Dubai is the land of tall buildings that kiss the clouds, supercars, and roads smoother than your breakfast coffee. But if you're driving around here, you've probably already heard of Salik. Hate it or love it, this toll system churns traffic like a well-maintained supercar.
Whatever brings you into town or just a reminder, here's everything you need to know about Salik – from what it does to how much it'll cost you.
Salik (which is simply "open" or "clear" in Arabic) is the Dubai electronic toll system introduced by the Roads and Transport Authority in 2007.
Instead of booths, barriers, and digging around for coins while frustrated drivers honk behind you, Salik in Dubai uses a smart, cashless approach.
Each time when your vehicle zooms through a Salik toll gate, a reader reads your vehicle's Salik tag and deducts the toll fee automatically from your prepaid Salik account.
There’s no need to stop, no delays, just hassle-free driving. Sounds wonderful, doesn't it? Well, unless you somehow forget to top up your account then you have to pay the penalties.
Dubai has a robust system in place to manage traffic congestion and support infrastructure development.
Such toll gate system uses electronic toll collection technology. This helps drivers make payments automatically without stopping you at the toll gate.
You can say that a Salik tag is your vehicle's VIP pass to drive on Dubai roads. It is a compact, sticker-like piece of equipment for carrying a sort of cash, which you mount on your windshield, and it talks to the toll gates through RFID technology.
When you drive your vehicle through a Salik gate, the system takes a reading off your tag and charges the toll fee. When you don't have an authentic Salik tag, the system still scans the plate number of your vehicle, but you are charged a penalty. Oops, you’re caught!
It's almost as simple as ordering your most loved food via a food-delivery app (without the wait). If you want to obtain a Salik tag, then the most convenient of them all is ordering it online from the RTA website or the Salik app, and it will be delivered to your doorstep.
If you are near any RTA customer service centre, go there, collect your tag, and you're done. Plus, you can also take it from petrol stations and banks where, Salik tags are available for sale at numerous stations.
When you are at the stunning Dubai Airports, you can even get one from there if you're a visitor who rented a car.
As soon as you receive your Salik tag, don't forget to activate it! (Yes, that's the important part.) you just have to register it on the internet, top-up with the cash to your account, and affix it to your windshield.
As you need to register for a Salik tag, you must follow the follow this process:
While account activation takes approximately 2 days, a fee for these days will be added and debited from your account subsequently. If you have not received a confirmation SMS within 10 days after registering, please contact the authorities.
Dubai is big on efficiency, but there's paperwork. These are what you'll need to register:
That's it! No tedious forms, no complex process—just two clicks, and you're done.
Let’s now look at some money matters. How much will a Salik in Dubai set you back?
If you buy from an RTA-designated spot, it will cost you AED 100 (AED 50 is added as a balance to your account and AED 50 for the tag)
If you buy the Salik tag in Dubai online, it will cost AED 120. This covers AED 50 for the tag, AED 50 for the prepaid balance, and AED 20 for delivery, as the tag will be sent to your home. If you decide to get your Salik tag online, make sure the delivery team covers your area.
Well, consider it as an investment for stress-free road trips. And if you're in a rented vehicle, then you don't need to worry because most car rental companies deal with the Salik charges on your behalf (just make sure to review their charges so that you're not surprised).
It's less difficult to reload your Salik account than trying to motivate yourself to the gym. You can do this from the comfort of your cosy couch; you just simply have to log in on the official Salik or RTA website, provide your account details and pay.
According to the official website of the RTA, recharging just requires one of the following documents:
Salik requires your registered mobile number, vehicle plate number, PIN code, and account number. Salik tag number, plate number of your car.
Here are the different ways you can recharge your Salik account in Dubai.
Via the app or website of Salik Dubai with your credit card
Salik call centres Toll-free number: you can call 800-SALIK (72545)
Via Salik Dubai recharge card
Kiosk machines (for cash payments)
Cash Deposit Machines for Emirates NBD and DIB.
Another method to recharge Salik cards is to buy them at petrol stations and convenience stores. Or bank transfers would be a good idea.
It’s always better to stay alert, so check your balance frequently. When it is zero, always remember that Salik doesn't dawdle—fines start accumulating faster than clothes during a lazy weekend.
Salik toll gates are located at various points across the city, including Sheikh Zayed Road. This Pearl Oasis has multiple gates to keep traffic moving smoothly. Here’s where you’ll find them:
1. Al Garhoud Bridge
2. Al Maktoum Bridge
3. Al Mamzar South
4. Al Mamzar North
5. Airport Tunnel
6. Al Safa
7. Al Barsha
8. Jebel Ali
9. Business Bay Crossing
10. Al Safa South
Salik has a flat fee every time you pass through a toll gate, so you can count on it (though it's not cheap if you're out and about a lot).
