How it works
Every vehicle registered in the UAE carries a Salik tag on the windscreen. Passing under a gantry deducts a fixed charge per crossing from the account linked to that tag.
There is no way to pay at the roadside and no way to opt out on a road that has a gate. Traffic simply flows through at normal speed.
Where the gates are
Gantries sit on the main arteries crossing Dubai, including Sheikh Zayed Road and the crossings between the two sides of the creek. On a normal week of driving in Dubai you will pass several.
Charges apply per crossing, so a route that passes three gates costs three times the single rate. Navigation apps can usually be set to avoid toll roads if you prefer.
How rental cars are billed
Charged after the rental
The supplier receives the crossings against the vehicle and passes them to you, normally against the deposit and often with an administration fee per crossing.
Sometimes a daily tag fee
Some suppliers add a fixed daily Salik service charge regardless of use. Check which model applies before signing.
What to confirm at handover
- That a Salik tag is fitted and active.
- Whether crossings are billed at cost or with an administration fee.
- Whether a fixed daily charge applies in addition.
- How and when the total will be taken from the deposit.