united-arab-emirates-toll
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United Arab Emirates Toll Roads 2025: Complete Guide
System: Salik (Dubai) + Darb (Abu Dhabi)
Operator: RTA Dubai + Department of Transport Abu Dhabi
Currency: UAE Dirham (AED)
Coverage: 10 toll gates in Dubai, 4 bridges in Abu Dhabi
Technology: RFID tags (Dubai) + ANPR (Abu Dhabi)
Do I Need Toll Tags in UAE? 2025 Update
The UAE operates two separate toll systems in different emirates:
Dubai - Salik System:
- Required: Physical Salik tag on windscreen for all vehicles
- Coverage: 10 toll gates across Dubai's major highways
- Technology: RFID-based electronic toll collection
Abu Dhabi - Darb System:
- Required: Account registration (no physical tag needed)
- Coverage: 4 bridge toll gates leading to Abu Dhabi island
- Technology: Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR)
Other Emirates:
- Sharjah, Ajman, RAK, UAQ, Fujairah: Currently toll-free
UAE Toll Costs: Current Rates
Dubai Salik Variable Pricing (Effective January 31, 2025)
| Time Period | Days | Rate per Gate | Special Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peak Hours | Mon-Sat: 6:00-10:00 AM & 4:00-8:00 PM | AED 6 | Higher rate for congestion management |
| Off-Peak Hours | Mon-Sat: 10:00 AM-4:00 PM & 8:00 PM-1:00 AM | AED 4 | Standard rate |
| Late Night | Daily: 1:00 AM-6:00 AM | Free | No charges applied |
| Sundays | All day (excluding public holidays) | AED 4 | Flat rate except late night |
Ramadan Special Timings
| Time Period | Ramadan Hours | Rate per Gate |
|---|---|---|
| Peak Hours | 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM | AED 6 |
| Off-Peak Hours | 7:00 AM - 9:00 AM & 5:00 PM - 2:00 AM | AED 4 |
| Late Night | 2:00 AM - 7:00 AM | Free |
Abu Dhabi Darb Pricing
| Time Period | Days | Rate per Gate |
|---|---|---|
| Peak Hours | Sat-Thu: 7:00 AM-9:00 AM & 5:00 PM-7:00 PM | AED 4 |
| Off-Peak Hours | All other times | Free |
| Fridays | All day | Free |
Setup and Account Costs
| System | Registration Fee | Initial Credit | Total Initial Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dubai Salik Tag | AED 50 | AED 50 | AED 100 |
| Abu Dhabi Darb (Non-Abu Dhabi vehicles) | AED 50 | AED 50 | AED 100 |
| Abu Dhabi Darb (Abu Dhabi vehicles) | Free | Manual top-up | AED 0 |
Dubai Salik Gate Locations
Current 10 Salik Gates (2025)
- Al Garhoud: Near Al Garhoud Bridge on Sheikh Rashid Road
- Al Barsha: On Sheikh Zayed Road near Mall of the Emirates
- Al Safa North & South: On Sheikh Zayed Road (charged once per hour if passing both)
- Al Maktoum Bridge: Connecting Deira and Bur Dubai
- Al Mamzar North & South: On Al Ittihad Road (charged once per hour if passing both)
- Airport Tunnel: Dubai Airport approach tunnel
- Jebel Ali: On Sheikh Zayed Road near Jebel Ali area
- Business Bay Crossing: Connecting Business Bay and Downtown Dubai
Abu Dhabi Darb Gate Locations
4 Bridge Toll Gates
- Sheikh Zayed Bridge: Main connection to Abu Dhabi island
- Sheikh Khalifa Bridge: Alternative Abu Dhabi access route
- Maqta Bridge: Traditional route to Abu Dhabi
- Mussafah Bridge: Industrial area connection
How to Set Up Toll Accounts
Dubai Salik Setup
Purchase Options:
- Petrol stations: ADNOC, ENOC, EPPCO, Emarat (AED 100 total)
- Online: salik.ae website (AED 120 including delivery)
- Salik app: Smart Salik mobile application
Installation Requirements:
- Affix tag to vehicle windscreen interior
- Position away from tinted areas and metal strips
- Ensure clear visibility for RFID readers
- Register tag with vehicle license plate number
Abu Dhabi Darb Setup
Abu Dhabi Registered Vehicles:
- Automatic account creation
- SMS notification with login details
- No physical tag required
Other UAE Vehicles:
- Register online at darb.ae or through Darb mobile app
- Submit vehicle registration documents
- Pay AED 100 setup fee (AED 50 registration + AED 50 credit)
Account Management & Top-Up
Recharge Methods
Dubai Salik:
- Salik website and mobile app
- Petrol stations nationwide
- Cash deposit machines (Emirates NBD, DIB)
- Auto top-up service available
Abu Dhabi Darb:
- Darb website and mobile app
- Bank transfer and online payment
- Authorized payment centers
Balance Monitoring
- Low balance alerts: SMS notifications when credit runs low
- Insufficient funds grace period: 5 days to recharge after crossing
- Violation fines: AED 50 if not recharged within grace period
Recent Changes (2025)
- January 31, 2025: Dubai implemented variable toll pricing system
- Peak hour adjustments: Extended peak hours for better traffic management
- Sunday pricing: Flat AED 4 rate introduced for Sundays
