If you want to drive safely in Dubai, you must understand what is Salik in Dubai and how do you use it. If you have ever driven across the UAE, you must have seen a Salik gate. It is an automated toll system in the city, which facilitates traffic control and road maintenance. The government launched the Salik system in July 2007 to improve the city’s road networks.
Whether you are a tourist, an expat, or a resident in the UAE, this guide will help you understand Salik, its mechanism, location, and operating hours. We will deeply understand the critical importance of regularly checking and updating your Salik balance to ensure a smooth, hassle-free travel experience in the city.
What is Salik in Dubai?
Salik is the automatic toll system in Dubai initiated by the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) on July 1st 2007. The purpose of the toll system was to improve traffic flow on Dubai’s main roads.
To register, you can visit the official Salik website and create your account.
Ramadan 2026 Salik Toll Prices
Monday to Saturday:
- Rush hours are 09:00 am to 05:00 pm; toll rate is AED 6.
- Non-rush hours are 07:00 am until 09:00 am and 05:00 pm until 02:00 am, with a toll rate of AED 4.
- 02:00 am until 07:00 am will remain toll-free.
Sunday:
- A toll rate of AED 4 will apply throughout the day.
- 02:00 am until 07:00 am will remain toll-free.
- The same rules apply to Special Occasions and Public Holidays.
How to Purchase a Salik Tag Online?
A salik tag is a sticker that comes with an electronic SIM card placed on your car’s windscreen. It allows toll gates in Dubai to automatically detect your vehicle as you pass through and deduct the balance from your account.
Getting a Salik Dubai Tag is simple. The Road and Transport Authority (RTA) has made the process paperless, which takes only a few minutes to complete.
You can purchase, register, and activate new Salik Tags online either through Salik’s Official website or the Smart Salik App – one of the top apps for drivers in Dubai.
Information Required When Purchasing a Salik Tag in Dubai
When you are purchasing a Salik Tag via the Salik website or an authorized dealer, you will need to provide the following:
- Registration card of the vehicle
- Traffic file number
- Mobile phone number
- Other information, as per the terms and procedures on the Smart Salik App or the Salik Website.
Once you provide all the required information, you will receive an SMS confirming the successful activation or registration of your Salik Tag.
Visit the official Dubai Salik website to buy a new tag. You can also purchase a Sali tag from fuel stations in Dubai. Once you get the new sticker, you can deactivate the Salik tag online to complete the process.
Know Where the Salik Toll Gates are
Salik toll gates are across all major highways and bridges in Dubai. After the addition of two new toll gates in 2024, there are now a total of ten Dubai Salik gates.
These are as follows:
- Jebel Ali (Sheik Zayed Road)
- Al Garhoud Bridge (Sheik Zayed Road)
- Al Barsha (Sheik Zayed Road)
- Al Safa North Gate (Sheik Zayed Road)
- Al Mamzar South (Al Ittihad Road)
- Al Mamzar North (AL Ittihad Road)
- Airport Tunnel (Beirut Street)
- Al Maktoum Bridge (Umm Hurair Road)
- Business Bay Crossing (AL Khalil Road)
- Al Safa South Gate (Between Al Meydan Street and Umm Al Sheif Street)
Al Safa South Gate is designed to operate alongside the existing Al Safa North Gate. It allows the drivers to pay only AED 4 if they pass through both gates within one hour while traveling in the same direction. This rule also applies to the toll systems at Al Mamzar South and North.
Salik Gate Locations and Fees in Dubai
Here is the complete list of Salik locations in Dubai along with their fees.
| Salik Gate | Toll Gate Location | Salik Cost | Salik Timings |
| Jebel Ali Salik Gate | Sheik Zayed Road | AED 4 | 24 hours |
| Al Safa North Salik Gate | Sheik Zayed Road | AED 4 | 24 hours |
| Al Safa South Salik Gate | Sheik Zayed Road | AED 4 | 24 hours |
| Al Barsha Salik Gate | Sheik Zayed Road | AED 4 | 24 hours |
| Al Garhoud Salik Gate | Al Garhoud Bridge | AED 4 | 24 hours |
| Al Maktoum Salik Gate | Al Maktoum Bridge | AED 4 | 24 hours |
| Airport Tunnel Salik Gate | Beirut Street | AED 4 | 24 hours |
| Al Mamzar South Salik Gate | Al Ittihad Street | AED 4 | 24 hours |
| Al Mamzar North Salik Gate | Al Ittihad Street | AED 4 | 24 hours |
| Business Bay Crossing Salik Gate | Al Khalil Road | AED 4 | 24 hours |
What are the Charges of Salik in Dubai?
