Everything You Need to Know About Salik Recharge Options

Salik is one of the leading traffic systems in the UAE, providing a convenient and fast solution for paying highway tolls and fees in variable tariff zones. Whether you're a resident or a traveler in the UAE, it's important to understand the Salik electronic toll system in Dubai, Salik card, and how to pay road fees to avoid fines and violations.

What is the Salik Toll System?

Salik is an electronic toll system in Dubai aimed at ensuring smooth traffic flow, so you don't need to stop at any point on Dubai's roads to pay tolls. You can pass through toll gates without stopping, and each time your vehicle passes through a toll gate, AED 4 is automatically deducted from your prepaid Salik account.

How Does Salik Work?

Salik's electronic gates automatically recognize your Salik card affixed to your vehicle's front windshield using radio wave technology. The toll crossing fee is deducted from your Salik account balance without the need to reduce speed, as the skillfully designed electronic Salik system operates automatically.

Salik Card

The Salik card is a battery-free chip that you affix to your vehicle's front windshield. Once activated, the card is linked to your prepaid Salik account.

Where to Purchase a Salik Card

You can buy a Salik card from various locations inside and outside Dubai, including:

• Salik website

• Gas stations such as Emirates, EPPCO, ENOC, and ADNOC

Cost of Purchasing a Salik Card

The cost of purchasing a Salik card through the website is AED 120, including:

• AED 50: Salik card price

• AED 50: Balance added to your Salik account after card activation

• AED 20: Delivery cost (including VAT)

The cost of purchasing a Salik card from gas stations is AED 100, including:

• AED 50: Salik card price

• AED 50: Balance added to your Salik account after card activation

How to Install a Salik Card on the Front Windshield

After purchasing a Salik card from an authorized agent, follow these four easy steps to install it on your car's front windshield:

1. Determine the card placement location under the mirror, about 1 cm below. If your vehicle's front glass is tinted, it's preferable to install the card in an untinted area.

2. Clean the front windshield where you'll install the Salik card.

3. Peel off the transparent part of the Salik card's adhesive side.

4. Attach the card, then slowly wipe its surface towards the opposite end to remove any trapped air between the card and the glass.

How to Activate a Salik Card Online

After purchasing a Salik card, you need to activate it. To do so, you'll need:

• Salik card number located on the card's back

• Your mobile number

• Traffic code (for vehicles registered in the UAE), found on the vehicle registration

Once you have these details ready, register on the Salik website and follow these steps:

• Visit the Salik website

• From the homepage, select "Salik Services" then click on "Activate Salik Card"

• Fill in the registration details such as card number and traffic file number

• Fill in vehicle details

• Complete profile details

• You'll receive a verification code, enter it

• Upload the required documents

• Verify your details

• Your Salik card will be activated afterward

How to Top Up Salik Balance Online

You can top up your Dubai Salik balance online easily by following simple steps either through the Salik website or the Salik app (App store /Google play). To add Salik balance via the website, just:

• Log in to the website

• Select "Salik Services" from the homepage

• Click on "Top Up Salik Balance"

• Choose "Online Payment"

• Enter your mobile number and vehicle information

• Select the amount you want to pay

• Choose your payment method, pay, and you're ready to go

Dubai Salik Gates and Locations

Currently, there are eight Salik toll gates in Dubai:

Dubai Salik Violations - What Happens in Case of a Violation? 

Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority imposes fines and penalties on those who do not comply with the Dubai Salik system to ensure effective implementation. The most important Dubai Salik violations include:

• Insufficient balance in the account: AED 50 fine if the vehicle passes through a Salik gate without sufficient balance and the account isn't recharged within 5 working days.

• Crossing with an unregistered plate: AED 100 for the first offense, AED 200 for the second, and AED 400 for subsequent offenses within 10 working days.

• Manipulating or cheating with a Salik card: A fine of AED 10,000.

• Damaging any electronic payment device or toll gate: A fine of AED 10,000.

Note: A maximum of one violation per day is imposed on a single vehicle, even if you cross through the gates multiple times on the same day.

Exemption from Salik Fees

According to decisions by Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority, some vehicles are exempt from paying Salik fees, including:

• Public transport buses

• Police vehicles

• Armed forces vehicles

• Civil defense vehicles

• Vehicles for people with disabilities

• Vehicles of charitable and humanitarian organizations