- Ramadan considerations: Special timing adjustments during holy month
- Enhanced mobile apps: Improved user experience for account management
Penalties & Violations
Dubai Salik Violations
| Violation Type | Fine Amount | Grace Period |
|---|---|---|
| No Salik tag | AED 50 per day (max AED 400) | 10 days to register |
| Insufficient balance | AED 50 | 5 days to recharge |
| Unregistered tag | AED 50 per day | 10 days to register |
Abu Dhabi Darb Violations
| Violation Type | Fine Amount | Maximum Fine |
|---|---|---|
| Unregistered vehicle | AED 50 per day | AED 10,000 per vehicle |
| Annual cumulative violations | Various amounts | AED 25,000 per vehicle per year |
Planning Your UAE Journey
Cost Considerations
Daily Commuters:
- Dubai: Peak hours: 2 gates × AED 6 = AED 12 per day
- Dubai: Off-peak hours: 2 gates × AED 4 = AED 8 per day
- Abu Dhabi: Peak hours: 1 gate × AED 4 = AED 4 per day
Tourists and Visitors:
- Short trips: Buy minimum credit and top-up as needed
- Extended stays: Consider auto top-up services
- Rental cars: Check if toll costs are included in rental agreement
Alternative Routes
Dubai Toll-Free Alternatives:
- Al Khail Road: Bypasses Sheikh Zayed Road Salik gates
- Floating Bridge: Alternative to Al Maktoum Bridge
- Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road (E311): Avoids multiple Salik gates
- Business Bay Bridge: Free alternative to some crossings
Abu Dhabi Alternatives:
- Limited alternatives as bridges are main access points to Abu Dhabi island
- Public transport: Bus services available during peak hours
UAE vs. Neighboring GCC Countries
| Country | Toll System | Coverage | Peak Rate | Technology |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UAE | City-based tolls | Dubai (10 gates) + Abu Dhabi (4 gates) | AED 4-6 | RFID + ANPR |
| Saudi Arabia | King Fahd Causeway only | Bridge to Bahrain | SAR 25 | Manual collection |
| Qatar | None currently | No toll roads | N/A | N/A |
| Oman | None currently | No toll roads | N/A | N/A |
| Kuwait | None currently | No toll roads | N/A | N/A |
| Bahrain | King Fahd Causeway only | Bridge to Saudi Arabia | BHD 2.5 | Manual collection |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need separate tags for Dubai and Abu Dhabi?
Dubai requires a physical Salik tag, while Abu Dhabi uses license plate recognition. You need to register separately for each system if traveling between emirates.
Can tourists get Salik tags easily?
Yes, Salik tags are available at all petrol stations and can be purchased with any valid ID and vehicle registration documents.
What happens if I drive through without sufficient balance?
You have 5 days to recharge your account. After this period, a AED 50 fine is applied for each violation.
Are there any vehicle exemptions?
Emergency vehicles, diplomatic cars, and certain government vehicles are exempt. Private vehicles require toll payment regardless of type.
Can I use the same account for multiple vehicles?
Yes, you can link multiple vehicles to one account, but each vehicle needs its own Salik tag in Dubai.
Do electric vehicles get toll discounts?
Currently, there are no toll discounts for electric vehicles in the UAE.
What if I'm only transiting through Dubai to Abu Dhabi?
You'll need both Salik and Darb accounts if your route passes through toll gates in both emirates.
Special Considerations
Cross-Emirate Travel
- Different systems: Dubai and Abu Dhabi operate independent toll systems
- Separate registrations: Must register for each system individually
- Cost planning: Consider both toll systems when budgeting for cross-emirate travel
Business Considerations
- Fleet management: Bulk registration options available for multiple vehicles
- Corporate accounts: Monthly billing options for business users
- Tax implications: Toll expenses may be tax-deductible for business use
Visitor Guidelines
- Rental vehicles: Confirm toll arrangements with rental company
- Hotel transport: Many hotels provide vehicles with pre-configured toll accounts
- Taxi services: All taxis automatically charge toll fees to passengers
Useful Links & Resources
- Dubai Salik Official Website
- Abu Dhabi Darb Official Portal
- Dubai Support: 800-SALIK (800-72545)
- Abu Dhabi Support: Available through Darb mobile app
Links for Future Updates
- High Priority: Monitor variable pricing adjustments and new gate installations
- Medium Priority: Track Abu Dhabi system expansions to other emirates
- Low Priority: Follow GCC regional toll integration developments
- External links: Watch for mobile app updates and payment method expansions
