With Abu Dhabi’s growing population and expanding road network, efficient traffic management has become a priority for the emirate. To keep commuting smooth and travel times predictable, the emirate has introduced the DARB toll gate system, an advanced, fully automated tolling solution. Designed to reduce congestion during peak hours, DARB helps manage traffic flow across key bridges while making daily travel safer and more convenient for residents, visitors and daily commuters alike.
Whether you commute daily for work or visit the capital occasionally, understanding how the DARB system works is essential.
Understanding Abu Dhabi Toll Gate System
If you drive into Abu Dhabi every day, you’ve probably noticed toll gates at key bridges entering the city. These checkpoints, officially known as DARB, are Abu Dhabi’s version of Dubai’s Salik system. But unlike Dubai’s tag-based toll, DARB is completely automated and linked to your vehicle’s registration.
The Department of Transport Abu Dhabi launched DARB as a cashless, automated toll system to ease congestion on the city’s busiest bridges and encourage the use of public transport in Abu Dhabi. The system works using number plate recognition technology, meaning you don’t need a physical tag or card to pass through.
Each time your vehicle passes under a DARB toll gate during peak hours, the system automatically deducts a toll from your prepaid DARB wallet.
How the DARB Toll Gate System Works
Unlike Dubai’s Salik system, which requires a tag attached to the vehicle’s windscreen, Abu Dhabi’s toll system operates entirely through number plate recognition.
When your car passes under a toll gate, overhead sensors detect the plate. The system identifies the registered vehicle and the toll amount is automatically deducted from your DARB wallet. Vehicles without a registered account or insufficient balance may incur fines.
Abu Dhabi Toll Gate Locations
Toll gates in Abu Dhabi are positioned at major entry points into the city, particularly on bridges that connect the capital to surrounding areas. The main DARB toll gate locations include:
- Al Maqtaa Bridge – the main entry from the west
- Mussafah Bridge – connecting industrial areas
- Sheikh Zayed Bridge – linking major traffic routes
- Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Bridge – serving the eastern approaches
- Ghantoot Gate (New) – Located on Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Street in Ghantoot (Alternative route: Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Street)
- Al Qurm Gate (New) – Located on Wahat Al Karama Street at the entrance and exit of Sheikh Zayed Street (Alternative routes: Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Street or Arabian Gulf Street)
The new gates are scheduled to commence operations on 4 May 2026 and will operate 24/7, with a standard fee of AED 4 per crossing.
Toll Gate Timings in Abu Dhabi
DARB toll charges apply only during designated peak hours. Outside these times, motorists can pass through toll gates free of charge.
- Morning peak hours: 7:00 am to 9:00 am
- Evening peak hours: 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm
- Days charged: Monday to Saturday
No tolls are charged during non-peak hours, on Sundays or on official public holidays.
DARB Toll Charges
The previous daily cap of AED 16 and monthly limits (AED 200, 150, 100) for private vehicles have been removed. From September 2025, each time a vehicle passes through a DARB toll gate during peak hours, a fee of AED 4 is charged. There are no longer any daily or monthly caps on toll charges, meaning motorists are charged for every individual crossing.
How to Register for Abu Dhabi DARB
To use DARB, registration is mandatory, even for exempted vehicles. Setting up an account is quick and can be done online or via the DARB mobile app. Here is the step-by-step process for DARB registration in Abu Dhabi:
- Step 1: Visit the DARB website or download the DARB App from (Android | iOS).
- Step 2: Choose ‘Individual’ under Create New Account.
- Step 3: Enter your email address and verify it with the OTP sent.
- Step 4: Select your emirate and provide your Traffic Code Number. The code is available on the front side of the driving licence in Abu Dhabi.
- Step 5: Enter your mobile number and verify with the OTP.
- Step 6: Set your password and confirm.
DARB Registration Fees and Requirements
To complete the registration process, motorists should have the following details ready:
- Emirates ID
- Vehicle number plate information
- Active mobile number and email address
- Credit or debit card details
The initial registration fee is AED 100, of which AED 50 is credited to your DARB wallet. This balance can be used to pay toll charges immediately after registration.
