Dubai is known for its grandeur, innovation and modern infrastructure. The Emirate is also known for its efficient road network, which includes an electronic toll collection system called Salik. Whether you are a resident or a tourist in Dubai understanding the Salik system is crucial to navigating Dubai’s roads without incurring fines. If you are planning to visit Dubai you need to buy a Salik tag. Let’s dive into the details to learn more about the process of getting a Salik tag for tourists.
What is Salik?
Salik, which means “clear” in Arabic, is Dubai’s official road toll system. It was introduced to alleviate traffic congestion and encourage the use of alternative routes. The RTA Salik toll system consists of several toll gates strategically located across the city. When you pass through one of these gates, a fee is automatically deducted from your Salik account, helping to fund road development and maintenance.
Who Needs a Salik Tag?
The simple answer is that anyone driving a vehicle in Dubai, regardless of whether it’s a local or foreign vehicle, needs a Salik tag to pass through the toll gates. This includes tourists who bring their vehicles into Dubai. However, there’s a grace period for tourists and individuals with unregistered vehicles.
If you are a tourist or driving an unregistered vehicle, you can still use the Salik gates. However, you have 10 days from the date of your first trip through a Salik gate to purchase a Salik tag. If you fail to do so within this grace period, you will start incurring fines.
How to Get a Salik Tag in Dubai
Following we will tell you the complete process of buying a Salik tag in Dubai for tourists.
Where to Buy Salik Tag Online in Dubai
The process for buying a Salik tag depends on whether your vehicle is registered in the UAE or another country. The process of buying a Salik tag Dubai includes:
- Vehicles Registered Outside the UAE: Tourists and individuals with vehicles not registered in the UAE have the option to acquire a Salik tag at various petrol stations throughout Dubai. Some of them include Emarat, EPPCO, ENOC, and ADNOC.
- Vehicles Registered in the UAE: If your vehicle is registered in the UAE, you can buy a Salik tag online from the official RTA portal. The Salik tag online purchase will cost you around AED 120.
Documents Required for Salik Tag for Tourists
To obtain a Salik tag, you will need the following:
- A mobile number (to receive Salik-related communication).
- Vehicle registration card details (not required when buying from petrol stations).
How Much Does Salik Tag Cost
Here is the Salik tag cost:
- AED 50 for the Salik tag itself.
- AED 50 credited to your Salik account as a prepaid toll balance upon activating the tag. You can check your Salik balance from time to time.
The total cost is AED 100.
Salik Tag Activation
After purchasing the Salik tag at a gas station, you can call 800 SALIK (800 72545) for Salik tag activation, enter the Salik tag number, and set a PIN. This PIN is essential for managing your Salik account.
How Salik Deducts Money from Your Account
After attaching the Salik sticker tag to your car’s windshield, it becomes connected to your pre-funded Salik account. Whenever you traverse a Salik toll gate, advanced Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology identifies your vehicle and scans your Salik sticker tag. Subsequently, the toll usually charges AED 4 from your preloaded toll account.
Salik Toll Gates in Dubai
Dubai has a total of eight Salik toll gates strategically located across the city:
- Al Safa (Sheikh Zayed Road)
- Al Maktoum Bridge (Umm Hurair Road)
- Jebel Ali (Sheikh Zayed Road)
- Al Barsha (Sheikh Zayed Road)
- Al Garhoud Bridge (Sheikh Rashid Road)
- Airport Tunnel (Beirut Street)
- Al Mamzar South (Al Ittihad Road)
- Al Mamzar North (Al Ittihad Road)
Fines for Not Having a Salik Tag in Dubai
It’s crucial to adhere to Dubai’s Salik regulations to avoid fines. If you fail to register for a Salik tag within the 10-day grace period, you will face the following fines:
- The first time you use the toll gate after the grace period has passed: AED 100
- On the second trip: AED 200
- For each subsequent time, you pass a toll gate without a valid Salik tag: AED 400
FAQs
What were Salik’s total revenues for the first nine months of 2025?
Salik reported AED 2.28 billion in revenue for 9M 2025, marking a 38.6% year-on-year increase.
Can I use my Salik tag in multiple vehicles?
No, a Salik tag is specific to the vehicle to which it is registered. If you have multiple vehicles, each one needs its own Salik tag. You cannot transfer the same tag between different vehicles.
What happens if I drive through a Salik gate without sufficient balance in my account?
If your Salik account balance is insufficient to cover the toll fee when you pass through a Salik gate, you will be charged a fine. It’s essential to regularly monitor your account balance and ensure it has enough funds to avoid fines. However, it is easy to recharge the Salik account by using the mentioned steps.
Can I get a refund for the remaining balance in my Salik account if I leave Dubai or no longer need the Salik tag?
Yes, you can request a refund for the remaining balance in your Salik account if you no longer require the tag. To do so, you will need to return the Salik tag to a designated Salik customer service centre and complete the necessary paperwork. Keep in mind that there may be a processing fee associated with the refund request.
This is all about whether tourists need to buy a Salik tag or not and how they can get it. Tourists driving in Dubai, as well as individuals with unregistered vehicles, need to purchase a Salik tag to pass through the city’s toll gates without incurring fines. For more information, read here about adding and removing the Salik account from the vehicle.
Besides, if you are still looking for a comfortable car to explore the Emirate, browse through the listings of used cars for sale in Dubai. Once you buy a car don’t forget to get a Salik tag. Getting a Salik tag is a straightforward process that involves obtaining the tag from designated locations, ensuring your Salik account has sufficient balance and adhering to the regulations for a hassle-free driving experience.
Stay connected with dubizzle leading car blogs for more updates on driving rules in the UAE.
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