Dubai's 10-gate electronic toll network
Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and Salik PJSC operate an automated, free-flow electronic toll system designed to redistribute vehicular traffic and ease congestion across major arterial highways.
With the commissioning of the Business Bay Crossing gate on Al Khail Road and the Al Safa South gate on Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai's active toll network spans 10 strategically positioned gantries, utilizing RFID sensor technology and high-speed number plate recognition.
Locations: Business Bay Crossing and Al Safa South
Business Bay Crossing Gate: Positioned on Al Khail Road, this eco-friendly, solar-powered gantry captures heavy transit between Deira, Bur Dubai, and southern commercial districts, encouraging through-traffic to utilize alternative bypass corridors.
Al Safa South Gate: Situated on Sheikh Zayed Road between Al Meydan Street and Umm Al Sheif Street, working in tandem with the established Al Safa North gate to optimize the city's primary coastal thoroughfare.
How the Al Safa 60-minute linked single-toll rule works
To avoid unfair double-charging on motorists navigating adjacent Sheikh Zayed Road exits, Salik enforces an automated linked toll policy between Al Safa North and Al Safa South:
If a vehicle passes through both Al Safa North and Al Safa South traveling in the same direction within 60 minutes, the system charges the driver only once.
However, if you cross one gate and take longer than one hour to pass the second gate, or if you reverse direction, two separate toll deductions will apply.
Dynamic toll pricing: Peak, Off-Peak, Sunday, and Free hours
Salik toll deductions vary depending on the time of day to balance traffic density:
Peak Hours (Monday to Saturday): 6:00 AM to 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM are charged at AED 6.00 (plus 5% VAT = AED 6.30).
Off-Peak Hours (Monday to Saturday): 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM and 8:00 PM to 1:00 AM are charged at AED 4.00 (plus 5% VAT = AED 4.20).
Sundays (Excluding Special Events/Holidays): Charged at a flat rate of AED 4.00 (plus VAT).
Free Night Travel: All 10 Salik gates are completely free between 1:00 AM and 6:00 AM every night.
Managing your tag, recharges, and rental cars
Every vehicle registered in the UAE or driven from other GCC countries must display an activated Salik smart sticker adhered to the upper center of the front windshield behind the rearview mirror:
Account Top-Ups: Recharges can be made via the Salik smart app, Dubai Drive, RTA portal, or SMS banking.
Rental Vehicles: Car rental agencies in Dubai automatically add toll charges plus an administrative service fee (typically AED 5 to AED 6 per crossing) to your final rental invoice.
Low Balance Alerts: An automated SMS notification is dispatched whenever your account falls below AED 20.
Avoiding Salik fines: Insufficient funds and unregistered crossings
Driving through a Salik gate with an insufficient balance gives motorists a 5-day grace period from the crossing date to recharge the account without penalty. If unpaid after 5 days, a fine of AED 50 per day is incurred.
Driving through without an active Salik tag grants a 10-working-day grace period to purchase and register a tag. If uncorrected, escalating fines apply: AED 100 for the first crossing, AED 200 for the second, and AED 400 for each subsequent crossing.