Salik is the name of Dubai’s online toll system which was implemented in 2007 by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) in order to eliminate physical toll booths and the traffic congestion that comes with them.
With the Salik tolling system, you’ll be charged simply by driving through the designated gate which will automatically scan the Salik tag on your windshield and deduct the AED 4 fee from your prepaid account.
However, if you don’t have a tag or sufficient funds in your account you will be fined, so it is necessary for every driver to check their Salik fines regularly to avoid legal complications down the road. In this article Lookinsure mag, you’ll find all the information you need about the tolling system in Dubai and ways to check Salik fines and different methods of payment.
Frequently Answered Questions
1. How does Salik fine work?
If you pass a Salik toll without enough funds or an unregistered vehicle, you’ll receive an SMS. You have 5 or 10 days to recharge your account or register for a tag before fines are issued. If you have accumulated a hefty amount of Salik fines, we recommend utilizing special Salik fine discount offers that are announced by the platform for special occasions.
2. What is the fine for insufficient balance on Salik?
The fine for insufficient balance on Salik is AED 50 which will not be issued if you recharge your account within 5 days of the violation.
3. How can I check my Salik fine in UAE?
Salik fines payment history and balance can be checked in the following ways: Visiting Salik website, RTA website, Dubai Drive app, Dubai Police app, Going to Salik Happiness Centers, RTA-certified vehicle registration centers.
4. What are the charges for Salik in UAE?
People who violate Salik rules by driving through Salik tolling scanners without sufficient funds or with unregistered vehicles will be fined between AED 50 to AED 400.
5. Is Salik free after 10 pm?
Salik operates 24/7 across most gates in Dubai, but the Al Maktoum Bridge and Al Safa gates are free between 10:00 PM and 6:00 AM, allowing drivers to pass without toll charges during these hours.
6. How do I check my Salik charges?
In order to check whether you have sufficient funds in your Salik account or not you can visit Salik’s own website, go to your account, and check your balance.
Types Of Salik Violations And Fines
There are two basic types of Salik fines which are issued either due to insufficient funds or unregistered vehicles without tags. Here is what you need to know about these fines:
Insufficient Funds
As mentioned above, with the Salik system the toll fee is automatically deducted from your prepaid account. So you must have enough credit in your account, otherwise, you will receive an SMS in which you are asked to charge your account within 5 days, or you will be fined AED 50 each time you pass a Salik gate with insufficient funds.
Unregistered Vehicles
In order for the Salik tolling system to work, every vehicle must be registered and given a tag that will be displayed on the windshield glass, since it is through scanning this tag that the fees are paid.
So, every driver using Dubai roads that require a toll must register their vehicle and obtain a tag. Failure to do so will bring about a fine of up to AED 400. However, the good news is that you will have 10 days to apply for a tag before being fined. If you don’t apply for a tag within 10 days, you will be fined in the following way:
- AED 100 for the first time you use the toll
- AED 200 for the second time
- AED 400 for each entry after that
Why Regularly Checking Salik Fines Is Important
The Salik system is designed for seamless travel through toll gates across the UAE, so you don’t have to stop at the toll station every time. However, for the below reasons, you need to check your Salik balance and status regularly:
Avoiding Penalties
If you pass a Salik toll scanner with insufficient funds or in a registered vehicle, you will receive an SMS to the phone number registered to your car; however, if you don’t have access to that phone number, it is important to check Salik fines regularly, as unpaid fines can add up and lead to hefty sums.
Renewing Vehicle Registration
Just like traffic tickets, unpaid Salik fines will cause problems when renewing your vehicle registration. So, it would be advisable to check Salik fines and pay them before it is time for a renewal.
How To Check Salik Fines In UAE?
Other than relying on SMS messages that will be sent to the phone number registered to your vehicle every time you pass a Salik tolling scanner with a car without a tag or with insufficient funds, there are 4 different ways you can check your Salik fines:
Salik website
- Visit Salik’s website, go to “Salik Services” on the menu tab and click on “Violations”.
- Next, you will be asked to punch in your license plate information.
- After entering your license plate number, click on the “search” button.
- After that, The Salik database will show you any fines issued to the car registered with the information you provided.
Dubai Drive App
- Download the “Dubai Drive” app appropriate for your phone.
- Open the app go to the “Salik” category and then enter the “violations and disputes” section.
- Enter your car’s license plate number and press “find”.
- Finally, if there are any fines issued for your car the database will list them to you.
3. Dubai Police app
- Visit the Dubai Police website or open their mobile application.
- Find the section related to “Fine Payment”
- Enter your vehicle’s information
- After searching the database, you will be shown a list of Salik fines issued to your car.
