Salik, meaning open or clear, is Dubai’s new electronic toll collection system to be launched in July 2007, which emphasizes the system’s congestion management objectives as well as the choice of technology for the toll system.
Salik utilizes the latest technology to achieve free flow operation with no toll booths, no toll collectors, and no impact to traffic flow, allowing vehicles to move freely through the tolling point at highway speeds. Each time you pass through a Salik tolling point, the toll of AED 4 will be deducted from your prepaid toll account using advanced Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology.
About Salik Tag
Salik tag represents the latest generation technology in tolling, operates with no battery or moving parts, and it should last the life of your windshield.
It works in all weather conditions and speeds, and provides highly accurate and reliable identification of your vehicle to the system.
Your Salik tag must be affixed to your windshield to operate properly and cannot be removed from your vehicle windshield without damaging the tag.
How Salik Works?
Salik is a free flow tolling system without toll booths, barriers, or gates, allowing traffic to move freely through the tolling point at highway speeds.
There will be two tolling points: Al Garhoud Bridge and Sheikh Zayed Road near Mall of the Emirates. Each time you pass through a Salik tolling point, the toll of AED4 will be deducted from your prepaid toll account using the latest in Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology.
Your vehicle will be identified to the system through communication with the small, thin Salik sticker tag affixed to your windshield.
Where are the Salik Toll Points? (Salik Gates)
There will be two tolling points: Al Garhoud Bridge and Sheikh Zayed Road near Mall of the Emirates. Each time you pass through a Salik tolling point, the toll of AED4 will be deducted from your prepaid toll account using the latest in Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology.
Garhoud Bridge Location
Mall of the Emirates Location
Salik Fees? (Salik Pricing / Salik Charges)
1. AED 4 -> All type of vehicles
2. AED 50 -> Card & Subscription
3. AED 50 -> Card replacement fee
4. AED 10 -> Card cancellation fee
5. AED 50 -> Transfere of card
What is the fine if you dont use Salik Tag? (Salik Fines)
1. AED 100 -> Failure to display the card on vehicles
2. AED 200 -> Repeat of same offence
3. AED 400 -> Third time same offence
4. AED 50 -> Insufficient credit in the card
6. AED 10,000 -> Manipulating or Cheating
7. AED 10 -> Delay in paying fines per month
8. AED 100 -> Use of tariff gates by unauthorised vehicles
FAQs About Salik Road Toll System
What is a Salik tag? A Salik tag is a sticker with an electronic chip readable by scanners installed at the toll gates using Radio Frequency Identification technology. It works in all weather conditions and speeds, and provides accurate and reliable identification of your vehicle.
Where can I buy a Salik tag? You can buy a Salik tag and open a Salik account at all branches of Dubai Islamic Bank and Emirates Bank in addition to Epco, Enoc and Emarat petrol stations in Dubai.
How does Salik work? Motorists will not have to stop to pay the toll. They will have to purchase pre-paid cards and the fix machine-readable-stickers on the vehicle’s front windshield. Toll charges will be deducted from their cards every time they pass under the electronic gates fitted with scanners.
Where are the toll gates located and how much is the toll fee? Motorists crossing Al Garhoud Bridge or entering Shaikh Zayed Road from Fourth Interchange will be charged Dh4 per entry.
What is your Salik account? Your Salik tag helps the system to identify you and is associated with your personal Salik account. Your Salik account is created when you buy a Salik tag. You must provide information about yourself and your vehicle to open your prepaid account and properly pay your tolls. Simply having a tag on your windshield is not enough and may result in a fine if your tag is not registered to your account.
How do I open a Salik account? To open a Salik account you should provide a completed application when you purchase your tag. These applications are available at retail outlets or can be downloaded from the Salik website. Your account number will be sent to you via SMS when your application is processed. You will need to provide a copy of your car registration at the time of submitting an application.
Do I need to fill out an application form? Yes, when first opening your account you will be required to provide information including your personal details as well as a copy of your car registration.
What happens if I do not have a Salik tag but use toll gates? Ideally, you should get and install a tag prior to travelling through the Salik zones or take an alternate route to avoid fines. You will be fined Dh100 for not having a Salik tag. But there is no need to panic, as you can still have your fine waived if you open a Salik account and affix a Salik tag within two days of committing the violation.
What happens if I don’t have enough credit in my account? You will receive an SMS as a reminder and you should top up your account. There are various methods to top up the account, including the web, participating banks or petrol stations.
Can I drive through the toll zone immediately after buying a tag? Yes, if your tag is purchased and installed properly and an application is submitted or in process, the proper toll will be assessed and no violation will occur.
