UAE Toll Roads Complete Guide: Salik, Darb and Payment 2026
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UAE Toll Roads Complete Guide
System: Electronic toll collection only — Salik (Dubai) and Darb (Abu Dhabi)
Coverage: Dubai (10 Salik gates), Abu Dhabi (6 Darb gates); Ajman, Sharjah, RAK, Fujairah, UAQ remain toll-free
Currency: UAE Dirham (AED)
Technology: Salik RFID tag/tag-free camera detection; Darb automatic license plate recognition (no tag required)
Operators: Salik Company PJSC (Dubai RTA); Integrated Transport Centre / Q-Mobility (Abu Dhabi)
Do I Need a Toll Tag for the UAE? 2026 Update
It depends where you drive. Dubai's Salik system charges every vehicle automatically via camera or tag at 10 gates — there is no way to avoid billing if you cross one. Abu Dhabi's Darb system uses license plate recognition only, so no physical tag is needed there at all. Ajman, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, and Umm Al Quwain remain completely toll-free.
Key Reality: Since January 31, 2025, Salik charges different rates depending on when you cross, not a flat AED 4 anymore. Since June 1, 2026, a 5% VAT applies on top of every Salik charge.
2026 Update: Two new 24/7 Darb gates (Ghantoot and Al Qurm) went live May 4, 2026, expanding Abu Dhabi's network from 4 to 6 gates. Salik VAT took effect June 1, 2026, raising peak crossings to AED 6.30 and off-peak to AED 4.20.
UAE Toll Costs: Current Rates
Salik Rates - Dubai (2026, VAT-inclusive since June 1)
| Time Window | Hours | Rate (AED, VAT incl.) |
|---|---|---|
| Peak (weekdays) | 6:00-10:00 AM and 4:00-8:00 PM, Mon-Sat | AED 6.30 |
| Off-peak (weekdays) | 10:00 AM-4:00 PM and 8:00 PM-1:00 AM | AED 4.20 |
| Sunday (flat rate) | All day except 1:00-6:00 AM | AED 4.20 |
| Late night (all days) | 1:00 AM-6:00 AM | Free |
Rate applies at the moment you cross the beam, not when you enter the road. During Ramadan, the free window shifts to 2:00-7:00 AM. At Al Safa North/South and Al Mamzar North/South, a second same-direction crossing within one hour of the first is not charged again.
Salik Gate Locations (10 gates, 2026)
- Al Mamzar North and Al Mamzar South (linked pair)
- Al Safa North and Al Safa South (linked pair)
- Al Garhoud Bridge
- Al Maktoum Bridge
- Airport Tunnel
- Al Barsha
- Business Bay Crossing (added November 2024)
- Al Shindagha, Sheikh Zayed Road (added 2024)
Darb Rates - Abu Dhabi (2026)
| Gate Type | Locations | Charging Hours | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 legacy island bridges | Sheikh Zayed Bridge, Sheikh Khalifa Bridge, Al Maqtaa Bridge, Mussafah Bridge | 7-9 AM and 3-7 PM, Mon-Sat; free Sundays/holidays | AED 4 per crossing, AED 16 daily cap |
| 2 new highway gates (from May 4, 2026) | Ghantoot Gate (E11, Dubai border), Al Qurm Gate (Sheikh Zayed Street) | 24 hours, 7 days a week | AED 4 per crossing, no daily cap |
Exempt from Darb: motorcycles, taxis, school buses, public transport buses, emergency vehicles, and passenger buses carrying more than 26 passengers. One vehicle per person is exempt for senior citizens, People of Determination, low-income citizens, and retirees.
