Complete Guide to Salik in Dubai: Recharge, Fines & 2025 Updates

Dubai: Today, you can’t drive through any part of Dubai city without encountering Salik, the city’s fully electronic toll system. First introduced back in 2007, with just two toll gates, it has expanded to the entire city due to ease of use, advanced technology and quick solution. What makes it so appealing is the design; unlike conventional toll Salik is a much more advanced system. By a simple tag fixed on your car’s windshield, it enables automatic deduction of the toll payment from your prepaid account while passing through the gate. You don’t stop, slow down, or face another human or machine. The system was launched with a goal of easing the traffic situation in the city and helping  car drivers move smoothly across Dubai’s busiest roads. Over the years, Salik has become an essential part of everyday life for residents and visitors alike.

In 2025, Salik rolled out new rules that car users must know, including variable toll rates based on the time of the day, a yearly cap on fines, along with the latest updates to handle user complaints and disputes, if any. If you’re a daily driver in Dubai, it is essential to know and get familiar with Salik. This will help you avoid penalties, help save and make your travel hassle-free. We are here to offer a comprehensive guide explaining all the details such as new toll rates, recharge options, fines, and the latest system updates.

What is Salik?

So by now you already know what exactly the Salik is. It is Dubai city’s automatic toll system. You will not encounter any toll booth, barriers or manual toll collection. Instead, by just sticking a small tag on your car’s windshield, you pass through a toll gate, and without any hassle, just with the help of sensors, the money is deducted from your prepaid account, and you’re notified with an update so that you are aware of the charges and balance. 

The goal is to keep the traffic flowing without letting car drivers stop or slow down. Since there is no manual interface, the speed is high and the process is super easy without really time or effort. However, for everything to run smoothly as a car owner, it is expected of you to keep your Salik account topped up every time with a sufficient balance for the automated system to work flawlessly.

Where Are the Toll Gates?

Any of you driving through Dubai city regularly would notice Salik gates across all the busy areas. At present, there are about 10 of them spread across the city’s main roads and bridges. They’re, as one might expect, located where traffic is heaviest, so it is highly likely that you’ll pass through at least one on your daily commute.

Here’s the list:

• Al Garhoud Bridge: This hardly needs interaction as it is a popular bridge with drivers heading between Deira and Bur Dubai.
• Al Maktoum Bridge: Another highly crowded and busy crossing over the Creek, though keep in mind it’s free at night.
• Al Barsha: Exactly on Sheikh Zayed Road, this gate cannot be missed if you live or work around the Mall of the Emirates or the Marina.
• Al Safa: Another one on Sheikh Zayed Road, mostly for car commuting into Business Bay or Downtown.
• Business Bay Crossing: A major connectivity between old and new Dubai, heavily used during peak traffic time.
• Airport Tunnel: All those heading to the airport for their next flight have to pass through this gate.
• Jebel Ali: One that is located at the southern end of Sheikh Zayed Road, which takes you toward Abu Dhabi.
• Al Mamzar North and Al Mamzar South: Those cars going toward Sharjah will take this one or sometimes both. Here is what you should do. If you pass both Mamzar gates and manage to return within an hour, you’ll have to pay only once.

Salik Toll Rates in 2025

Many of you would recall that until very recent times, Salik used to cost you a flat fee every single time. However, in a major change this year, starting January 2025, variable pricing has been introduced.

Here’s how the tolls now work:

• Peak hours (6 am–10 am, 4 pm–8 pm): AED 6 per crossing
• Off-peak hours (10 am–4 pm, 8 pm–1 am): AED 4 per crossing
• Late night (1 am–6 am): Free
• Sundays (non-holiday): AED 4 all day, the only exception is late night free

Remember, during the festival season of Ramadan, the timings change essentially to accommodate the working and fasting hours. For example, the peak prices run from late morning to early evening, while early mornings and post-iftar hours are off-peak.

So, it is to be noted that the reason for these major changes is to encourage smoother and lighter traffic during peak traffic times while incentivising drivers if they choose to drive these busy routes outside peak times.