Will I have a separate account for every tag? No, each account can have multiple tags. However, each account will have one account owner and one associated mobile number for communicating account information.
What if I damage or lose my tag? If your Salik tag gets damaged or lost, the vehicle owner must pay for a new tag to replace it.
Someone else was driving my car at the time of violation. Do I have to pay? Yes, the owner of the vehicle is responsible for any toll violation, regardless of who was driving at the time the violation occurred.
How do I manage my Salik account? You may access your account online at www.salik.ae or call the Salik customer service centre at 800 SALIK (72545). You can use ATMs at selected banks to top up your account or get a balance enquiry. Top ups can also be done online with a credit or debit card. Your account balance can be requested via SMS.
Are there any off or peak hours? No, there are no off or peak hours. Salik will be operational round the clock.
What if I sell my vehicle? Call 800 SALIK (7545) to deactivate your Salik tag from the vehicle you plan to sell. Remove the tag from the windshield when you sell your vehicle. If you buy a new vehicle, contact the Salik customer service centre to purchase a new tag or buy one at a retail location.
Who is exempt from toll charges? Public transport buses, school buses, ambulances, police and army vehicles will be exempt from the toll.
What if I have more than one vehicle? You can open an account in your name and buy tags under that account. You can buy tags for all your vehicles, but they will be charged to one account. You can add as many tags as you want to your account.
Is there a maximum amount that can be charged in a day? Yes, there will be a maximum charge of Dh24 for each car for unlimited crossings per day.
What happens if I get a fine for not having enough credit in my account? If you have a Salik tag on the windshield and pass through the toll gate without having enough credit, you will be fined Dh50. But the fine will be waived if you replenish your account within two days.
What If I am driving to Dubai from other emirates or other countries and do not have a Salik tag? You will see signs warning you about toll gates on the roads leading to toll zones. It is advisable to stop at the nearest petrol station and buy a Salik tag and register to open an account. But if you do not have time, you can just use the road and your fine will be waived if you register for Salik within two days.
What if my company has many vehicles? Companies or individuals who have more than one vehicle do not require separate Salik accounts for each vehicle. They can open one account in their name and can get separate tags for all their vehicles working under the same account.
Will passengers in taxis pay the toll? Yes, taxis are not exempt from the toll and the passenger travelling through the toll controlled area will be charged Dh4 with the taxi fare. However, passengers will have the option to opt for the Salik route or alternative routes.
What happens if you drive a rental car? Rental car companies will be able to check through the website whether the person who rented a car used a toll gate and they will be charged accordingly.
Can I use sections of the road between the toll gates without being charged the Dh4? Yes. You will be charged only if you pass through a toll gate. If you use part of the road, entering and exiting without going through the toll gates, you will not be charged.
How long can I use the credit in my Salik account? There is no limit. You can use money credited to your Salik account until you run out of credit. There is no time limit.
How to Avoide Salik Toll Gates
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Five alternative (and cheaper) routes to get to Dubai Media City from Deira, Rashidiya and Sharjah.
Starting off from the Deira and Hor Al Anz area, this route will take you through Shindagha tunnel, passing through Al Mina and ending up in Al Diyafah. At this point, you can either take Al Wasl Road or Jumeirah Beach road. This route will take you straight to Dubai Marina avoiding the Salik toll gate, or you can take Al Diyafah Road to get onto Shaikh Zayed Road.
Coming from Sharjah on the Dubai-Sharjah highway, this route will take you to Maktoum Bridge by way of Al Ittihad, direct to Shaikh Zayed Road. Alternatively, you could take the floating bridge which will connect you through Oud Metha and rejoin Shaikh Zayed Road. You can then take a right straight to Madinat Jumeirah on the fourth interchange. (The floating bridge will be complete in July.)
Coming from Sharjah by way of Al Qusais, you take the Dubai Airport Tunnel and go straight through Festival City and over Business Bay Bridge. This will take you to Zabeel Road and connects you to Shaikh Zayed Road at the first interchange. You can take a right at the fourth interchange to Madinat Jumeirah or alternatively, you can take the third interchange and get onto Al Wasl Road.
The third alternative route coming from Sharjah is by Emirates Road, all the way through until you get to the Arabian Ranches, after which you take the next right straight to Al Barsha. Just behind the Mall of the Emirates, you can turn left to Al Mafraq Road, that links up to Shaikh Zayed Road, allowing you to avoid both Salik toll gates.
From the areas of Mirdiff and Al Rashidiya, one can take a short ride on Emirates road and turn right to Ras Al Khor road and join Shaikh Zayed Road via the third or fourth interchange. You can either take Shaikh Zayed Road or go across to Al Wasl Road or onto Jumeirah Beach Road.
