What Is Salik in Dubai and How to Use It on a Rented Car

What is Salik in Dubai? You might want to know the answer to this question if you're planning to rent a vehicle in this vibrant city. Due to this toll system in Dubai, your spending for auto rental can slightly increase. The good news is that the expenses will be affordable and you'll be able to control or avoid them by choosing the optimal itineraries.

In this article, we'll clarify how the toll system functions. We'll answer the popular question "What is Salik account number?" and explain to you how to pay your charges if you hire an auto.

What Is Salik?

Salik is the name given to the toll collection system in Dubai. It was invented to prevent congestion in the centre and keep the roads in a decent state. It enables drivers to travel at a high speed without stopping.

The existing Salik gates are located at:

• Sheikh Zayed road
• Al Garhoud bridge
• Al Mamzar South and North gates – if you pass through both in the same direction within an hour, you'll be charged for one gate only
• Al Maktoum bridge

The question "What time Salik is free?" is relevant only to the last one. It will charge you a fee at any time of the day Monday through Wednesday. On the other days, it's free at night.

The RTA, the local road authorities, has announced that at least two new gates are about to be added to the Salik toll system. More can appear in the future.

How Does Salik Work?

Salik uses the RFID technology. An RFID sticker with a Salik tag number is attached to the windshield of the vehicle. Each time you pass below a gate, a scanner fixed on it will read the information from the sticker's chip and will automatically deduct the toll fee.

After you get a Salik account, you'll be able to use it exclusively for driving in Dubai. Other cities and Arabic Emirates in the UAE can have similar systems or develop them in the future. But they are not called Salik and can function a bit differently.

To get a Salik tag in Dubai, a car owner can register on the Salik website or visit an offline dealer at one of the selected gas stations. In the former case, they can activate their profile without third-party help by receiving a message. In the latter case, they should call 800 Salik to complete the activation. If they get another vehicle later, they won't have to register for a Salik from scratch. They will be allowed to stick to their existing Salik account.

Salik for Rental Cars

If you rent a vehicle, you won't have to ask "What is Salik pin?" or "What is Salik recharge number?" to the agency representatives. Neither will you have to undergo an electronic registration. Things will be much simpler for you.

You can be sure your vehicle is registered in the Salik system. There will be no need for you to create a personal account in your name. You just drive and let the system deduct the fees automatically. When you give the auto back to the provider, they will show you an invoice. It will contain your full history of passing the gates.

Some agencies charge processing fees for Salik payments. Don't forget to discuss this detail before signing the contract. We won't charge you extra for using the paid roads. We'll ask you to compensate precisely the amount of money that was deducted from the account.

How to Pay for Salik

Getting an invoice from a rental provider is not the only possible way out. However, it seems to be the most convenient one.

As an alternative, you can consider hiring a car privately. Then, you'll be able to purchase a Salik tag online and install a mobile app. The app will enable you to check your Salik balance and top it up. If you wish, you can opt for a prepaid account — it comes in particularly handy for those who can assess their frequency of passing the gates in advance. If you don't want to prepay your electronic toll, you can use Salik top-up cards as well as pay by sending text messages and making calls.

If you lack funds now, you'll have five working days to pay for passing the gate. Otherwise, you'll face a 50 AED fine for each violation.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if I passed a Salik toll gate?

Each time you pass a Salik toll gate, you'll get a confirmation message. 4 AED will be deducted from your remaining balance. You'll be able to track the history of deductions in the app.

How much does each toll gate cost?

Currently, each toll gate costs AED 4. This price remains fixed regardless of the day of the week and time of the day. The only exception is Al Maktoum which is free every night from Thursday to Saturday.

Can I avoid Salik gates, and how?

To avoid Salik toll gates in Dubai, you can opt for alternative itineraries. However, it's impossible to pass below the scanner without paying for it immediately or later.

What happens if I don't pay Salik?

You'll have five working days to recharge your Salik and pay the debt. Otherwise, you'll face a fine of AED 50 for each case. If you hire your auto, the rental agency will ask you to pay the fines after you return the car.

Can Salik charges be refunded or disputed?

Each case is individual. To discuss your situation, you'd better contact an experienced lawyer. Some drivers indeed manage to dispute and refund their fees or fines.

Conclusion

Hopefully, now you understand the essence of Salik charges in Dubai. It's an electronic toll collection system that includes several gates in Dubai.

Before signing a rental contract for an auto, make sure to find out how the company handles Salik. If you have questions, don't hesitate to ask them to the customer service crew.