DARB Toll Gate – What it is, How it works, Fees, Exemptions, Caps, Fines, and more.

The DARB Toll Gate System is a very significant transportation project in Abu Dhabi. When business in Abu Dhabi began to expand, the volume of traffic also increased. It became very necessary for UAE authorities to develop a system to reduce traffic flow so that a more efficient and pleasant atmosphere can be created. To achieve this, the Abu Dhabi Toll Gate darb was designed and implemented. Another aim behind the creation of DARB was to encourage the utilization of public transport. It was Instituted under Law No. (17) of 2017 on Road Tolls. It was sanctioned by the late Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Register a vehicle in toll gate system - DARB

What is the DARB Toll Gate System?

The DARB Toll Gate System in Abu Dhabi is similar to Dubai’s Salik. It works like a self-paying toll booth for cars. It charges vehicles when they pass through specific toll gates. These gates are located on important Abu Dhabi bridges such as:

  • Al Maqtaa Bridge
  • Mussafah Bridge
  • Sheikh Zayed Bridge
  • Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Bridge

Every car entering the city must go through this registration process.

See: Salik Balance Check in Dubai

How to Register for DARB in Abu Dhabi?

The process of registering for this system is relatively straightforward. Here are some simple and easy steps to do so:

  1. First of all, visit the official DARB toll website. You can also go to the iOS App Store/Google Play Store to download the app if you want to keep it handy on your mobile. 
  2. Once you have visited the website or in contrast downloaded/installed the app. Then you have to perform registration. The registration process requires essential details such as:
  • Emirates ID
  • An active cell phone number
  • Email ID
  • Vehicle plate details
  • Credit or debit card information

The registration fee is AED 100 per vehicle, along with 50 AED which is credited as the initial balance for the Abu Dhabi Darb account.

Users need to follow a step-by-step process for individual vehicle registration. This includes:

  • Choosing the ‘Individual’ option
  • Entering personal details
  • Verifying the mobile number
  • Selecting the emirate of vehicle registration
  • Completing the registration process

On the other hand, company-owned vehicle registration involves additional steps such as:

  • Providing a copy of the company’s trade license 
  • Providing a list of vehicles to be activated in the system.

DARB Toll Gate Charges

The toll fees for passing through these toll gates is based on specific time frames. 

The toll fee is AED 4 from Monday to Saturday during peak hours (7:00 am to 9:00 am and 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm).

But, the government will give you relief on Sundays and official holidays. You will not pay toll charges during times when there is not enough traffic.

 The daily cap is set at AED 16 per vehicle, while monthly caps vary as follows:

  • AED 200 for the first vehicle
  • AED 150 for the second vehicle
  • AED 100 for each additional vehicle

Exemptions

Several exemptions exist for specific vehicles passing through toll gates. These vehicles include:

  • Ambulances
  • Armed forces
  • Civil defense vehicles
  • Public transport buses
  • Motorcycles
  • Authorized public taxi vehicles
  • School buses

People who face challenges (people of determination), families with not much money, and older citizens can ask for special permission to be exempted from the toll fees.

Fines

You’ll be fined by the toll gate system If you don’t register your vehicle and go through the toll gates. The first time it happens, the fine is AED 100, then AED 200 for the second time, and AED 400 for any time after that.

 If your registered vehicle doesn’t have enough money in its account, you’ll be fined AED 50 for each time it goes through a toll gate. The fine is AED 50 after a grace period of five working days and that is especially for vehicles from outside Abu Dhabi. 

Now, If you try to cheat the system or damage the toll gates, the fine is a hefty AED 10,000. There’s also a cap of AED 25,000 per year for multiple violations with the same vehicle. It’s important to follow the rules to avoid these fines.

Conclusion

Put simply, the DARB Toll Gate System in Abu Dhabi is a very smart way to handle traffic and make public transportation better. It’s a crucial part of the roads’ traffic flow that collects toll fees automatically. If you own a vehicle, you can go through this system easily by knowing how to sign up, how much the toll costs, who doesn’t have to pay, and the fines you might get. All of this helps make transportation in Abu Dhabi smoother and better for the environment.