Complete guide to toll gates in Abu Dhabi

• About Abu Dhabi toll gates?
• Online Registration
• Locations
• Toll Gate Cost
• Salik Abu Dhabi Deductions
• Fines
• FAQs

Similar to the Salik system in Dubai, the Abu Dhabi Toll Gate system was announced in early February of 2018, by the UAE President H. H. Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Called DARB Toll Gate System, this is one of the initiatives by the Department of Transport to reduce the congestion of certain road networks and to maintain the quality of roads in the city. Here’s everything you need to know about it:

WHEN WILL BE THE ABU DHABI TOLL GATES ACTIVATED?

Initially activated in January 2020, the DARB toll system in Abu Dhabi was not charging toll fees from vehicles throughout the year. The decision to not charge road tolls in Abu Dhabi until the end of 2020 was part of the Ghadan 21 initiative launched by the Abu Dhabi Government to help preserve the capital’s economy following the coronavirus outbreak in the UAE.

From January 2, 2021 the Abu Dhabi toll gates will be properly activated. Motorists are advised to register their vehicles on the DARB toll system to avoid fines. No fines or charges will be incurred for vehicles passing through the toll gate until the end of 2020.

Let’s take a look at the charges for the Abu Dhabi toll gate registration, along with information on some of the bridges where these toll gates will be implemented. 

What is DARB Abu Dhabi Toll Gate System?

People usually ask “is there Salik in Abu Dhabi?”. The answer is yes. However, the Salik equivalent in Abu Dhabi is called DARB Toll. Quite similar to the Salik system in Dubai and part of the greater DARB Abu Dhabi initiative, the DARB system is an automated road toll system.

As mentioned earlier, the system aims to reduce road congestion and ensure smooth flow of traffic. With the DARB toll system in Abu Dhabi, you don’t need to stop and pay any of the road tolls.

DARB Abu Dhabi Toll Registration Online

Initially, all vehicles registered in Salik Abu Dhabi were automatically registered for the Abu Dhabi toll gates for free. Previously registered accounts can be activated again.

However, anyone who didn’t previously register their vehicle(s) on the DARB Toll Gate System in Abu Dhabi, must do so before 2 January 2021 to avoid penalties.

There are two ways to do that. Register your vehicle(s) via:

• The official DARB website
• The DARB Abu Dhabi toll gate app

Via the same registration process, which people also search for as “Abu Dhabi Salik registration”, you can also add additional vehicles to the same account as well. 

In case you’re wondering how to register for toll gates in Abu Dhabi with a Dubai number plate or one from another emirate, the process remains the same.

Simply follow the instructions in the video below to register for the DARB Abu Dhabi Toll Gate System.

Once you’ve created a DARB account, you can then go on and register your vehicle(s) on the system. For that you’ll be required to input the following information:

• Name
• Mobile number
• Emirates ID number
• Car details

Abu Dhabi Toll Gate Registration Fee

As per the Abu Dhabi toll registration website, the initial registration fee for Abu Dhabi toll gates will be AED 100. Of this, AED 50 will be added as credit to your account. You do not need to buy a DARB tag in Abu Dhabi, the fees will be deducted from your account based on your cars’ number plate.

Cost for passing through Abu Dhabi Toll Gate

Motorists need to be prepared to pay the DARB toll in Abu Dhabi starting January 2021. As per recent reports, these are the costs for the new tollgate system in Abu Dhabi:

• DARB Abu Dhabi costs AED 4.
• Motorists are only charged for the peak hours of Abu Dhabi toll gate timings – Saturday to Thursday (07:00 am to 09:00 am and 05:00 pm to 07:00 pm).
• No DARB charges apply during non-peak hours on weekdays.
• The DARB toll in Abu Dhabi is also free on Fridays and public holidays.
• The maximum charge per day will be AED 16.  
• Monthly caps for private vehicles: AED 200 for one vehicle, AED 150 for the second vehicle, AED 100 for each additional vehicle. 

The charges will officially come into effect from Thursday, January 2, 2021.

