Blogs
05 May 2025
Are you a new in Abu Dhabi or plan on driving in and out of the city? If so, then one of the first things you need to take care of is registering for the Darb toll system—Abu Dhabi's version of the Dubai Salik. Neglecting this step can make your daily commute a nightmare of fines and red tape.
Here we cover everything you need to know about Abu Dhabi Salik Registration requirements.
You often hear the word Salik in Abu Dhabi but it’s associate to Dubai while Abu Dhabi has its own toll system called Darb. Darb is an electronic toll collection system launched in 2021 by Integrated Transport Centre (ITC) under the Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT) to regulate traffic and reduce congestion in high-density areas.
Darb toll gates are placed at the key bridges leading in and out of Abu Dhabi Island:
Unlike Dubai's toll system which charges every time you pass a gate, Darb only charges during peak hours.
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Moving to Abu Dhabi? Don’t forget to register with Darb to steer clear of future headaches. Although same applies to other emirate states and cities as well such as Dubai or Sharjah but frequently drive into Abu Dhabi, as all vehicles passing through the city’s toll gates must be registered. This rule also includes GCC nationals and expats with private vehicles, regardless of where the car is registered. Essentially, any driver using Abu Dhabi’s toll roads must ensure their vehicle is properly added to the Darb system to avoid fines. It is essential to comply whether your vehicle is registered in Abu Dhabi or another emirate in order to ensure a smooth and penalty-free journey.
To successfully register for the Darb toll system, make sure you have the following:
1. Valid Emirates ID
A valid UAE Emirates ID is mandatory. This serves as your unique identification in the Darb system. You’ll use this ID to set up your personal account and manage your vehicles.
Tip: Make sure your Emirates ID is active and updated in the system. You cannot register without it.
2. Vehicle Registration Details
You will need to provide:
If your vehicle is registered in another emirate, it still needs to be added manually to your Darb account.
3. UAE Mobile Number
A valid UAE phone number is required to:
Make sure your mobile number is registered under your name.
4. Email Address
You must provide a working email address to complete the registration process. All official communication, password resets, and account verifications are sent here.
5. Darb Account Creation
You can register using either:
Once registered, you'll create a user profile and add your vehicles to your account.
6. Top-Up Method (Payment)
After registering, you’ll need to add funds to your Darb wallet to ensure smooth toll payments. You can use:
Tip: Enable auto top-up to avoid fines for insufficient balance.
Darb fees are AED 4 per toll gate crossing, but only during peak hours:
Each vehicle is charged once per peak period per direction, even if you cross multiple gates.
If you pass through a Darb toll gate without Abu Dhabi Salik Registration, you could face the following fines:
|
Offense |
Fine Amount |
|
First Violation |
AED 100 |
|
Second Violation |
AED 200 |
|
Third Violation |
AED 400 |
|
Continuing Violation |
Up to AED 10,000 |
Your vehicle may also be blacklisted or impounded if violations accumulate.
After the successful Abu Dhabi Salik Registration of your vehicle in the Darb system the next step is to manage your account efficiently to avoid unnecessary toll charges or fines. Here are some helpful tips tailored for new residents navigating Abu Dhabi’s Road toll system for the first time.
You can download the Darb mobile app once done with the vehicle registration with Darb. It is available on both Android and iOS platforms. The app serves as your all-in-one control center to track toll gate crossings that allows you to monitor your account balance and receive alerts about low funds or violations. It also provides a clear history of your transactions, so you always know where and when toll fees were incurred. You can also enable your push notifications that ensures you to get instant updates on any toll activity linked to your account.
If you sell or purchase a new car you must log into your Abu Dhabi Salik Registration account and update those changes. This can also apply if you change your vehicle’s registration details such as transferring it to another emirate. Fail to do so may result in toll charges being assigned to a vehicle you no longer own or in worst case scenario you may receive fines for a vehicle that is no longer under your responsibility. To update your account is not only important to maintain your accuracy but also good for compliance with local transport regulations.
Enable auto-recharge in your Darb account to simplify your toll payment process to get maximum benefit. This feature allows your account balance to be automatically topped up when it falls below a certain threshold. It ensures that you never cross a toll gate with insufficient funds. You can customize the recharge amount and threshold to suit your needs and link it to your debit or credit card for seamless transactions. It’s a convenient, set-it-and-forget-it way to stay ahead of toll charges without having to log in every time.
Another efficient yet easiest way to save your money on toll charges is to avoid traveling during peak hours. Darb tolls only apply during specific time slots: 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM, and 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, from Monday to Saturday. Sundays and public holidays are toll-free. If your schedule allows, try adjusting your commute or travel plans to steer clear of these peak times. Also, traveling just 30 minutes earlier or later could significantly reduce your monthly toll expenses.
New drivers in Abu Dhabi can breeze through tolls more efficiently and affordably by applying these combined tips. Staying informed and proactive will help you avoid fines and make your driving experience much more efficient.
Abu Dhabi Salik Registration for the Darb toll system is a legal requirement and a smart move for new Abu Dhabi residents who plan to drive. With just a few documents and a quick online process, you can avoid unnecessary penalties and ensure smooth travels throughout the capital.
Start your Abu Dhabi Salik Registration today via the official Darb portal or the mobile app, and take one more step toward becoming a confident, rule-abiding driver in the UAE.
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