What is it? Abu Dhabi's toll system is officially called DARB (not Salik). It uses Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) — no physical tag or sticker needed.
How to register? Visit the DARB portal (darb.itc.gov.ae) or download the DARB app. The process takes under 10 minutes online.
What does it cost? AED 100 registration fee (AED 50 credited back to your wallet). Toll charge is AED 4 per crossing during peak hours.
How many gates? 6 active DARB toll gates as of May 2026, 4 on Abu Dhabi island bridges + 2 new 24/7 highway gates (Ghantoot & Al Qurm).
If you drive a Dubai-registered vehicle: You must register manually at least 10 days before crossing any Abu Dhabi toll gate. Dubai Salik does not work in Abu Dhabi.
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Whether you've just bought a new car in Abu Dhabi, drive in from Dubai regularly, or run a company fleet, this guide covers everything you need to get registered on DARB, Abu Dhabi's official road toll system. While some may call it 'Abu Dhabi Salik', the official name is not that but DARB, managed by the Integrated Transport Centre (ITC). Unlike Dubai's Salik, which needs a physical RFID sticker on your windshield, DARB is completely tagless. High-tech cameras read your licence plate automatically every time you pass under a toll gate. Your plate is your pass.
What is Abu Dhabi Salik (DARB)?
If you've been searching for "Abu Dhabi Salik," you're on the right track. However, the official name for Abu Dhabi's toll system is DARB. Launched on January 2, 2021, by the Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT), DARB is the capital's smart road toll programme designed to ease congestion during peak commuting hours.
Unlike Dubai's Salik system, which requires a physical RFID sticker on your windshield, DARB is completely tagless. High-tech Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras identify your vehicle as you pass under a toll gate and automatically deduct the fee from your registered DARB e-wallet.
No stopping, no stickers, and no cash. Your vehicle plate is your tag.
Source: AI Generated/Human Edited
Abu Dhabi Salik /DARB Toll Gate Locations (Updated May 2026)
As of 2026, there are 6 active DARB toll gates in Abu Dhabi. The original four are located on the main bridges connecting Abu Dhabi island to the mainland. Two new gates went live on May 4, 2026, along the E11 highway between Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
Original 4 Bridge Gates (Abu Dhabi Island Entry Points)
Al Maqtaa Bridge — Main connection to Abu Dhabi island; on the route to Yas Island and Abu Dhabi International Airport
Sheikh Zayed Bridge — Eastern entry from the mainland; one of the city's most iconic crossings
Musaffah Bridge — Connects the Musaffah industrial zone to Abu Dhabi island
Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Bridge — Links the mainland near the Al Maqtaa area
All four gates charge in both directions (entering and exiting the island).
New Highway Gates (Operational from May 4, 2026)
Ghantoot Toll Gate — Located on Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Street in Ghantoot, on the Dubai–Abu Dhabi E11 highway
Al Qurm Toll Gate — Located on Wahat Al Karama Street, at the entrance and exit of Sheikh Zayed Street
Important: The two new Ghantoot and Al Qurm gates operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This is unlike the original four gates, which only charge during peak hours.
Abu Dhabi Salik / DARB Toll Timings and Charges (2026)
Source: AI Generated/Human Edited
Peak Hour Timings (When You Get Charged)
Day
Morning Peak
Evening Peak
Monday to Saturday
7 AM - 9 AM
3 PM - 7 PM
Sunday
Free all day
Free all day
Public Holidays
Free all day
Free all day
September 2025 Update: The ITC extended the evening peak from 5 PM–7 PM to 3 PM–7 PM, adding two extra hours of chargeable time. If you used to beat the evening toll by leaving at 4:30 PM, that window is now closed.
What are the DARB Toll Timings During Ramadan?
DARB adjusts its peak-hour schedule during Ramadan to match the changed working hours across the UAE. Historically, the morning peak window shifts later (typically 9 AM – 11 AM) and the evening window adjusts to post-Iftar hours. The AED 4 per crossing fee remains the same.
⚠️ Always verify Ramadan timings on the official DARB app or darb.itc.gov.ae before the holy month begins, as timings are announced closer to the start of Ramadan each year.
How Much Does Abu Dhabi Salik Cost Per Crossing?
The following charges are applicable to Abu Dhabi Salik:
AED 4 per crossing during peak hours — for the original four bridge gates.
For the new Ghantoot and Al Qurm gates: AED 4 per crossing, 24/7 (no off-peak free window).
Are There Daily or Monthly Caps?
No, caps were removed on September 1, 2025. Previously, the system had a daily cap of AED 16 and monthly limits of AED 200/150/100, depending on how many vehicles you owned. Those caps no longer apply to the four original bridge gates.
If you are a daily commuter crossing multiple gates during peak hours, plan your routes carefully. Apps like Google Maps and Waze show toll roads. Avoiding travel during the 7–9 AM and 3–7 PM windows can save you significant money over a month.
