Salik Dubai: Gates, Timings, & Everything You Need to Know

Dubai is famous for its advanced systems, modern architecture, new technology, and well-constructed road networks. The Salik Dubai toll system is one such system that aids in relieving traffic around the emirate. This system is crucial whether you are a resident, tourist, or a frequent traveler to Dubai. It electronically controls the flow of traffic using toll gates, which is popularly known as Salik, meaning ‘clear and moving’ in Arabic. These gates allow the residents of the emirate to move freely without hassle.

Salik was launched on July 1, 2007, and since then, the Road and Transport Authority (RTA) Dubai has constantly worked toward improving the system and the services offered. Users can effortlessly manage system recharges and payments through available online and offline options. This article will help you answer some common misleading queries about the inner workings of Salik.

What is Salik Dubai?

Through toll-free movement of vehicles, Salik ensures improved traffic management. Instead of paying at the booths, vehicle users will now have the benefits of a more modern approach. As the vehicles pass under the Salik Dubai Gates, the integrated prepaid account system will automatically deduct the fees.

Ever since its launching in July 2007, the Salik system has improved the road networks of the city. Over the years, Salik App and the system itself has been and continues to be, one of the most important components of Dubai's transport infrastructure. With the expansion of the city and the increase in the number of vehicles, a more advanced and sophisticated tolling system was evidently required. The RTA took a major leap in 2025 by revamping the entire system, replacing it with a single variable price system with longer free periods and offering bonuses to electric vehicle (EV) owners. These alterations facilitate more efficient use of the roads, while also contributing to Dubai’s goal of achieving sustainability and smart city solutions, and creating a strong craving among investors across the globe to invest in Dubai Properties.

Salik Toll Gates in Dubai

In Dubai, Salik toll gates have been installed on strategic areas of the roads and bridges to help with traffic management. The gates make seamless movement between the crucial business districts and other commercial and residential areas of Dubai. There are now 10 gate systems in Dubai, the most recent being at Al Khail Road Business Bay Crossing, and at Sheikh Zayed Road Al Safa South.

Given below is the list of 10 Salik Gates:

•    Jebel Ali (Sheikh Zayed Road), 30 mins driving distance from Al Mankhool Dubai
•    Al Mamzar South (Al Ittihad Road)
•    Al Mamzar North (Al Ittihad Road)
•    Al Safa North Gate (Sheikh Zayed Road)
•    Airport Tunnel (Beirut Street)
•    Al Barsha (Sheikh Zayed Road)
•    Al Garhoud Bridge (Sheikh Zayed Road)
•    Al Maktoum Bridge (Umm Hurair Road), which is situated at a 12 minutes driving distance from Downtown Dubai
•    Business Bay Crossing (Al Khail Road)
•    Al Safa South Gate (Sheikh Zayed Road between Al Meydan Street and Umm Al Sheif Street)

Let us have a look at the Dubai Salik Timing and Fess on Normal & Special Days 

Variable Road Toll Pricing system was implemented by the RTA in Dubai starting January 2025. Considering traffic congestion, these tolls seek to reduce traffic woes by optimizing prices based on the time of the day. In Dubai, a common inquiry made by travelers is whether Salik is chargeable during Eid holidays.

The answer is provided typically in relation to RTAs announcements in regard to Salik. Salik gates generally remain open on Eid holidays, but, in very rare instances some special benefits are announced for festive periods or for other government mandated public holidays. 

A money saver tip for Drivers: 

An important piece of news for travelers: Travelers passing in one direction through Al Mamzar North and South gates or Al Safa North and South gates within one hour interval will incur only a single charge.

Salik Gates	Salik Gate Location	Timings
Al Barsha	Sheikh Zayed Road	24 hours
Al Garhoud	Al Garhoud Bridge	24 hours
Jebel Ali	Sheikh Zayed Road	24 hours
Al Safa	Sheikh Zayed Road	24 hours
Airport Tunnel	Beirut Street	24 hours
Al Mamzar North and South	Al Ittihad Street	24 hours
Al Maktoum	Al Maktoum Bridge	24 hours but free from 10:00 PM – 6:00 AM   (Thursday – Saturday)

Source: As data obtained from different websites and salik.ae, however these may change as per the RTA announcements 

Salik Registration and Steps to Apply for Salik Registration

In order to enroll for a Salik tag in Dubai, you first must complete an Online RTA Salik registration form. The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has made this process user friendly for all car owners. To register for Salik online, you can go through the many websites, customer relations centers, or authorized vendors in Dubai. The registration process is very simple, whether you complete Salik registration online or go in person at a center.

Steps to Apply for Salik Tag Registration:

·         Choose your trusted registration channel (online, app, or in-person).

