RTA Salik Toll System — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the Salik system in Dubai?
- A parking permit system for Dubai Marina
- An automated electronic toll collection system on major Dubai roads (Correct answer)
- A traffic-light priority system for emergency vehicles
- A vehicle registration renewal portal
Correct answer: An automated electronic toll collection system on major Dubai roads
Salik (Arabic for 'clear' or 'open') is Dubai's cashless, RFID-based electronic toll system. Vehicles pass under toll gates and the fare is automatically deducted from a pre-paid account linked to a tag on the windscreen.
Question 2: How is the Salik toll deducted when a vehicle passes through a Salik gate?
- The driver pays cash to a toll booth attendant
- The system scans the number plate and mails an invoice
- An RFID tag on the windscreen is read and the fare is deducted from the driver's Salik account (Correct answer)
- The toll is automatically charged to the vehicle registration file annually
Correct answer: An RFID tag on the windscreen is read and the fare is deducted from the driver's Salik account
Salik uses Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology. A tag fixed to the inside of the windscreen is read as the vehicle passes the gate, and the toll (AED 4 per crossing) is instantly deducted from the driver's pre-funded Salik account.
Question 3: What happens if a vehicle passes through a Salik toll gate with insufficient account balance?
- The gate barrier lowers to stop the vehicle
- Nothing happens immediately, but a fine is issued later for the unpaid toll (Correct answer)
- The vehicle's engine is remotely disabled
- A warning siren sounds and the driver must reverse
Correct answer: Nothing happens immediately, but a fine is issued later for the unpaid toll
Salik gates have no physical barriers — all lanes remain open. If a vehicle passes with insufficient balance, the system records the violation and a fine is subsequently issued to the registered vehicle owner in addition to the outstanding toll amount.
Question 4: On which of the following major routes would a driver in Dubai typically encounter a Salik gate?
- Al Ain Road (E66) within Dubai
- Sheikh Zayed Road (E11) (Correct answer)
- Hatta Road (E44)
- Dubai–Sharjah border crossing
Correct answer: Sheikh Zayed Road (E11)
Sheikh Zayed Road (E11), the main arterial highway through Dubai, has multiple Salik toll gates. Al Ain Road and Hatta Road do not have Salik gates. The Dubai–Sharjah crossing is a different border checkpoint, not a Salik point.
Question 5: The current toll charge per Salik gate crossing (as of the most recent standard rate) is:
- AED 2
- AED 4 (Correct answer)
- AED 6
- AED 8
Correct answer: AED 4
Each Salik gate crossing costs AED 4, deducted automatically from the driver's Salik account. There is a daily maximum cap to protect frequent commuters from excessive charges on days with high traffic requiring multiple crossings.
Question 6: A newly purchased second-hand vehicle in Dubai has a Salik tag from the previous owner. What should the new owner do?
- Continue using the existing tag — it automatically transfers to the new owner
- Remove the old tag and apply for a new Salik account and tag in their own name (Correct answer)
- Cover the old tag with tape until the account balance is used up
- Report the tag to RTA and drive without one until a new one arrives
Correct answer: Remove the old tag and apply for a new Salik account and tag in their own name
Salik accounts are linked to individuals, not vehicles. The new owner must register their own Salik account and obtain a new tag. Using the previous owner's tag could result in tolls being deducted from the wrong person's account and potential legal complications.
RTA Salik Toll System
What is the Salik system in Dubai?