plan to deliver high-end atv rental service for the long term, you’d better choose new equipment.

For a fleet of 10 vehicles, it would be ideal to have several mid-range models like the Sharmax Activator 280 RX or the Hammer 320 RX that will suit riders with limited to no experience. More powerful options like the Sharmax 650 Force can be good for more professional riders but they shouldn't make up the core of your fleet. Also, beginner models like the Sharmax 180 Cross will be a good addition for teenage riders.

Note that dealers like Sharmax Motors offer great options for B2B sales and provide substantial discounts for wholesale purchases.

Step 5: Budgeting and Initial Investments

The sum of initial investment will largely depend on the business model you choose. The largest part of it will understandably go to purchasing quad bikes. Other expenses include the costs of business registration and licensing, insurance coverage for vehicles, and other associated costs.

Here are the estimates of what your upfront investment may look like:

The Fleet

Let’s say you decide to buy 10 new quad bikes. Mid-range ATVs of 400-600cc in the UAE will cost you around $5,000 each. For 10 pieces, this will make $50,000. Plus, you will need the safety gear (helmet, gloves) of ten sets that would cost around $2,000. All in all, this forms into $52,000 of initial investment.

Legal Registration and Licensing

Tourism or commercial trade license ranges from AED 7,500 to AED 15,000 (USD 2,040–USD 4,080) per year. Choose a mainland license if you're operating directly or a free zone license for 100% ownership (still requires trade/license fees).
Legal registration costs, trade name, office deposit, visas (if applicable) may reach approximately $10,000.

Insurance Coverage

You will definitely need an insurance package as quad biking comes with high risks of damage. Depending on the insurance policy, the estimated cost can be around $800 per ATV per year. For 10 units this will stand at $8,000 annually.

Additional costs

This category covers all other operational costs you may need to consider when setting up your atv rental business. We are talking about the storage area and the rental office itself. Your quad bikes will at least need a garage or an outdoor covered area. Also, you need to factor in the cost of renting space which may reach $20,000 per year or more depending on location and size. So, in this part, the budget estimate would be $25,000 in the initial deposit.

In total: be prepared to spend around $100,000 to open an atv rental business.

Step 6: Estimating Profit and Payback Period

And here comes the most important question for entrepreneurs: How profitable is an atv rental business? Is it worth all the trouble? While we can’t give you any promises or financial advice, it's safe to say that this is a business with strong margins in the UAE. When setting your rental prices, take into account what the competitors offer.

Local companies in Dubai and Ajman charge roughly $50–$70 per hour for in-circle or standard quad rides and $100–$200 per hour for open desert tours. Let’s assume a mid‑range average of $100 an hour per ATV with a guided desert tour.

If you operate a fleet of 10 quad bikes and manage to rent each out for an average of 5 hours per day over 20 days in a month, the numbers can be quite promising. At an average rate of $100 per hour, each bike would bring in $500 daily. That amounts to $10,000 in revenue per bike per month.

For 10 bikes, your total monthly revenue could reach approximately $100,000 assuming you have consistent demand and tourist traffic.

Don’t forget about operating costs (fuel, maintenance, staff, insurance, permits, etc.) that may take up to 70% of the revenue, which is typical for ATV rental businesses. In this scenario, your net atv rental business profit will be $30,000. If so, the estimated payback period should be around 3 to 5 months in most favorable conditions and from 8 to 12 months in a conservative scenario.

Step 7: Implementing Marketing Strategies to Attract More Customers

In the first year after opening your atv rental business, you will need to be really aggressive when promoting it. Depending on the business model you choose, the marketing expenses can be really high, especially if you choose independent rentals.

Digital Marketing

This is your number one channel in attracting customers. Your ads on social media (Instagram, TikTok, Facebook) should target tourists and expats interested in desert adventures. Google Ads with keywords like “quad bike rental Dubai” or “ATV desert tour UAE” should attract more organic traffic to your website. Also, think about influencer collaborations: invite local travel bloggers or YouTubers to test your bikes and post about their experience.

Strategic Partnerships with Local Touring Agencies

Such agencies already have access to a steady stream of tourists. This can be a one-time collaboration for a special event or high-season tour package or a long-term agreement where your ATV rental is featured as a standard part of the agency’s offerings. The latter is the most favorable option for you as touring agencies often handle logistics, marketing, and bookings, which reduces your workload and operational costs.

Targeting VIP and Corporate Clients

Starting an atv rental business in the UAE means you have access to the luxury segment. Local businesses and affluent residents represent a promising customer base. You can offer private luxury experiences with tailored routes, VIP pickup and drop-off services, and exclusive guide attention. Another opportunity lies in corporate partnerships. Reach out to HR departments of major companies to organize unique employee experiences. Team-building quad biking sessions are not only memorable but also in high demand among forward-thinking employers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need special licenses to start an ATV rental business in the UAE?

Yes, you’ll need to register your company, obtain commercial activity permits, and secure insurance. Some emirates may require specific approvals for vehicle use in desert or public areas.

How much does it cost to start an ATV rental business?

Startup costs can range from $80,000 to $120,000 depending on fleet size, insurance, and setup. This includes vehicles, safety gear, marketing, and licensing.

What are the risks and liabilities in ATV rentals?

ATV rentals involve physical risk, so liability insurance is crucial. Make sure all customers sign waivers, and offer proper safety instructions and gear.

How many ATVs should I buy to start?

A solid starting point is 5–10 ATVs, depending on your location and business model. This provides flexibility and allows you to handle group bookings.

Is an ATV Rental Business Right for You?

It all depends on the starting capital and the dedication to this industry. In this guide, we have shed some light on how to start an atv rental business and, hopefully, this information will give you an understanding of the startup process. The UAE offers excellent potential thanks to its year-round tourism and high-profit margins. Yet, high upfront costs and competition are often seen as obstacles for newcomers.