How to Pay UAE Tolls
1. Salik (Dubai):
- Windshield RFID tag linked to a prepaid or auto-recharge account
- Top up via Salik app, website, or retail locations
- Rental vehicles: charges billed by the rental company, usually with an admin fee
2. Darb (Abu Dhabi):
- No physical tag needed — automatic license plate recognition
- Register vehicle and maintain balance on the Darb platform
- Unregistered accounts with insufficient balance face fines of AED 50/day after 5 working days
- Rental cars: company registers the vehicle; charges billed after rental plus admin fee
To calculate toll costs for cars, trucks, and all vehicle types across UAE toll roads, use the TollGuru UAE toll calculator.
Recent Changes (2026)
Salik (Dubai):
- 5% VAT added to all toll charges from June 1, 2026, raising rates to AED 6.30 peak / AED 4.20 off-peak / AED 4.20 Sunday
- Dynamic peak/off-peak pricing (introduced January 31, 2025) continues, replacing the old flat AED 4 model
- Network expanded to 10 gates with Business Bay Crossing and Al Safa South additions
- Salik continues evaluating additional gate locations on Dubai-Al Ain Road and Emirates Road (E611)
Darb (Abu Dhabi):
- Two new 24/7 gates (Ghantoot, Al Qurm) activated May 4, 2026, run in partnership with Q-Mobility
- Evening peak hours extended to 3:00-7:00 PM (from 5:00-7:00 PM) effective September 1, 2025
- New gates carry no daily cap, unlike the original four bridge gates (AED 16 cap)
Planning Your Journey
Cost Considerations:
- Dubai-to-Abu Dhabi commute passing 1-2 Salik gates plus 1-2 Darb gates: AED 8-20+ round trip
- Daily Salik cost for a Dubai commuter crossing peak hours twice: up to AED 12.60
- Daily Darb cost capped at AED 16 for the original four bridge gates; new gates add on top uncapped
Toll-Free Alternatives:
- Ajman, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, and Umm Al Quwain: no toll infrastructure at all
- Abu Dhabi to Al Ain via E22: toll-free intercity route with no Darb gates
- Traveling 1-6 AM avoids Salik charges entirely; Sundays and holidays avoid most Darb charges
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I avoid UAE tolls completely?
Yes, if you stay in Ajman, Sharjah, RAK, Fujairah, or Umm Al Quwain, none of which have toll infrastructure. Within Dubai or Abu Dhabi, avoiding tolls entirely is difficult given how gates are positioned on major arterials.
What happens if I don't pay Darb or Salik?
Insufficient balance on Darb triggers fines of AED 50 per day after 5 working days for accounts without Abu Dhabi plates. Salik similarly accrues fines for unpaid balances, enforced through vehicle registration renewal.
Do rental cars need a Salik tag or Darb registration?
No action needed from the renter. Rental companies register vehicles for both systems and bill toll charges plus an admin fee after the rental period.
Is Darb the same as Salik?
No, they are separate systems for separate emirates. Salik operates in Dubai using tags and cameras with dynamic pricing; Darb operates in Abu Dhabi using license plate recognition only, with a flat AED 4 rate.
UAE vs. Neighboring Countries
| Country | System Type | Typical Cost | Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Arab Emirates | Salik (Dubai) + Darb (Abu Dhabi) | AED 4.20-6.30 per gate | Dubai and Abu Dhabi only |
| Saudi Arabia | Causeway only | SAR 35 (cars, King Fahd Causeway) | Domestic roads free |
| Qatar | Q-Gates built but inactive | QAR 0 (no charge) | All roads free |
| Bahrain | Causeway only | Shared King Fahd Causeway toll | Domestic roads free |
Useful Links & Resources
Gulf Region Toll Guides:
- Saudi Arabia Toll Guide - King Fahd Causeway rates, free domestic network
- Qatar Toll Guide - Q-Gates status and free highway network
- Bahrain Toll Guide - King Fahd Causeway toll information
Official Resources:
- Roads and Transport Authority (Dubai) — Salik account setup and top-up
- Integrated Transport Centre (Abu Dhabi) — Darb registration and account management
- Salik Company PJSC — official rates, gate map, VAT details
