Salik toll rates, tags, recharge and violations in Dubai

Rates and rules are from Salik’s own site, as of 4 November 2026.

Salik is Dubai’s automatic road toll collection system.

Radio Frequency Identification detects the vehicle and scans a windscreen tag, and the toll comes out of a prepaid account.²

A crossing costs AED 6, AED 4 or AED 0 before VAT

Variable tolling took effect on 31 January 2025 and covers every gate.³ The current bands are below.⁴

Salik prints “AED 6 + VAT”, not a total. Five per cent of AED 6 is AED 0.30 and of AED 4 is AED 0.20, which gives AED 6.30 and AED 4.20. The rate table in Salik’s FAQ still shows AED 6, 4 and 0 with no VAT. The rate page and the VAT answers in the same FAQ are the later statements.³

Gates are not free on public holidays. Salik says the variable schedule may apply on holidays and major events, with rates and timings announced closer to the date.³ It published separate rates for Sunday 1 November 2026 for the Dubai Ride cycling event.⁵ Gulf News reported AED 6 from 6am to 10am that day, with the evening peak staying at AED 4.⁶ Al Maktoum Bridge is no longer toll free on Sundays.³

VAT has applied to tolls since 1 June 2026

Salik applies VAT at 5% to toll usage and tag activation fees from 1 June 2026.⁷ Its FAQ sets out each case.³

Ten gates, and two pairs charge differently

Salik lists ten gates “at the moment”.² Its Toll Locations page names the same ten.⁸

Each gate crossed is charged at the rate for that time. Salik’s FAQ makes an exception for the Al Mamzar and Al Safa pairs, and its answers differ between them.³

The National News published this video on 15 August 2024, before the rates in Table 1.

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A tag costs AED 102.5, or AED 122.5 delivered

The AED 102.5 is AED 52.5 for the tag including VAT and AED 50 of prepaid balance. Buying online adds AED 20 delivery including VAT.³

• Where to buy. The Salik website, the Smart Salik app, the Careem app, selected Emarat, EPPCO/ENOC and ADNOC stations, and selected service centres.
• Activation. A tag bought on the website or Smart Salik app activates once the payment SMS arrives, and the gates may be used from then. Tags from other channels are activated on the website, in the Smart Salik or RTA Dubai app, or on 800 72545, before crossing.
• Delivery. Within 5 working days of the payment SMS. Some areas fall outside delivery.
• One tag per vehicle. Tags are not transferable. A damaged tag is replaced by buying a new one.
• One account per traffic file number. A vehicle registered in another emirate may be added to it.
• Plate change. The tag stays, but the account details must be updated.
• Lost or stolen tag. Deactivate it at once, or tolls on it stay with the account holder.

Sources

Salik’s FAQ.³

Dubai Mall parking also needs an activated tag and Salik account.³

EV owners get a free tag and still pay tolls

Salik’s FAQ sets out these groups.³ Insurance for electric cars is in the EV insurance guide.

Recharge starts at AED 50 and balance expires after 5 years without activity

Recharge amounts run from AED 50 to AED 50,000 per transaction, in multiples of 50.³

Balance cannot be refunded or transferred. It is forfeited after 5 years with no recharge or trip. A low balance SMS is not guaranteed, and Salik holds the account holder responsible for checking. The website and Smart Salik dashboard show a countdown on unpaid trips.³

Violations start after 5 or 10 working days

The vehicle owner is responsible for tolls and violations whoever was driving.³

To pay. Use rta.ae, the Dubai Police site for a Dubai plate, the Abu Dhabi Police site for a non-Dubai plate, or any Vehicle Registration Department in the UAE.³

To dispute. Use the Smart Salik app, the RTA Dubai app, salik.ae or 800 72545. A violation can be disputed up until vehicle registration is due or within the last 13 months, even if it was paid, and a wrong violation is refunded. Further evidence can go to customerservice@salik.ae for a second dispute.³

Renewal requires pending vehicle fines to be paid. See the vehicle registration renewal guide. Police fines are on the traffic fines guide.

Selling a car means removing the tag and the vehicle from the account

A seller who leaves the vehicle on the account can be charged for the new owner’s tolls, and these may turn into violations. A buyer of a used car removes the old tag and has 10 working days from the first trip to fit a new one.³

Do you need Salik and Darb to drive to Abu Dhabi?

Yes, if your route crosses a gate in each emirate. Darb is Abu Dhabi’s toll system.⁹ It has its own account and wallet, so register the vehicle with Darb as well.¹⁰ You have 10 working days from the first crossing to do so.¹⁰

Sources for Table 8

Salik’s rate page⁴ and FAQ.³ Abu Dhabi Mobility on fees,¹¹ caps,¹² exemptions¹³ and the new gates.¹⁴ Q Mobility’s Darb FAQ.¹⁰ Khaleej Times on cameras and 24-hour charging.¹⁵ Dubai Eye on the cap change.¹⁶

Abu Dhabi Mobility’s fee page still shows only the peak hours. Its April 2026 notice says the two new gates operate around the clock at AED 4 per crossing.¹⁴ Khaleej Times reports that they charge 24/7.¹⁵

Darb’s other fines and the rental rules are on the driving in the UAE guide.

Salik listed in 2022 and holds a concession to 2071

Salik Company PJSC was established by Law No. 12 of 2022. It was formerly part of the RTA and has operated Dubai’s toll system since 2007. It listed on the Dubai Financial Market on 29 September 2022 after announcing a float of 24.9% of its shares.¹⁷ A 49-year concession with the RTA runs from 1 July 2022, which takes it to 2071, and gives it the exclusive right to operate existing and future gates.¹⁷

Salik gives two meanings for the name. Its about page says “open” or “clear” in Arabic.¹ The company notes on its 22 May 2026 release say “seamless mobility”.⁷

Salik’s results for the first half of 2026 report the trips below.¹⁸ The release labels the AED 4 band “off-peak”. The rate page calls it low-peak.

3 categories. Highest: AED 4 band, 146.2 million trips. Lowest: AED 0 band, 29.3 million trips.

Data and source

Source: Salik, H1 2026 results press release, published 5 August 2026. Accessed 4 Nov 2026.

Band	Million trips
AED 4 band	146.2 million trips
AED 6 band	102.9 million trips
AED 0 band	29.3 million trips

The FY 2025 row is from Salik’s release of 4 March 2026.¹⁹ The vehicle row is from Salik’s investor page.¹⁷ Salik attributes the lower H1 2026 trips to regional events that began in late February 2026.¹⁸

Salik sends insurance reminders with LIVA

Salik’s FAQ says it works with LIVA Insurance, previously RSA, to remind customers of vehicle insurance renewals. Customers can opt out in their account profile or through the call centre. Renewal is not paid from Salik balance.³ LIVA Insurance B.S.C. (c) is listed in the CBUAE register, September 2026.²⁰ This page does not compare or recommend any insurer.

Watch

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