Similar to the Salik system in Dubai, UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan announced the introduction of a toll collection system in Abu Dhabi in early February 2018. This system, known as the DARB toll station system, is one of the measures taken by the Department of Transport to reduce congestion on certain road networks and maintain the quality of urban roads. Here’s all the information you need to know:
When will the Abu Dhabi toll gate open?
The DARB toll system in Abu Dhabi was originally launched in January 2020 and there are no tolls on vehicles throughout the year. Following the outbreak of coronavirus in the UAE, the Abu Dhabi government launched the Ghadan 21 initiative to help protect the capital’s economy. It was decided not to charge tolls on Abu Dhabi roads until the end of 2020.
From January 2, 2021, Abu Dhabi’s toll gates will be open as usual. Drivers are advised to register their vehicles with the DARB toll system to avoid fines. Until the end of 2020, cars passing through toll points will not be fined or collected.
Let’s take a look at the registration fees for toll gates in Abu Dhabi and information on some of the bridges that will be implemented at these toll gates.
What is DARB Abu Dhabi Toll Gate System?
Usually, people ask, “Is there a Salik in Abu Dhabi?” The answer is yes. However, Salik in Abu Dhabi is equivalent to the DARB Toll name. Similar to the Salik system in Dubai and part of the larger DARB plan in Abu Dhabi, the DARB system is an automated toll collection system.
As previously mentioned, the system aims to reduce traffic congestion and ensure a smooth ride. With the DARB toll collection system in Abu Dhabi, you don’t have to stop paying tolls.
DARB Abu Dhabi Paid Online Check-in
Initially, all vehicles registered in Salik Abu Dhabi will automatically check-in at the Abu Dhabi toll gate for free. A previously registered account can be reactivated.
However, anyone who has not previously registered a vehicle at the DARB toll gate system in Abu Dhabi must register by January 2, 2021, to avoid fines. There are two ways to do this. Register your vehicle:
- DARB official website
- DARB Abu Dhabi Toll Gate App
As part of the same registration process, people can also search for “Registration in Abu Dhabi Salik,” and you can add other vehicles to the same account as well. If you want to know how to register a toll gate in Abu Dhabi with a Dubai license plate or another emirate’s license plate, the process remains the same.
After creating a DARB account, you can proceed with the registration of the vehicle in the system. To do this, you need to enter the following information:
- Title
- phone number
- UAE ID number
- Car details
Registration fee at the toll collection point in Abu Dhabi
According to the Abu Dhabi toll road registration website, the initial registration fee for the Abu Dhabi toll station is AED 100. AED 50 will be added to your account as credit. You do not need to buy DARB tags in Abu Dhabi; the cost will be debited from your account based on your car’s license plate.
Tolls for toll points in Abu Dhabi
Beginning in January 2021, motorists will need to be prepared to pay DARB tolls in Abu Dhabi. According to the latest figures, these are the costs of the new toll station system in Abu Dhabi:
- The cost of DARB in Abu Dhabi is 4 dirhams.
- Drivers only have to pay during Abu Dhabi rush hours from Saturday to Thursday (07:00 to 09:00 and 17:00 to 19:00).
- DARB fees are not charged during off-peak hours on weekdays.
- DARB fees in Abu Dhabi are also free on Fridays and public holidays.
- The maximum daily rate is 16 dirhams.
- Monthly personal car limit: AED 200 for one car, AED 150 for a second car, AED 100 for each additional car.
How to deduct DARB tolls in Abu Dhabi?
Salik Abu Dhabi or the actually famous DARB toll stations are not the same scanning technology used in the Dubai Salik system. Salik Dubai will automatically scan Salik tags installed on vehicle windshields. In Abu Dhabi, the toll will be debited from the prepaid DARB account based on the vehicle’s license plate using the built-in electronic payment wallet.
Abu Dhabi Darb penalty
Those who attempt to pass through the toll gates of Abu Dhabi without activating their DARB account may face severe fines. DARB registration is mandatory even for tax-exempt vehicles.
Any unregistered vehicles passing through the Abu Dhabi Toll Gates will have a 10-day (business day) grace period to register their vehicles with the system. If the driver still fails to do so, the penalty will be applied and accumulated every day.
According to the current report, fines at the toll gates of Abu Dhabi will accumulate daily:
- Day 1: AED 100
- Day 2: AED 200
- Day 3: AED 300
- Day 4: AED 400, up to AED 10,000
Drivers should also ensure that they have sufficient balance in their DARB account. Driving through a toll gate with insufficient balance can result in a fine of AED 50 per day. In this case, the grace period is five business days.
DARB ABU DHABI location of the toll collection point
According to the latest reports, there are four routes you can take to pay your fare in Abu Dhabi:
- Mike Tower Bridge
- Musafah bridge
- Sheikh Zayed Bridge
- Sheikh Khalifa bridge
People living in Khalifa City A and other suburbs of Abu Dhabi will definitely feel the difference when traveling across these bridges. Likewise, those who work in downtown Abu Dhabi and live in rented apartments in Musafa will also benefit from reduced congestion on the Musafa Bridge during peak hours. In addition to the Mawaqif system, drivers in Abu Dhabi should also be familiar with the new Abu Dhabi toll collection process.