Dubai
Are you going to take a road trip around Abu Dhabi? It's a great idea to familiarize yourself with DARB, their local toll gate system first. Understanding how the Abu Dhabi toll gate system works will help you avoid stress and ensure fine-free travel around the city.
DARB, the Abu Dhabi toll gate system, is an electronic checkpoint designed to charge drivers for using certain city roads. The system is aimed at managing traffic flow into the city center.
DARB in Abu Dhabi works differently from Salik in Dubai. Salik in Dubai relies on the RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tags that each vehicle must display when crossing it. DARB uses a more advanced technology - automatic number plate recognition (ANPR). Cameras scan the vehicle’s number plate after which a fee is automatically deducted from the driver’s digital wallet.
The busiest hours fall on the periods between 7:00 am and 9:00 am and 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm, on weekdays and Saturdays. Outside of these hours, as well as on Sundays and public holidays, entering the city is free.
The DARB system comprises four toll gates located on the key bridges entering and exiting the city:
The fee for crossing a DARB toll gate during the peak hours from Monday to Saturday is AED 4, with a maximum limit of AED 16 per day per vehicle.
Step 1: Prepare the necessary personal information. It includes your Emirates ID, your car’s number plate details, an active cell phone number, an active email address, and your credit or debit card details.
Step 2: Go to the DARB website and under the “Create New Account” section choose “Individual”.
Step 3: Add your email address. The system sends you an OTP (One Time Password) which you need to enter.
Step 4: Fill out all the information required, including the emirate where your vehicle is registered and the UAE traffic code number.
Step 5: Add your registered mobile phone number. You’ll get an OTP (One Time Password) again. Enter it, create your own password, and complete the registration.
You can register your vehicle through the Darb official mobile app too. It is available on App Store, AppGallery, and Google Play.
If you have already created a DARB account before but never used it, all you need is to log in and activate it. In case you don’t remember your password, reset it by clicking “Forgot password?” and follow the further instructions.
You can top up your virtual wallet through both the DARB website and mobile app.
All you need to do is to timely top up and recharge your virtual DARB wallet. The fee is automatically deducted from it whenever you cross any of the Abu Dhabi toll gates.
Information about the fines is displayed in your DARB account.
You can prevent DARB fines by following these rules:
Using the toll gates during off-peak hours, on Sundays, and on official holidays remains free of charge.
Categories that are not required to pay the DARB fee:
If your vehicle is registered in Abu Dhabi, the system will automatically exempt it from paying tolls.
If your vehicle is registered in another emirate but you are eligible for an exemption, follow these steps:
Only one vehicle can be exempt from paying the DARB fee.
If for some reason you passed through any of the toll gates in Abu Dhabi with a previously unregistered vehicle, you have 10 days of a grace period to do it. If you ignore this rule, it will lead to:
You contact DARB in Abu Dhabi via:
You can also visit Darb’s office in Abu Dhabi which is located on Al Khor Street, Rabdan, Abu Dhabi. The working hours are Monday – Thursday, 7:30 am – 3:30 pm, and Fridays: 7:30 am – 12 pm.
On all workdays and Saturdays from 7:00 to 9:00 in the morning and from 5:00 to 7:00 in the evening, the charge rate is AED 4. Other days and times (Sundays and public holidays) are free. A maximum day limit reaches AED 16.
No, Salik tags don’t work in Abu Dhabi. Salik and DARB use different scanning technologies, therefore, instead of buying tags, drivers register their vehicles with the DARB system.
The DARB toll system in Abu Dhabi works differently from Salik in Dubai. You don’t need to buy a tag and stick it to the windshield. Register your vehicle with the DARB system instead. DARB recognizes a vehicle by reading its number plate and deducts charges from your wallet based on it.
If you are planning a trip from Abu Dhabi to Dubai and want to buy a Salik tag in advance, apply online at salik.ae or visit any Salik Customer Service Center. The Salik fee is the same as the Darb fee, which is AED 4.
You can register for the Abu Dgabi toll gate system through the DARB portal or their mobile app. You will need to enter details such as your traffic code number (TCN), license plate number, Emirates ID number, mobile number, and active email address.
Payment happens automatically. When a registered vehicle passes through a gate, the system recognizes its plate number and deducts the fee from your DARB account.
There are three registration options:
No, you don't need separate DARB accounts for each vehicle. You can register and manage multiple vehicles under a single DARB account.
You cannot use a Salik tag in Abu Dhabi. The city uses a different system called DARB to charge vehicles for entering certain areas of the city.
Yes, you can enter Abu Dhabi without paying the DARB toll immediately, but you still have to register your vehicle in the system. There is a 10-day grace period to do it. If you fail to fulfill this requirement, you will be fined.
There are four DARB toll gates located on the key bridges of Abu Dhabi. They serve as entry and exit points to the city.
You need to create a DARB account through their official website or mobile app. After registering, top up your virtual wallet with funds. The charges are deducted automatically from your virtual DARB wallet whenever you pass through a toll gate.
Paying toll fees in Abu Dhabi happens automatically through the DARB system. You just need to ensure sufficient funds in your virtual DARB wallet. You can do it by adding funds to your DARB account through their official website or mobile app using a credit or debit card. You can also transfer funds directly to your DARB account through participating banks or make payments or top-ups in person at authorized centers.