4. Vehicle Registration Centers
If you prefer in-person services, you can also visit registration centers such as Tasjeel stations where you can ask their tellers to run a check on your Salik fines.
How To Pay Salik Fines in UAE?
Salik fines payment can be carried out through several online platforms as well by visiting different official centers. In addition, you can take advantage of Salik fine discount offers on special occasions such as the National Day Discount, which offers up to 50% discount on Salik traffic fines.
Salik Website
Salik’s own website is the best way to check fines and pay them. It is easy to use and has everything you need regarding Salik fines.
RTA Website
By visiting the official website of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) you can access a record of your Salik fines and pay them online. All you need for this is your license plate number and a valid credit or debit card.
Dubai Police App or Website
With the Dubai police app or through their website you can also access your fine record and pay them online, either by entering your license plate number or through entering the ticket number if it is an individual fine.
Dubai Drive App
With the Dubai Drive app, you can both check Salik fines and pay them using your debit or credit card. All you need to do is download the application, do a quick sign-up and then the rest is quite straightforward.
Vehicle Registration Centers
Car registration centers can also be used for both checking Salik fines and paying them. These centers are especially suitable for people who prefer in-person services to using online platforms.
Here is a list of RTA certified Vehicle Registration Centers in Dubai:
- Juma Al Majid Vehicle Licensing
- Arabian Automobiles
- Al Futtaim (Toyota Festival City)
- Al Futtaim (Toyota – Deira)
- Al Futtaim (Honda Festival City)
- Commercial Enterprises
- Gargash Enterprises
- Galadari Motors
Tips to avoid Salik fines in the UAE
Avoiding Salik fines is not a difficult task, you only need to keep a few things in mind:
Keep Your Account Charged
Avoiding Salik fines is quite easy. All you have to do is make sure your car is registered and that you have sufficient funds in your Salik account. In order to make sure you have sufficient funds you will need to check your account regularly and recharge it when needed.
Pay Attention to Grace Periods
Even if you pass a Salik tolling scanner with insufficient funds or in an unregistered vehicle, you will still have some time to charge your account or apply for a tag before the fine is actually issued. Fines for insufficient funds won’t be issued for 5 days after using a Salik booth and unregistered vehicles have 10 days to apply for a tag before being fined.
How to Dispute a Salik Fine in Dubai?
It is possible to dispute a Salik fine if you believe you have been wrongly charged. In order to do so, you will need to first gather every information and document necessary such as receipts and a balance of your account, along with the ticket number on your fine.
After gathering the proper information, you can submit your claim through one of the methods outlined below:
Call Salik Customer Service
Fines issued for simple errors can be rectified easily by calling Salik customer service at +971 4 2335000 or +971 4 2335000.
Submit Through RTA’s or Salik’s Website
There is a section designated for disputes which can be accessed by directly visiting their websites. Bear in mind that you will need to have detailed information about your ticket in order to submit your claim.
Visit Salik Happiness Centers
If you prefer to file your dispute claim in person you can visit Salik Happiness centers. Here is a list of every Salik Happiness Center in Dubai:
- Salik Customer Happiness Centre in Umm Ramool, Dubai
Address: Marrakesh Street, Umm Ramool
- Salik Customer Happiness Centre in Deira, Dubai
Address: Al Tawar, Behind the General HQ of Dubai Police
- Salik Customer Happiness Centre in Al Rowaiyah, Dubai
Address: Dubai Government Workshop, Emirates Road – Al Rowaiyah Third
- Salik Customer Happiness Centre in Al Qusais, Dubai
Address: Tasjeel Al Qusais Beirut Street, Al Qusais Industrial 5
- Salik Customer Happiness Centre in Al Quoz, Dubai
Address: Tasjeel Al Barsha Sheikh Zayed Road, Al Quoz Industrial 3,
Next to Al Barsha Traffic Department
Seamless Insurance Renewal with Lookinsure
Similar to the Salik system, the insurance infrastructure in the UAE is fully online today. With platforms like Lookinsure, you can get online quotes for insurance renewal even from certain providers that offer offline insurance services. You can buy car insurance and renew your insurance plan all on one platform.
Conclusion
Salik is Dubai’s cashless tolling system which has eliminated the need for stopping at physical toll booths which is both time-consuming and can cause traffic jams. This system works by scanning the tags that every vehicle must have on their windshield and deducting the toll fees from their prepaid accounts.
Having insufficient funds in your Salik account or driving a vehicle without this tag will bring about fines between AED 50 to AED 400, so each driver in Dubai needs to have a Salik registered vehicle with a charged account.