To use Salik, you must purchase a new Salik tag that has to be installed on your car’s windscreen. Whether you're new to Dubai or simply driving through, knowing where and how to buy Salik tag (and how to use it) will make your journeys smoother and more efficient.
A Salik tag is a prepaid electronic device used to pay tolls automatically on Dubai’s roads without requiring you to stop. It’s a small Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) sticker that you attach to the front windshield of your vehicle.
Here’s how this tag works
You will find 8 Salik toll gates in Dubai, located on all the major highways and bridges —
Dubai Salik Gate | Toll Gate Location |
---|---|
Airport Tunnel | Beirut Street |
Al Garhoud Gate | Al Garhoud Bridge |
Jebel Ali | Sheikh Zayed Road |
Al Barsha | Sheikh Zayed Road |
Al Maktoum | Al Maktoum Bridge |
Al Mamzar South Gate | Al Ittihad Street |
Al Mamzar North Gate | Al Ittihad Street |
Al Safa | Sheikh Zayed Road |
Important: The two Al Mamzar tolls on Al Ittihad are counted as a single toll point.
So, if you travel in the same direction within a short period, you'll be charged only once.
Latest Salik Update! As per reports, Dubai will have 10 Salik toll gates by November 2024. You can soon find these new gates at the following locations —
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Having understood how it works, let’s see how to buy Salik tag.
To get this tag, you have two main options: purchase it online through the RTA portal or buy it in person from an authorised dealer.
The easiest way to get a new Salik tag is to purchase it online.
This allows you to order the tag from the comfort of your home with minimal effort. Also, the processing time is approximately 5 minutes and your tag will be delivered to your specified address.
You need to simply follow these steps —
If you prefer to purchase your new Salik tag in person, you can visit any RTA-authorised dealer, including various gas stations and banks. All you need to do is fill out a registration form and submit a photocopy of your car registration.
Here’s how to do it —
The cost of acquiring a Salik Tag varies depending on the purchase method —
To buy Salik tag online or offline, keep the following list of documents prepared —
The Salik tag automatically deducts AED 4 each time you pass through a Salik gate.
To ensure you never face fines for insufficient balance, it’s essential to keep your Salik account topped up.
Here are several convenient options available to recharge your new Salik tag —
You can purchase Salik recharge cards and vouchers from various locations, including petrol stations, grocery stores, and supermarkets.
You can recharge these cards via:
You can easily recharge your Salik account at various banks and Salik counters throughout Dubai. Many banks also offer the convenience of topping up your Salik account through their online banking platforms and mobile apps.
The RTA’s Salik smartphone app simplifies the recharge process. Download the app to easily add funds to your account directly from your mobile device.
You can use the e-Pay service on the Salik website to top up your account using a credit card. This method is quick and allows for immediate account updates.
You can also use the RTA website to recharge your Salik account. This option allows you to manage your account online and ensure your balance is always sufficient.
✍️Take Note: If you don’t recharge your account within 5 days after passing through a toll gate with a low balance, you may incur a fine as high as AED 400. Regularly check your Salik balance to avoid any penalties and keep your account in good standing. |
You can purchase Salik tags either online from Salik’s official website or at gas stations or banks by showing an ID.
Emarat, EPPCO, ENOC, and ADNOC are the petrol stations where you can get your new Salik tag.
No, you cannot use Dubai's Salik toll system without a Salik tag. If you go through a toll gate without a tag, you must buy and register one within 10 working days to avoid penalties.
Yes, you must have a Salik tag displayed on your vehicle. Driving through a Salik toll without a tag may lead to AED 100 fine for the first time and AED 200 for more.
No, Salik is not free. While registration with the RTA is free and can be done online or at the RTA counter, you need to pay tolls as you pass.
The toll fee is AED 4 per pass at each Salik gate. This fee applies to each trip through the toll gate with two exceptions: the two Al Mamzar Toll Gates on Al Ittihad Street.