How will DARB toll be deducted in Abu Dhabi?

Salik Abu Dhabi or the DARB toll gates as they are actually known, do not have the same scanning technology that is used in Dubai Salik system. Salik in Dubai automatically scans the Salik tag installed on the windshield of the vehicle. In Abu Dhabi, toll charges will be deducted from the prepaid DARB account based on the vehicle’s number plate, using an Integrated Electronic Payment wallet.

ABU DHABI DARB FINES

Those attempting to cross the toll gates in Abu Dhabi without an activated DARB account can expect hefty fines. DARB registration is mandatory, even for exempted vehicles.

Any unregistered vehicle crossing the Abu Dhabi toll gate(s) will have a 10-day (working days) grace period to register their vehicle on the system. If the motorist still fails to do so, the fine shall apply and accumulate on a daily basis.

The Abu Dhabi toll gate fines will accumulate on a daily basis as per current reports:

• First Day: AED 100
• Day Two: AED 200 
• Day Three: AED 300 
• Day Four: AED 400 up to  a maximum of AED 10,000

Motorists must also ensure they have sufficient balance in their DARB accounts. Crossing a toll gate with insufficient balance can result in a fine of AED 50 per day. The grace period in this case is five working days.

Other fines include:

DARB Abu Dhabi toll gate locations in

According to the latest reports, these are the four routes where you can expect to pay toll charges in Abu Dhabi:

• Al Maqta Bridge
• Mussafah Bridge
• Sheikh Zayed Bridge 
• Sheikh Khalifa Bridge

Those living in Khalifa City A and other suburbs of Abu Dhabi will certainly feel the difference when commuting into the city using these bridges. Similarly, those working in the central areas of Abu Dhabi and living in the apartments for rent in Mussafah will also benefit from lesser congestion on the Mussafah bridge during peak hours. Besides the Mawaqif system, motorists in Abu Dhabi must also familiarise themselves with the new Abu Dhabi toll gate processes. 

FAQs About Toll Gate Abu Dhabi

What is the actual DARB Abu Dhabi start date?

As of 2 January 2021, the Abu Dhabi Toll system will be fully operational with fees being deducted for all registered vehicles. After this date motorists who haven’t registered will face fines. 

Will Dubai Salik tags work in Abu Dhabi?

The Dubai Salik tag will not work in Abu Dhabi. Dubai Salik fees are collected using tags attached to the windscreen of the vehicle. In Abu Dhabi the toll gate fees will be collected using sophisticated number plate recognition technology. Motorists from Dubai need to register for a new Abu Dhabi toll system account if they plan to visit. 

Who is exempt from paying the toll price in Abu Dhabi?

The following categories don’t need to pay at the toll gates in Abu Dhabi: 

• Based on eligibility:
  • Senior Emirati Citizens
  • Retirees
  • People of Determination
  • Low-income Earners

Vehicles exempt from toll gate charges in Abu Dhabi include:

• Ambulances
• Armed Forces vehicles
• Civil Defense vehicles
• Police vehicles (all emirates)
• Ministry of the Interior vehicles
• Public buses
• Motorcycles
• Abu Dhabi licenced taxis
• School buses authorised by the Department of Transport
• All passenger buses (limited to 26 passengers and above)
• Towed vehicles

That concludes this guide on the Abu Dhabi Salik version. If you have any other questions regarding the new system or the Abu Dhabi toll gate registration process you can call: 800-88888, or email: customer.care@dot.abudhabi.ae.

Stay tuned to this space for all the latest updates on this toll gate system in the capital. If you are new to the city and waiting to get your license, take a look at our detailed Abu Dhabi driving licence guide. 

Although different, this toll gate Abu Dhabi system works quite similarly to Salik in Dubai. You need to recharge your Salik account to ensure you have sufficient balance for toll deductions every time you pass a gate. In the same way, you need to recharge your Abu Dhabi Salik account, which is called DARB.

Planning to move to an apartment for rent in Abu Dhabi? Don’t forget to check out the apartments for rent with parking in Abu Dhabi so you can save some money on parking fees! 

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