How to Register for Abu Dhabi Salik (DARB) Online — Step by Step Explanation
What You Need Before You Start
Before beginning your DARB registration, keep these ready:
Emirates ID (residents): For identity verification
Traffic Code Number (TCN): Found on your vehicle registration card (Mulkiya)
Active mobile number and email address: For OTP verification
Debit or credit card: To pay the AED 100 registration fee
Step-by-Step: Abu Dhabi Salik Registration for Individual / Private Vehicle
Visit the official DARB website or download the DARB mobile app (available on Google Play Store and Apple App Store)
Click on “Create New Account” and select “Individual” as the service type
Enter your email address and click Submit
Enter the OTP sent to your email to verify your account
Select the emirate where your vehicle is registered (Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, and so on)
Enter your Traffic Code Number (TCN) from your vehicle registration card
Select your registered mobile number and press Verify
Enter the OTP sent to your mobile
Create and confirm your account password
Once these steps are complete, your DARB account is set up. The next step is to activate it by adding your vehicle and topping up your e-wallet.
How to Activate Your DARB Account?
Log into your account via the DARB website or app
Click on “Register Vehicle” from your dashboard
Enter your vehicle details
Select a payment method (credit/debit card or Amwal Wallet)
Pay the AED 100 registration fee — AED 50 will be credited back to your DARB wallet as your opening balance
Once payment is confirmed, your account is active and ready
Pro tip: If you own more than one vehicle, you can register all of them under a single DARB account. Each vehicle is registered separately, but managed from the same dashboard.
How to Register Abu Dhabi DARB for Dubai-Registered Vehicles?
If your vehicle carries Dubai (DXB) number plates, you are not automatically enrolled in DARB. You must register manually.
The process is exactly the same as the standard individual registration above. When you reach Step 5, select Dubai as your vehicle's registered emirate, then enter your Dubai Traffic Code Number.
Critical reminder: You must create your DARB account at least 10 days before you plan to drive through an Abu Dhabi toll gate. If you cross a gate unregistered, you enter a 10-day grace period. After this, fines start accumulating.
This applies equally to vehicles registered in Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, or Umm Al Quwain. If your plate isn't from Abu Dhabi, manual registration is mandatory.
How to Register DARB for Commercial Vehicles (for Companies)?
Companies and businesses must register their fleet separately under an “Establishment” account. Here's how:
Visit the DARB Abu Dhabi website
Select “Establishment” under ‘Create New Account’
Enter company email and verify via OTP
Select the emirate of vehicle registration
Enter the Establishment Traffic Code Number
Verify your mobile number via OTP
Set your password
Enter all required company details and choose the “REGISTER” option
Documents Required for Commercial Vehicle DARB Registration
Company Trade Licence
Stamped and signed company letter containing: company representative details, email, mobile number, and Traffic Code Number
Excel sheet listing all vehicles with: licence plate number, colour/code, and plate source (DXB – Dubai, AUH – Abu Dhabi, SHJ – Sharjah, AJM – Ajman, RAK – Ras Al Khaimah, UAQ – Umm Al Quwain, FUJ – Fujairah)
RTA/Driving Licence documentation
Can You Use Dubai Salik in Abu Dhabi?
Source: AI Generated/Human Edited
No. The Dubai Salik tag and DARB are completely separate systems. Your Salik RFID tag will not work at Abu Dhabi toll gates. Also, your DARB account has no bearing on Dubai's Salik system. You need a separate, active account for each emirate's toll system.
This is also why driving a Dubai-registered vehicle through Abu Dhabi without DARB registration still results in a fine.
What Can You Do on the DARB App (Abu Dhabi Salik App)?
The DARB mobile app is the easiest way to manage your Abu Dhabi toll account on the go. Available free on Google Play Store and Apple App Store, the app lets you:
Register your vehicle and create a new account from scratch
Top up your DARB e-wallet instantly using a debit or credit card
Check your current balance and transaction history
View and pay any outstanding DARB fines
Apply for toll exemptions (people of determination, senior citizens, and so on)
Set up automatic top-up so you never run low
Pay MAWAQIF parking fees in Abu Dhabi using your DARB balance
Search 'DARB' in your app store or visit the official DARB portal to find the download link. The app is available in both Arabic and English.
What are the Fines for Not Registering on DARB?
DARB gives unregistered vehicle owners a 10-day grace period after their first crossing. If registration is not completed within that time, fines escalate quickly:
Violation
Fines
1st day after grace period ends
AED 100
2nd Day
AED 200
3rd Day
AED 400
Cumulative Maximum (per year)
AED 25,000
Vehicles with insufficient balance (for non-Abu Dhabi plates) are fined AED 50 per day after 5 working days of running low.
Who is Exempt from Abu Dhabi DARB Toll Charges?