Each Salik Dubai Toll Gate deducts AED 4 every time you cross it, no matter how many times you pass through it within a day.
However, the Al Mamzar gates on Al Safa and the Al Ittihad Street gates on Sheik Zayed Road are exceptions. If you pass through both Al Mamzar gates within one hour in the same direction, you will be charged AED 4 only once. Similarly, when you pass through the Al Maktoum Toll Gate from Monday to Friday, from 10:00pm until 06:00 am. Saturday from 10:00 pm until Monday at 06:00 am.
Increase in Salik Toll Charges From January 31 2025
Dubai vehicle owners will pay an increased amount of AED 6 AED 4 to go through Dubai’s Salik Tolls during peak hours. This increase in charges took effect on January 31st 2025.
AED 6 charges would apply during peak hours
These include:
- 06:00 am – 10:00 am
- 04:00 pm – 08:00 pm
- Off-peak charges apply from 10:00 am until 04:00 pm and from 08:00 pm until 01:00 am, at AED 4.
- From 01:00 am to 06:00 am, Salik will be free.
- Salik will be free from 01:00 am to 06:00 am.
- Salik fee will be AED 4 on Sundays, except special occasions, public holidays, or as announced by the RTA Dubai.
Timings During Ramadan
Dubai Salik Toll prices will remain the same during Ramadan. However, the rush-hour timing will be different.
- During Ramadan, peak-hour fares of AED 6 will be charged between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM.
- During Ramadan, the reduced off-peak fare of AED 4 applies from 5:00 PM to 2:00 AM and in the morning from 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM.
- There will be no charges on Salik Toll Gates between 02:00 am and 07:00 am during Ramadan.
Offline Purchase of Salik Tag in Dubai
You can get a new Salik tag at petrol stations for AED 100 (Emarat, ENOC, ADNOC, and EPPCO). This includes:
- Salik tag: AED 50
- Prepaid toll credit: AED 50
Online Purchase of Salik Tag in Dubai
The online price of a Salik tag in Dubai is AED 10. This includes:
- Prepaid toll card: AED 50
- Salik tag: AED 50
- Delivery: AED 20
There is no need to activate a tag bought online, as it is already activated.
The Process to Pay the Dubai Salik Toll Gate Fee
To pay the Salik toll gate fee in Dubai, you must get registered with Salik. Top up your Salik account through the RTA app. The Salik gates will automatically scan your vehicle and deduct the toll from your account.
The toll gates are equipped with the latest cameras and sensors to detect your vehicle. The process is smooth and lets you pay the fees without slowing or stopping your car.
Which Documents are Needed to Activate a Salik Account?
You need the following documents to activate a new Salik Account:
- Emirates ID
- A copy of the trade license (if your car is registered under a company)
- Front and back copy of the car registration card (mulkiya)
What are the Penalties of Violations of Salik Regulations in Dubai?
If you pass through a Salik toll gate with insufficient balance in your account, you are given 5 days to recharge your RTA Dubai Salik account and pay the charges. If you fail to pay within the given time, you may incur a fine of AED 50.
Moreover, if you pass through any gate and have not registered your plate, you have 10 days to complete the process. Violation can cost:
- AED 100 for the first trip
- AED 200 for the second trip
- AED 400 for every trip afterward
How to Recharge a Salik Account?
Here are a few ways to recharge your account:
- Through the app or website of Salik with your credit card
- Salik call centers
- Auto top-ups at your bank
- Through the Salik recharge card
- Kiosk machines (for cash payments)
- Cash deposit machines (Emirates NBD and DIB)
You also need to provide the following documents for recharging:
- Mobile number registered with Salik and the plate number of your vehicle
- Salik tag number plate number of the vehicle
- PIN code and Salik account number
Conclusion
What is Salik in Dubai, and how do you use it? It is an electronic toll system in Dubai that allows you to pass through designated gates without stopping, using a prepaid account linked to a small tag on your car. You can get the tag on the Salik website or in the Salik smart app and activate it. Once you have registered and activated the tag, the system automatically charges your account when you pass through the gates. The process is pretty simple, quick, and hassle-free.
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