The Dubai Roads and Transport Authority has said that car rental companies in Dubai are prohibited from keeping passports or identification cards of their customers, according to a report by The National.

“No private documents relating to the renter shall be retained such as the passport or identity card,” Nasir Al Haj, director of commercial transport activities, told The National. “The new conditions aim to improve the business practices of this sector, cur offenses and risks, and define the role and responsibilities of parties associated with this sector.”

Dubai’s transport regulator also announced new regulations on issuing permits to car rental companies in the emirate, says the report. These include assigning designated car permits for rental cars without affecting public parking, complying with the regular service timing in the manuals, and defining the rights of the client and the rental company.

A rental company also needs to provide at least 10 vehicles during the first year at the head office and three vehicles at each branch, according to the report. If the company owns vehicles worth more than 600,000 Dirham, the head location needs at least five vehicles.

Click here for the full National report.