Getting and Activating a   Tag

Here is the key aspect of how to activate. If you happened to just move to Dubai or bought a new car, you’ll need a Salik tag. Here’s how to get one:

1. Buy a tag – There are various ways to procure a tag; it is easily made available online, the simplest way through the Salik website or app, or from petrol stations and service centres. Priced at AED 100, the tag usually includes an initial account balance.
2. Stick it correctly: It is vital to place the tag inside your windshield, recommended behind the rear-view mirror.
3. Register it: The last stage is to link the tag to your vehicle’s plate number, which can be done through your Salik account.

Once activated, every crossing is automatically logged and deducted from your balance.

How to Recharge Your Salik Account

Since Salik is a prepaid account, topping it regularly is a must to avoid penalties. And, there are many ways to do it.

• Mobile app or website: These days, all of us have smartphones, which means this is the fastest and easiest option.
• Credit/debit card auto-top-up: The older generation will find this easy option. You can set a minimum balance level, and the system will recharge automatically if it falls to a certain level.
• Petrol stations and service centres: For offline/physical top-up, these are good options where you can pay cash.
• Bank channels – There are some banks that allow recharges directly from your online account.

Salik Fines and Violations

While it is easy to use, just in case you violate the rules, Dubai has strict penalties for breaking Salik rules. Here are the main ones:

• Insufficient Balance

Upon using a toll gate with no or low balance, and the account is not recharged within five working days, ready to pay a fine of AED 50. Even if you cross multiple gates that day, you’ll only be fined once.

• Driving Without a Registered Tag

If you happen to cross a toll without a registered tag linked to your car leads to bigger fines:

• First time: AED 100
• Second time: AED 200
• Third time and beyond: AED 400 per day

Here again, you’ll only be fined once a day, irrespective of how many gates you cross. There is a standard 10-day grace period after the first crossing to register your tag before the fine is activated.

• Tag Tampering or Damage

If someone tries to tamper with a tag or damage a toll gate, fines can go as high as AED 10,000.

• Annual Fine Cap

Even with repeated violations, fines won’t spiral endlessly. The maximum Salik fines you can be charged in a single year are capped at AED 10,000 per vehicle.

• Disputing Fines

Just in case you are fined wrongly or due to any technical issues, you can raise a request through the Salik app or website. However, you must file within 13 months of the incident occurring, and the issue gets sorted out within about two weeks.

Checking and Paying Fines

Salik makes it fairly easy to check your status. You can:

• Log in to the Salik app or website and view your account.
• Use the RTA website or the Dubai Now app.
• Call the Salik hotline at 800-SALIK (72545).
• Visit a vehicle registration centre.

Payments can be done online, via app, at service centres, or through the hotline using a card. Once cleared, you’ll get confirmation by SMS or online.

How to Avoid Issues

By and large, managing Salik is a lot easier, but it is possible that small oversights may cost you inconvenience and fines. How to avoid them is what matters.

• Always keep a minimum balance of AED 50 in your account if any unexpected issues arise or for an unplanned trip.
• It is better to enable auto-top-up if you drive daily through tolls.
• Always better to double-check that your tag is stuck properly and hasn’t peeled or tempered off.
• When you change cars or plates, update your tag immediately.
• Always remember peak hour charges. AED 6 per crossing can add up quickly if you commute daily.
• Never miss SMS alerts and emails on new announcements or any changes.

New Update in 2025

There are certain key changes are being implemented this year

• The most significant change is the introduction of variable pricing, which essentially means tolls now cost more at rush hours and less at quieter times.
• AED 10,000 annual fine cap ensures penalties don’t go beyond that for one car.
• New toll gates have been added across expanding road networks.
• Inactive accounts with no activity for five years may lose their balance.
• Fine disputes now have a clear 13-month window for filing.

Conclusion 

Salik is a wonderful initiative that is actually a part of our everyday driving in Dubai; it is hardly missed by most car owners, drivers. They serve us well to control the traffic, keep the roads flowing, but drivers also need to pay attention. If you treat your Salik account like a prepaid mobile balance, it's not hard to keep it topped up and regularly checked; this will help you avoid fines, inconvenience and also stress sometimes.

The 2025 updates make the system fairer but also more dynamic. The variable pricing rewards off-peak driving, while the fine cap prevents extreme penalties. At the end of the day, Salik is about discipline and a little attention. It is easy, just by keeping your tag active, your account charged, and your eyes on the clock, and Dubai’s roads will stay clear for you.