How to Pay for DARB Toll
DARB operates on a prepaid wallet system. Toll charges are automatically deducted from the wallet whenever a registered vehicle passes through a toll gate during chargeable hours. Wallets can be topped up at any time through:
- Dashboard: Log in to your DARB account and locate your wallet in the top-left corner of the dashboard. Select Top Up to add funds.
- Vehicles Section: Navigate to the Vehicles tab, choose a registered vehicle and use the Top Up option linked to its wallet.
- Profile Page: Click on your name in the top-right corner after logging in to access your profile, where you’ll find the wallet top-up option.
Payments can be made using debit or credit cards, ensuring a fully cashless experience. Vehicles registered in Abu Dhabi are automatically linked to the system through the Federal Traffic System.
Vehicles and Individuals Exempt from DARB Tolls
Certain categories of drivers and vehicles are exempt from paying toll charges in Abu Dhabi. Individuals eligible for exemption include:
- Senior Emiratis
- Retirees
- People of Determination
- Emiratis with limited income
Exemption applies to one vehicle only. Vehicles registered in other emirates must manually claim exemption through their DARB account.
Exempt vehicle categories include:
- Ambulances
- Abu Dhabi-licensed taxis
- Trailer vehicles
- School buses registered in Abu Dhabi
- Public buses carrying 26 or more passengers
- Electric vehicles
- Police vehicles
- Ministry of Interior vehicles
- Armed Forces vehicles
- Civil Defence vehicles and motorbikes
Exempt vehicles registered in Abu Dhabi are automatically recognised by the system.
How to Apply for Toll Exemptions
Vehicles registered in Abu Dhabi that fall under exempt categories are usually recognised automatically by the system. However, vehicles registered in other emirates must apply for exemption manually. To apply:
- Register or log in to your DARB account.
- Select the ‘Exemption’ option.
- Choose the applicable exemption category.
- Upload the required supporting documents.
Once approved, toll charges will no longer be deducted for the exempt vehicle.
Abu Dhabi Tolling System (DARB) Fines and Penalties
Fines under the Abu Dhabi toll gate system are issued based on the type of violation recorded once the applicable grace period ends.
- Unregistered vehicle: Vehicles passing through a toll gate without DARB registration are given a 10 working-day grace period from the first crossing. If the vehicle remains unregistered, the following fines apply:
- First offence: AED 100
- Second offence: AED 200/day
- Third and subsequent: AED 400/day
- Insufficient balance: For vehicles registered outside Abu Dhabi, a fine of AED 50 per transaction is issued if the wallet balance is insufficient after a five working-day grace period.
- Licence plate manipulation: Tampering with a vehicle’s licence plate to avoid toll charges results in a fine of AED 10,000.
- Toll gate damage: Damaging toll gates or electronic payment equipment carries a fine of AED 10,000.
- Maximum fine limits: Fines for a single violation will not exceed AED 10,000 per vehicle owner. Total fines for a single vehicle are capped at AED 25,000 per year, calculated from the date of the first violation.
FAQs
Can I use Dubai Salik in Abu Dhabi?
No, Dubai Salik tags do not work in Abu Dhabi. You’ll need a separate DARB account.
Do Abu Dhabi toll gates apply on weekends and public holidays?
Toll charges do not apply on Sundays or public holidays. On Saturdays, tolls are only charged during peak hours, while all toll gates remain free outside the designated timings.
What happens if drivers pass through toll gates without registration?
If a driver passes through a toll gate without registering their vehicle, fines may be issued after a 10-working-day grace period.
That’s the wrap on all about the Abu Dhabi Toll Gate System. Understanding DARB helps you avoid fines and travel smoothly across the city. Besides, whether you buy a new or used car for sale in Abu Dhabi, make sure it’s properly registered on the Abu Dhabi DARB toll system to enjoy hassle-free commuting.
For the latest updates on tolls, fines and regulations, stay tuned with UAE’s top cars blog.
Related Posts
