From January 2020, motorists had to pay troll at the entrance gate of Abu Dhabi. But due to the coronavirus pandemic, all vehicles will be exempted from paying toll fees by the end of 2020 regarding the economic instability caused by the pandemic. As 2021 is knocking at the door, let’s know all the information about abu dhabi toll gate.
What Is a Toll Gate Or Salik?
A tollgate a toll receiving gate at the entrance of a city. If you want to pass that gate, you will have to pay a certain amount of money. In the United Arab Emirates, toll gates are also referred to “Salik” which means open and clear. It’s mainly a digitalised toll gate system where you do not have to stop and pay your toll fees. You could pass the gate without any problem if you stuck a valid Salik tag on your windshield.
How Does It Work?
When you register for salik Abu Dhabi, you will get a Salik tag. You have to stick the sticker in the windshield of your car. That sticker is connected to your Salik account. Note that you will have to pay the Salik before you hit the road. Be sure that you have enough money in your account to cover your Salik charge.
When you cross the Salik toll gate, a radio frequency identification machine will detect your tag and scan it. In this process, automatically, AED 4 will be deducted from your toll account.
The process happens so fast that you don’t need to stop or even slow your car. Follow the speed limit of the road as guided by the road signs. This technology allows you to move without any problems. You will not have to stop on road berries or at toll booths to pay the fees.
History Of Salik In The United Arab Emirates:
Salik was firstly introduced at the Dubai entrance in 2007. In 2018 President of United Arab Emirates Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan announced the introduction of toll gates. Toll gates of Abu Dhabi are similar to Dubai toll gates or Salik, but they are individual from each other.
Toll gates are initiated and monitored by the Department of Transport of UAE. Four toll gates were positioned at the entrance of Abu Dhabi. And the gates were activated on October 15, 2019. From mid-October 2019, it was an operational trial and free of cost.
From 2nd January 2020, the toll system started officially. But due to the coronavirus pandemic, the government postponed the system till 2021 because of an unstable economic situation.
What’s The Reason Behind Dubai Toll Gates?
Abu Dhabi is the capital of the United Arab Emirates. As a centre of business and the officials, Abu Dhabi becomes very busy going and leaving hours in the office. To remove the congestion during the busy hours,’ the Department of Transport introduced toll gates. If you are wondering how this will help the congestion, remember that Abu Dhabi is a city of rich people, and they all have personal vehicles.
But, if everyone comes out with their car, that will create a big messy situation. UAE government wanted to encourage them to use public transport. As there is no toll fee for public transportation, more people will choose public busses. It also helps the environment as fewer cars will produce less carbon dioxide.
The launching Date Of Toll Gates Abu Dhabi:
From January 2021, the toll gate system will start again. Drivers can move freely through the toll gates until then. But drivers must have a registered account and tag stuck on their windshield.
Abu Dhabi Toll Gate Costs:
AED 4 will be charged every time you pass through one of the toll gates during peak times. You will be charged while crossing the gate between 7 am to 9 am and 5 pm to 7 pm.
Peak hours are Saturday to Thursday, 7 am to 9 am and 5 pm to 7 pm. There are no peak hours on public holidays. No problem going for a long drive on weekends.
What if you have to cross the gate many times during peak times? The good thing is a maximum of 16 AED will be charged each day. Drivers who need to pass the entrance multiple times in a day will not be charged more than the daily maximum. If you touch 200 AED in a month, you would not have to pay a toll in that month.
Who Is Exempt From The Toll Fees?
If you fall under the following categories, you will be exempt from the toll fees:
- Motorbikes.
- Public Buses.
- Ambulances.
- Armed force and civil defence.
- Senior Emirates citizens, people of determination, Retirees, Martyr’s family members.
- Licensed Taxi Drivers.
- School buses.
- Electronic cars for two years.
- Trailers.
Locations Of Toll Gates In Abu Dhabi:
There are four routes where you will have to cross an abudhabi toll gate and pay fees.
- Sheikh Khalifa Bridge
- Sheikh Zayed Bridge
- Mussafah Bridge
- Al Maqta Bridge
Can You Avoid Toll Gates?
No, there is 4 entrance to Abu Dhabi, and all the entrance have toll gates. As those toll gates are in the bridge, you can not avoid them without having a flying car! I hope you don’t have that. Even Google Maps does not show the location of toll gates. Trying to avoid citizen rules can cause severe punishment in UAE. The best way to avoid fees is not to pass the gates during peak times. Drivers who temper their license plate to prevent tolls will be fined AED 10,000.
Fines Of The Toll Gate:
In UAE you can’t live without obeying its rules. You will have to pay fines for any sin you have committed. Toll gates of Abu Dhabi are no exception.
If you pass through a toll gate without registering, they will direct you. You have 10 days’ time, within the time, if you do not register, it will result in an AED 100 fine for the first day.
The penalty will double if you do not register on 2 nd day, which means AED 200. The fine will be AED 400, 800, 1600 for the next few days, and the penalty will rise to a maximum AED 10,000. If you pass a gate without sufficient balance in your account, you will have to pay AED 50 after ten days if you didn’t recharge.
Abu Dhabi Toll Gate Registration:
The registration process is pretty straightforward. I am providing the step by step guide to toll gate registration of Abu Dhabi.
Essentials for tollgate registration,
- ID Emirates.
- Personal phone number and email ID.
- The number plate of your car.
- Credit card information..
Step 1: Visit the ITC official website, click on Abu Dhabi toll gate system. In the next page, you will find the “CREATE ACCOUNT” option. Click there.
Step 2: Enter your Emirates ID and Number.
Step 3: Create a password. The password must be at least 8 characters with a capital letter. Provide your phone number.
Step 4: Enter your email ID and phone number. Note that you will receive notifications on your contact number and email. So make sure you provided the right and active ones.
Step 5: Add your vehicle on the next page. Provide vehicle location, plate category, plate number and code and click on ADD.
Step 6: After adding your vehicle, you will get a six-figure OTP code on your phone via SMS. Enter the code on the verification page. After confirming, you will be able to add multiple vehicles on the same account.
Step 7: Click on make payment to pay the registration fees ADE 100. After clicking, provide your card details on the next page and proceed.
After payment, your registration process is completed. Now you can log in to your account and track your account balance, fines and transaction history.
Registering a Company Car Or Commercial Vehicle For Toll Gates:
Step 1: Email to [email protected] attaching the following documents:
- Copy of company trade license.
- A letter from the company which must be stamped and signed, company representative, company email and mobile number and Traffic Code Number.
- List of vehicles in a excel shit that contains license plate number, code, source and category.
Step 2: After sending the mail, the administration will review your documents and send you a validation email.
Step 3: After receiving the confirmation email, transfer the amount mentioned in the email and send it to provided account details.
Step 4: Send the bank receipt to [email protected]. The authority will confirm if you successfully registered.
Step 5: Your information about your new account will be sent via email. You can log in to your account using this information and manage your account.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Is Abu Dhabi toll gate active?
No. Toll gates will be active from January 2021.
Does Abu Dhabi have Salik?
Yes, but it’s currently inactive and will active In January 2021.
How can I check the Abu Dhabi toll balance?
Log in to your toll account; there you will be able to check your toll balance.
Is Abu Dhabi toll gate free on Friday?
Yes, in Fridays and public holidays toll gates will be free.