The following categories are automatically exempt and do not need to apply for exemption:
Motorcycles
Taxis licensed in Abu Dhabi
School buses registered in Abu Dhabi
Public buses carrying 26 or more passengers
Ambulances and Civil Defence vehicles
Ministry of Interior and Armed Forces vehicles
Towed vehicles
The following must apply for exemption through the DARB portal:
Senior citizens or retired Emiratis with limited income
People of Determination
Low-income Emirati citizens
Electric vehicles (check current status on the official portal, as EV policy has been revised)
How to Apply for a DARB Toll Exemption?
Sign up or log in to the DARB website or mobile app
Select the “Exemption” option from your dashboard
Choose the applicable exemption category
Upload the required supporting documents
Vehicles registered in Abu Dhabi that qualify for exemption are automatically processed. Vehicles from other emirates must apply manually.
How to Top Up Your Salik or DARB E-Wallet?
Your DARB account works like a prepaid wallet. Tolls are deducted automatically each time you pass through a gate during peak hours. You can top up anytime via:
DARB website — Log in and click on the “Top-Up” button next to your wallet
DARB mobile app — Top up directly from the vehicles or profile page
Credit or debit card — Any UAE-issued card works
Auto top-up — Enable automatic recharge when your balance drops below a set threshold (recommended for daily commuters)
Top-ups reflect immediately, so there's no waiting period before your next crossing.
Abu Dhabi DARB and Dubai Salik are both road toll systems, and they work differently as well. DARB uses number plate recognition and charges mainly during peak hours. Salik, meanwhile, uses a physical tag and charges every time you pass through a toll gate in Dubai.
Feature
Abu Dhabi DARB
Dubai Salik
Physical tag needed?
No — it uses number plate recognition
Yes, a Salik RFID tag is fixed on the windshield
Charging model
Peak hours only from Monday to Saturday
Charged 24/7 on every toll crossing
Charge per crossing
AED 4
AED 4
Daily/monthly caps
Removed in September 2025
AED 24 daily cap
Free days
Sundays and public holidays
No free days
Number of toll gates
6, as of May 2026
9
Managed by
ITC / DMT Abu Dhabi
RTA Dubai
Are both systems linked?
No, DARB is not linked to Salik
No, Salik is not linked to DARB
Sources and Official References
Official DARB Portal:darb.itc.gov.ae
Abu Dhabi Mobility (ADMobility):admobility.gov.ae
TAMM Abu Dhabi (Government Services): tamm.abudhabi
DARB App: Available on Google Play Store and Apple App Store
DARB Customer Service: 800 850
This guide reflects the DARB toll system as of May 2026, including the September 2025 timing and cap changes and the two new gates activated on May 4, 2026. Always verify current details on the official DARB website, as the system continues to evolve.
No. DARB does not use a physical tag. Your vehicle's number plate is all the system needs. Do not confuse this with Dubai's Salik, which requires an RFID sticker.
How do I know if I am already registered for DARB?
Log into the DARB portal or app using your Traffic Code Number or Emirates ID. If your vehicle is listed under an active account, you're registered. If not, you'll need to create a new account.
I drive from Dubai to Abu Dhabi daily. What do I need to register?
You need to create a DARB account and register your Dubai-plated vehicle. Select Dubai as the vehicle emirate and enter your Dubai Traffic Code Number. Do this at least 10 days before your first crossing to avoid fines.
Do the new Ghantoot and Al Qurm toll gates operate on Sundays?
Yes. Unlike the original four bridge gates, the Ghantoot and Al Qurm toll gates operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including Sundays and public holidays.
What happens if I rent a car in Abu Dhabi? Do I need to register?
No. Rental companies are legally obligated to register their vehicles on DARB. Any tolls incurred will be charged to you through the rental company. Confirm their toll policy before picking up the car.
Can I use my DARB wallet to pay for parking?
Yes. DARB's e-wallet is now integrated with Abu Dhabi's MAWAQIF parking system. You can pay for parking directly from your DARB account balance.
What is the DARB customer service number?
You can reach DARB customer service on 800 850 (available in English and Arabic).
How do I link Salik with DARB? Can I use one account for both?
They cannot be linked into a single account. Salik and DARB are run by two completely different authorities (RTA Dubai vs ITC Abu Dhabi) and have no backend integration as of 2026. You need a separate DARB account for Abu Dhabi and a separate Salik account for Dubai. If you are a regular Dubai-Abu Dhabi commuter, make sure both accounts are topped up before your journeys.
How do I check my DARB balance or pay a DARB fine online?
Log in to your account at darb.itc.gov.ae or open the DARB app. Your current balance is displayed on the home dashboard. To pay a fine, go to 'Fines' from the main menu, select the outstanding violation, and pay using your e-wallet balance or a card. You can also call DARB customer service at 800 850 for assistance. Setting up auto top-up is the easiest way to avoid fines for an insufficient balance.
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What is it? Abu Dhabi's toll system is officially called DARB (not Salik). It uses Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) — no physical tag or sticker needed..webp)
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