Audi
Cadillac
Genesis
Kia
MG
Nissan
Suzuki
BMW
Changan
Honda
Lamborghini
Mazda
Polaris
Tesla
Bentley
Dodge
Hyundai
Lexus
McLaren
Porsche
Toyota
Bugatti
Ford
Infiniti
Land Rover
Mitsubishi
Peugeot
Haval
Chrysler
Ferrari
Jaguar
Lincoln
Mercedes
Rolls Royce
Hongqi
Chevrolet
GMC
Jetour
Maserati
Mini
Renault
Jeep
Salik is the automated toll collection system utilized in Dubai. It is a scheme that collects Dhs 4 from drivers who would pass through a toll gate. Currently, Dubai has eight Salik gates:
- Al Barsha
- Al Garhoud Bridge
- Al Maktoum Bridge
- Al Mamzar South
- Al Mamzar North
- Al Safa
- The Airport Tunnel
- Jebel Ali
However, a few times and techniques are available to pass Salik without paying a toll.
Efficient Tips for Salik Toll Gates Passage!
Rationalize Your Route Planning
If it is possible, arrange your trips in a way that coincides with the free hours. Such as the evening and night hours at Al Maktoum Bridge. This way, you can pass specific toll gates without being charged.
Utilize Free Passes Between Al Mamzar gates
If your trip is collectively to both Al Mamzar South and North gates, try to finish your trip within 1 hour. That way, you will save Dhs 4 by being charged only once.
Stay Clued Up About the Toll-Free Times
Don’t forget that Al Maktoum Bridge is toll-free on Sundays and on weekdays for the specific hours of 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Using this exemption wisely, you can lessen your toll expenses.
Give Regular Top Up Your Salik Account
It is necessary to maintain your Salik account sufficiently funded to avoid unnecessary fines. You are provided with a five-day grace period to recharge your account. If by mistake you pass through the gate without enough balance, but it would be best to do so beforehand.
Watch Out for Your Salik Tag
Keep an eye on your Salik tag which might be improperly placed or malfunctioning to avoid fines. If your tag is not read then that can incur fees, so periodically check that all is good.
Look Into the Consideration of Different Routes
Whenever possible, consider using different routes that avoid Salik gates, especially if on a leisure trip. Even though this may increase travel time, it can lead to cumulative savings of time.
Know the Grace Period for New Vehicles
When you go through a toll gate without a Salik tag, you have ten days from that first crossing to get one. Make sure to get your tag within this window to avoid escalating fines.
Which is the Time of Salik Free?
Salik charges are waived during certain periods. For example, vehicles driving the toll gate at Al Maktoum Bridge are not charged on Sunday. They are also not charged during the evening hours of the weekdays. The no-toll time starts from 10 p.m. on Saturday and ends at 6 a.m. on Monday. Thus, covering the whole day on Sunday. On weekdays, all days from Monday to Friday, the toll is free from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. while the Floating Bridge is closed. However, the tolls are applicable to the vehicles crossing the Floating Bridge on Fridays.
Save on Salik Charges
A strategic timing arrangement between two toll-gates, Al Mamzar South and Al Mamzar North, can be used. For instance, if you drive to Sharjah, you pay Dhs 4 to pass through Al Mamzar South and then drive through Al Mamzar North within one hour in the same direction, the second crossing is free.
The reverse is also correct. If you first go through Al Mamzar North and reach Al Mamzar South within an hour, you will pay just once. This effectively shares the toll between the two gates in the same trip and full circle. It is applicable also if you have a journey less than if you had done it separately.
Salik Charge Fines
The non-refundable and non-transferable balances are Salik’s account balances. The account balance is valid for five years and will be lost if your Salik tag does not get activated during that time. If a vehicle with less balance passes through a Salik gate, the driver will get a warning to recharge. A period of five days is given to them to top up their account before being fined Dh50 daily. It commences on the sixth day.
Drivers who use a toll gate without a Salik tag have ten days from their first trip to buy one. If they do not manage to get it done then fines will be imposed. The first time after the ten-day unhappiness is a Dh100 fine. The second question incurs a Dh200 fine. Any further negative answers will incur a Dh400 fine for each of them.
Two Salik Gates Opening Announcements
In January, RTA announced the commissioning of two new Salik toll gates in November. It would increase the total number of the Salik gates by two. Ten in total and eight in the current ones.
Summary
Salik is a unique, automatic toll system that has been effectively utilized for the collection of roads to manage traffic. While eight times through any toll gates-Al Barsha, Al Garhoud, and, of course, Al Maktoum Bridge-spin a flat rate of Dhs 4, knowing some system tricks can indeed help save costs. By playing the no-toll times and combining between the Al Mamzar gates, motorists can save on charges. In such ways, the drivers optimize not just the costs but also the experience. Thus, riding on the busy highways across Dubai becomes easier.
