Abu Dhabi and Dubai have their own toll roads systems. Dubai it is called Salik and in Abu Dhabi it is called Darb. It is mandatory to make yourself familiar with the rules for each toll system as there will be fines if you passed the toll roads without active accounts. We will summarize the most important points for each toll system:
Salik:
Dubai roads are not toll roads, except for one major road (Shaikh Zayed Road), for which you need a Salik account. To enable Salik you need to install a sticker in the car (toward the top center of the windshield) which you can usually buy from any gas station or order online through the Salik website. Once you purchase the tag you can activate and manage it using Smart Salik mobile app. The app offers many features such as viewing your chargeable trips, location of the toll gates, your balance, topping up your balance and manage the tags (in the case you have multiple cars). Drivers do not have to do anything when passing under Salik gates as stickers will be detected automatically. Every time you pass under a Salik gate a charge of 5.25 AED (around $1.5) will be incurred. If you pass under a Salik gate without sufficient balance, then you have a 10-day grace period to recharge your account before a fine is added. Make sure you input an active phone number when you activate your Salik tag, as you will receive reminders and notifications in the case your balance is depleted.
Dhabi Darb:
Darb is the name of Abu Dhabi’s toll system and means road in Arabic. However, Darb is only active on the roads exiting or entering the Abu Dhabi main island during the rush hours (from 7am to 9 am and from 5pm to 7pm Saturday to Thursday). Unlike Salik, the Darb system uses cameras to read car plate numbers and thus drivers do not need to attach stickers or other devices onto their cars. You do need to create a Darb account using the mobile application or Darb website and register your cars in the system before passing through the toll gates, which incurs a charge of 4 AED on each entry and exit to Abu Dhabi Island during peak hours. If you get lost and find yourself in circles over the bridges, don’t worry– there is a daily charge limit of 16 AED per vehicle. Similar to Salik, the system is fully automated and as a driver you only need to worry about registering your vehicles in the Darb system and making sure you have a balance in your account (use the mobile app to top up your account).you are driving a rented vehicle, then the rental companies are expected to have their cars ready for the toll roads in both cities and you will be charged based on your usage of the toll roads.
