Drive a car in Dubai and you'll cross at least one Salik gate. Drive in Abu Dhabi and you'll cross a Darb gate. Both systems charge tolls automatically — but they work differently, the fines for non-payment are steep, and rental car / non-resident handling has its own quirks. Here's everything you need to know in 2026.
Salik vs Darb at a glance
| Feature | Salik (Dubai) | Darb (Abu Dhabi) |
|---|---|---|
| Operator | Salik Company (RTA-affiliated) | Integrated Transport Centre (ITC) |
| Physical tag | Yes — RFID windscreen sticker | No — number plate recognition (ANPR) |
| Toll per gate | AED 4 (off-peak), AED 6 (peak: 6–10am, 4–8pm) | AED 4 (off-peak), AED 6 (peak: 7–9am, 5–7pm) |
| Daily cap | None (each crossing charged) | Yes — AED 16 max per day |
| Active gates (2026) | 10+ across Sheikh Zayed Road, Al Maktoum Bridge, Garhoud Bridge, Business Bay, Al Mamzar, Airport Tunnel | 4 — Khalifa Bridge, Maqta Bridge, Mussafah Bridge, Saadiyat Bridge |
| Late fine | AED 50 within 5 days, AED 100 thereafter | AED 100 if unpaid within 10 days |
| Account types | Personal, Corporate, Visitor | Personal, Corporate, Visitor |
Setting up a Salik account
- Open the Salik app or visit salik.gov.ae.
- Register using Emirates ID and UAE Pass.
- Order a Salik tag (AED 100, includes AED 50 starting balance) — pickup from any ENOC, Adnoc, or Salik kiosk, or home delivery.
- Stick the tag to the inside of your windscreen, top centre, behind the rear-view mirror.
- Link the tag to your Mulkiya. Top up via the app, debit card, kiosk, or auto-recharge from your bank.
Setting up a Darb account
Darb has no physical tag — it relies on Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras at the toll gates.
- Open the Darb app or visit darb.itc.gov.ae.
- Register using Emirates ID and UAE Pass.
- Add your vehicle by entering plate code, plate number, and Mulkiya number — the system auto-validates.
- Top up via card, bank transfer, ATM, or salary auto-debit.
- Each crossing is automatically deducted from the linked vehicle's account.
Top-up methods compared
| Channel | Salik | Darb |
|---|---|---|
| App (debit / credit card) | Instant | Instant |
| UAE Pass | Instant | Instant |
| Bank transfer | Same day | Same day |
| Auto-recharge | Yes | Yes |
| ATM (Emirates NBD, FAB, ADCB) | Instant | Instant |
| Petrol stations (ENOC, Adnoc) | Yes | No |
| Cash at kiosk | Yes (Salik kiosks) | Limited |
Fines and how to avoid them
- Insufficient balance at crossing — Salik charges AED 50 if not paid within 5 days, AED 100 after.
- Unregistered plate at Darb — AED 100 if not paid within 10 days.
- Repeated offences — fines accumulate per crossing; daily cap on Darb does not apply to penalties.
- Best avoidance — set up auto-recharge with a low-balance trigger (e.g. recharge AED 100 when balance falls below AED 30).
Non-resident and visitor options
Tourists driving rental cars in Dubai don't need to set up Salik themselves — the rental company links the car to its corporate Salik account and bills you (often with an admin fee on top of the AED 4–6 toll). For Darb, the same applies.
If you're a non-resident driving a non-UAE registered car (e.g. an Omani plate visiting Dubai), Salik offers a Visitor account on the app — register with passport, vehicle plate, and a credit card. Darb has a similar visitor flow.
Rental cars and Salik / Darb
- The rental company's car is pre-registered to its corporate Salik tag and Darb account.
- You sign a rental agreement that authorises pass-through billing of all tolls.
- At return, the company tallies your tolls (sometimes within 1–2 weeks if the toll system takes time to settle) and bills your card with a per-toll admin fee (AED 5–10 per crossing, plus the actual toll).
- Always ask for a printed toll statement when returning the car to dispute later mistaken charges.
Salik 2026 changes to know
- New gates added on Sheikh Zayed Road and Garhoud Bridge with peak/off-peak dynamic pricing.
- Real-time congestion-based pricing pilot on selected routes — fees can rise to AED 6 in heavy traffic.
- Tag-less option being trialled — ANPR backup for tags that fail to register.
FAQs
Do motorbikes pay Salik? No — bikes and emergency vehicles are exempt.
I sold my car — what happens to my Salik tag? The tag stays with the vehicle's account; transfer it to your new car via the app. Refund of remaining balance is available on closure.
Does Salik work for cars from other emirates driving through Dubai? Yes, provided the vehicle is registered in the Salik system. If not, the cameras log the plate and a fine is sent.
Can companies use one tag across multiple cars? No — each tag is unique to a vehicle. Corporate accounts can manage many tags under one wallet.
Are Salik tolls VAT-able? Yes, 5% VAT is included in the displayed toll fee.
How we help
Visa Simplified sets up Salik and Darb accounts, handles tag pickup, links tags to Mulkiya, and resolves toll disputes with the operators. Start with our Salik / Darb account setup service. Sibling reading: our RTA Dubai vs Abu Dhabi Police guide for understanding which authority handles which vehicle task.
Need help with this?
Our PRO consultants handle the full process end-to-end — documents, government submission, and delivery. Service fee is fully refundable pre-submission.