Darb is Abu Dhabi’s toll gate system launched on January 2, 2021, to help ease traffic and promote the use of public transport. It’s designed to reduce congestion by encouraging drivers to avoid peak hours and switch to alternative travel options.The system is fully automated and operates using sensors and plate recognition instead of physical toll booths. This means you don’t need to stop or pay manually; fees are automatically deducted from your Darb wallet based on your vehicle’s license plate.Registration is required for all drivers using Abu Dhabi toll roads, whether you're a resident of Abu Dhabi or from another emirate.
No, you cannot enter Abu Dhabi without a Darb account. You need to have sufficient funds and a registered account, or else you will be levied with hefty fines.
The toll fee is automatically deducted from your account as you pass through the Darb toll gate. Make sure you have sufficient funds for this deduction.
Darb allows toll-free travel during off-peak hours and on Sundays, while Salik runs 24/7. Still, Salik offers ways to save, like toll-free hours at gates such as Al Maktoum Bridge. By planning your trips during non-peak times or weekends, you can reduce toll costs with both systems.
Yes, Sundays and public holidays are completely toll-free in Abu Dhabi. These days, you can drive through toll gates at any time without paying any fees.
If you drive through an Abu Dhabi toll gate without registering your vehicle, you'll be fined AED 100 the first time, AED 200 the second time, and AED 300 for the third time or more.
When you drive through a Darb toll gate, your car's number plate is scanned. The system then deducts the toll fee from your online wallet. There are no need to stick to any tags on your car; just ensure your vehicle is registered and your wallet has enough balance. The entire process is quick, easy, and designed for your convenience.
Importance of Abu Dhabi Darb Toll SystemThe Darb toll system in Abu Dhabi is more than just a way to collect road fees—it plays a key role in managing city traffic and improving the overall travel experience. Here's how it makes a difference —
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All the vehicles registered in Abu Dhabi must be registered with the DARB system. The registration process is simple and can be done via the main DARB website or the DARB mobile app. You can do Abu Dhabi DARB registration for private vehicles and company cars. Here are the processes to register for the Abu Dhabi DARB toll gate system:
You can register your private car for DARB registration in the following way —
Once you have completed the registration process, you can access the DARB dashboard to keep track of the registered and unregistered vehicles with your current balance.
You can also carry out the Abu Dhabi DARB registration process for your company cars. The process is the same as that for individual vehicles. All you need to do is select the Establishment tab and follow the same process. However, the details you must fill in the registration form can differ. The details include —
There are 4 locations for DARB toll gates, all situated on the primary bridges that lead to your city. These locations are as follows —
The standard Darb toll fee is AED 4 per trip, and it's only charged during peak hours. No matter how many times you pass through toll gates in one day, the maximum charge is AED 16. If you own more than one vehicle under the same account, monthly toll fees are capped to help reduce costs:
These monthly limits apply automatically to all registered vehicles.
With the DARB toll system in Abu Dhabi, there's no need to pay with cash at toll gates. The toll fee is automatically taken from your DARB wallet, which is linked to your account.You can easily top up the wallet online through the DARB website or app using a credit or debit card. Also, since DARB is linked to the Federal Traffic System, newly registered vehicles are added automatically, so you don’t need to create a new account.
The DARB toll gate timings vary on weekdays and weekends. Here are the peak hours timings on weekdays (Monday to Saturday):
Toll fees are not applicable on Sundays and official public holidays in Abu Dhabi. On weekdays, too, there are certain hours when you can travel through these toll gates for free. These Darb timings in Abu Dhabi are —
If you try to pass through the Darb toll gate with an inactive Darb account, you would need to pay hefty fines. This Abu Dhabi Darb registration is mandatory for vehicles. There are 4 types of toll gate system violations.
Darb Card RechargeHere’s how you can recharge your Darb balance to avoid any fines —
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Individuals Eligible for Toll Exemption —
Note — Only one vehicle per person can be exempted. If the vehicle is registered in Abu Dhabi, the exemption is applied automatically. For vehicles registered in other emirates, follow these simple steps —
Toll-Exempt Vehicles —
How to Handle Abu Dhabi Darb Toll System Smartly?Here's how to save money and stay compliant with the Abu Dhabi Tolling System —
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