AED 4 per passage – whether daytime, heading to the office, or returning home after a night out, the fee doesn't change during off-peak hours but AED 6 during peak hours.
Salik operates 24/7 operation – as it never sleeps, in Dubai!
Salik Gate and its road map are as follows:
Jebel Ali (Sheikh Zayed Road)
Al Barsha (Sheikh Zayed Road)
Al Safa North (Sheikh Zayed Road)
Al Safa South (Sheikh Zayed Road)
Al Garhoud (Al Garhoud Bridge)
Al Maktoum (Al Maktoum Bridge)
Airport Tunnel (Beirut Street)
Al Mamzar North (Al Ittihad Street)
Al Mamzar South (Al Ittihad Street)
Business Bay Crossing (Al Khail Road)
Per toll charges of these gates within an off-peak hour is 4 AED; otherwise, during peak hours, it rises to 6 AED.
However, the Al Mamzar toll gates on Al Ittihad Street and Al Safa gates on Sheikh Zayed Road are exceptions. This bridge's free hours are from Monday to Friday, 10 PM to 6 AM – The odd chance to save a few dirhams!
You won't be double-charged when you drive across Al Mamzar North and Al Mamzar South within an hour (a kind gesture).
You'll be fined for each crossing if your vehicle goes through the same Salik gate repeatedly within an hour, the fees will be deducted only once.
Dubai motorists have increased charges of AED 6 instead of AED 4 to pass through the city’s tolls during peak hours. It was enforced from January 31 2025. Eventually, off-peak charges from 10:00 am to 04:00 pm and 08:00 pm to 01:00 am will be AED 4.
Not keeping your Salik balance topped up or driving without a tag is not only frustrating—it costs a lot of money. Here is how much fine you'll have to pay:
For driving through a Salik gate with a low balance in your account, it is AED 50 per day and AED 100 for the first time for driving without a registered Salik tag. However, AED 200 the second time, AED 400 the third and subsequent for continued driving without a registered tag.
Any tampering or damage to Salik tags or toll gates can incur a heavy fine of AED 10,000. Plus, to prevent excessive fines, Salik has fixed the highest aggregate fines of AED 10,000 per vehicle within a calendar year.
Do you still need a translation? Well, disobedience of Salik in Dubai can rather quickly empt your wallet.
Despite Salik generally applying to all vehicles, some exemptions exist:
Emergency Vehicles: Ambulances, police cars, and civil defense cars are exempted from Salik charges.
Public Buses: RTA buses are exempted from toll fees.
School Buses: Registered school buses are exempt from Salik tolls.
Motorcycles: Two-wheelers are exempt from Salik charges.
Note: Electric cars are not exempted from Salik charges.
If you want to save those dirhams, try the following Salik-free routes:
Tip: It's always good to plan ahead with GPS driving maps where you are able to pick preferences such as toll roads.
Salik plays a key function in maintaining Dubai traffic flowing. With its tolls known, obeying regulations, and understanding exemptions, drivers can get around town efficiently and affordably.
As a regular motorist or just an occasional driver, being well-informed about Salik means less stressful drives and a better-pleased wallet.
After adding two new gates, located at Business Bay Crossing and Al Safa South, in November 2024, there are now ten gates strategically located Salik gates in the city of Dubai. You can find them across major highways and bridges in this city.
No, as each vehicle must need to carry a Salik tag, you can add your vehicle to the same account to log tolls appropriately. The process is the same as registering the first one. This means if you have more than one car registered in your name with one file number you can request to add up in the same file.
Inform Salik's customer service right away about the incident. They will deactivate the compromised tag. Otherwise, you’ll be paying any tolls that it passes by. You can also visit the website and deactivate it, and you will need to purchase and register a new one.
You can get your balance from the Salik website, the Smart Salik App, or from their customer service. For checking online from the smart app or website, you must log in with the registration details. Plus, you can contact customer service for an offline balance check at 800-7254.
In case of any query, contact Salik customer service via their website or helpline. You can also contact them on this toll number: 800-72545 or email customerservice@salik.ae.
No, Salik in Dubai is operational 24/7. Some gates, like Al Maktoum Bridge, are toll-free from 10 PM to 6 AM. Otherwise, every toll gate charges, it's just if you take that toll within the same hour, then only you are safe.
Yes, you can enter Dubai without Salik by using toll-free roads. You can even drive in Dubai without a Salik tag, but you risk incurring fines if you pass through Salik toll gates without a valid tag or sufficient balance on your tag.
Yes, Salik gates remain effective on National Day and are typically free on the 2nd and 3rd of December unless an official exemption is stated.
No, you cannot use a Dubai Salik tag in Abu Dhabi because Abu Dhabi has a separate system known as DARB, which runs on number plate recognition and involves a separate registration process.
No, Salik is not free on Sundays but is free between 1 AM and 6 AM, and the toll is AED 4 throughout the day, excluding public holidays.
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