·         Gather all necessary documents, including your vehicle’s registration details and Emirates ID.

·         Fill out the required form with accurate details about the vehicle owner and the car.

·         Select your payment method to pay the tag fee and future toll charges. You can use a credit card for online applications or cash at service centers.

·          Submit your application and await confirmation. Once confirmed, you will receive your Salik tag.

 

What is a Salik Tag and Process of Salik Tag Activation? 

This is a small sticker tag placed on the car so that the toll gates can automatically identify the user's card and deduct the charges without the user’s intervention. Place the tag on your windshield at a position 1 cm below your rearview mirror. As you pass the toll gate, your tag is detected and the specified fee will be credited against your Salik account. 

It reduces the amount of traffic on the highways and major roads to ensure easier access for public forms of transport, which is also one of the objectives of the Government. Drivers have to go through a Salik Tag Activation process when they want to start using the Salik service after purchasing the Salik tag. 

Documents Required for Salik Tag Activation

Since you are interested in investing in International Real Estate market of Dubai, you must be prepared and aware about adding your vehicle to the Salik Account. Let us go through the documentation process and required process for RTA Salik Tag Activation: 

•    Salik tag number
•    Activation key of Salik tag
•    Registered mobile number
•    Vehicle registration card details (Only for the vehicle registered outside the UAE or other emirates)

Means to Apply for Salik Tag Activation

You can use any of the following channels to apply for the Salik Dubai Tag: 

•    Salik Website and https://www.salik.ae/ or Salik App 
•    Dubai Drive application
•    Dubai Now mobile application
•    Customer Happiness Centre in Umm Ramool and Deira

Cost of Salik in Dubai with New Effective Charges 

With the increasing demand of Off Plan Dubai properties, it is most likely that the investors and buyers and even the residents of Dubai are expanding themselves in terms of facilities that also includes use of own and commercial vehicles. Since you are using vehicle in Dubai, you need to be well aware about the Cost of Salik and new changes. The price of Salik differs depending on your route of purchase. Purchasing from any RTA endorsed location will cost AED 100. The cost of Salik tag is AED 50 bringing the total to AED 100 and you will also receive AED 50 to your account. The only change is if you buy it from Dubai online, the price increases to AED 120. This includes AED 50 for the tag, AED 50 as prepaid balance, and AED 20 delivery fee since it is sent to your location. 

For each gate that you pass at every Salik Toll Gates, you will be charged AED 4 no matter how many times you cross the gates within that day. But some of the gates are an exception like the Al Safa gates on Sheikh Zayed Road and the Al Ittihad Street Al Mamzar toll gates. 

Traveling through the Al Mamzar gates in the same direction will only charge AED 4 once if you cross both gates within 1 hour. The same is applicable for Al Safa South and North gates crossing the gates in the same direction within an hour results in AED 4 being deducted from your Salik account. 

Online Purchase

•    Total cost:  AED 120
•    Salik tag price: AED 50 
•    Prepaid toll credit: AED 50
•    Delivery fee:  AED 20

Offline Purchase

•    Total cost: AED 100
•    Salik tag: AED  50 
•    Prepaid toll credit: AED 50 (activated during registration)

Services offered by official Salik App and Website 

Listed below are some of the popular services offered by the Salik Dubai: 

•    Salik Tag Purchase
•    Recharge a Salik Account
•    Register and Activate a Salik Tag
•    Add a New Vehicle to Salik Account
•    Amend Salik Account Data
•    Exemption from Salik Fees
•    Disputing Salik Violations
•    Removing a Vehicle from Salik Account
•    Salik Monthly Account Statement
•    Pay Salik Fines

Fines & Penalties for Violating Salik Rules in Dubai

There are some transgressions that can lead to penalties when dealing with Salik. Here are a few of them together with their fines. 

•    If you cross an entry point without having the required balance, you will be fined AED 50.
•    If you use a tag that has not been registered while going through the gate, you will be fined AED 100 for the first offense, AED 200 for the second, and AED 400 for every subsequent offense.
•    With continued violation of Salik rules, penalties, which can be greater than AED 400 are imposed.
•    A fine of AED 200 will be imposed on any use of a tag that is altered or broken.

To Wrap Up

The changes made to Salik Dubai for the year 2025 marks a significant milestone towards the improvement of the Integrated Public Transport System in Dubai. The RTA's system of variable tall charging, extension of tall free hours, introduction of new toll gates, free Salik tags for electric vehicles, and flexible parking tariff system demonstrate the RTA's commitment towards better traffic management, increasing public transport affordability, and more importantly, enhancing environmentally friendly movement across the city. 

However, remember that rules and procedures can change over time so it is always advised to visit the official Salik site or RTA customers’ service for changes, if any.