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Lixiang
Navigating Dubai’s toll roads is straightforward when you rent from Brook Drive. All our vehicles come pre-equipped with Salik tags, Dubai’s automated toll collection system. You don’t need to register anything, purchase stickers, or activate the tag — everything is already set up. The system operates on a free-flowing basis: overhead cameras detect your vehicle as you pass through toll gates, and charges are recorded automatically. You simply drive and settle the total upon returning the car.
What is Salik and How Does It Work in a Rental Car?
Salik is Dubai’s electronic toll collection system, managed by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). Unlike traditional toll booths, Salik gates use radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology to detect vehicles without requiring them to stop. Each car has a small sticker (tag) on the windshield linked to the vehicle’s registration. When you pass under a Salik gate, the system captures the vehicle’s tag ID and records the toll.
For rental cars, the process is even simpler. We ensure your experience is seamless as all our vehicles come pre-installed with Salik tags. The tags are registered under Brook Drive’s commercial license with RTA, so tourists never handle registration or account management. Your only task is to drive — we track all tolls and include them in your final invoice or deduct them from your security deposit (where applicable). This hands-off approach eliminates confusion and ensures you’re never charged incorrectly for someone else’s trips.
Think of it this way: the tag is like a digital passport for your car. Every gate it passes becomes a checkpoint in your journey, logged and timestamped. No fumbling for cash, no stopping, no stress.
Salik Toll Rates & Fees
As of 2025, Dubai has introduced dynamic pricing for Salik tolls based on time of day. During peak hours (6:00 AM to 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM), each pass costs 6 AED (approximately $1.63). During off-peak hours (10:00 AM to 4:00 PM and 8:00 PM to 1:00 AM) and all day on Sundays (except during public holidays or major events), the rate drops to 4 AED (about $1.09). Between 1:00 AM and 6:00 AM every night, tolls are free.
Rental companies in Dubai typically charge the government rate without markup. At Brook Drive, we pass through the exact Salik fee you incur — no hidden service charges per toll. Some competitors add a 1–2 AED administrative fee per pass; we don’t. The only extra cost you may see is a small administrative charge (usually 10–50 AED total) if you accumulate unpaid fines or if we process violations on your behalf, but this is separate from the toll itself.
For families or groups traveling together, splitting toll costs across passengers makes driving even more economical than public transport. A family of four crossing a peak-hour gate pays just 1.50 AED per person — less than a single metro ticket. To offset toll costs further, consider our economy car options, which combine low rental rates with fuel efficiency — perfect for budget-conscious travelers who still want the freedom of a private vehicle.
Recommended 7-Seater Vehicles for Group Travel
When you’re traveling with family or a larger group, the per-person cost of tolls becomes negligible. Here are our top picks for spacious, comfortable rides through Dubai’s toll gates:
| Model | Type | Daily Price | Min Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hyundai Staria | Minivan 7 seats | 590 AED | 21+ |
| Mercedes V Class | Luxury Van | 1200 AED | 25+ |
| Cadillac Escalade | Luxury 7-seater SUV | 1150 AED | 21+ |
| Toyota Land Cruiser 300 | Family SUV | 650 AED | 21+ |
With seven passengers, even frequent toll crossings add less than 1 AED per person per gate — far cheaper than individual metro or taxi fares, and infinitely more comfortable. Plus, you control the route, the schedule, and the soundtrack.
List of Toll Gates in Dubai (Updated Map)
As of 2025, Dubai operates several Salik toll gates strategically positioned on major highways. The network has expanded to include two new gates: Business Bay Crossing and Al Safa South. Below is the complete, updated list:
| Gate Name | Road Name | Location Note |
|---|---|---|
| Al Barsha | Sheikh Zayed Road (E11) | Near Mall of the Emirates |
| Al Safa | Sheikh Zayed Road (E11) | Intersection with Al Wasl Road |
| Al Safa South | Sheikh Zayed Road (E11) | Southern section, near Business Bay |
| Business Bay Crossing | Sheikh Zayed Road (E11) | New gate near Business Bay metro |
| Al Garhoud Bridge | Al Garhoud Bridge | Connects Deira and Bur Dubai |
| Al Maktoum Bridge | Al Maktoum Bridge | Free nights & Sundays (see details below) |
| Jebel Ali | Sheikh Zayed Road (E11) | Southern entry to Dubai |
| Al Mamzar North | Al Ittihad Road | Sharjah border area |
| Al Mamzar South | Dubai-Sharjah Road | Parallel to Al Mamzar North |
Most gates are concentrated along Sheikh Zayed Road (E11), Dubai’s main artery running through the city’s most iconic districts. Driving this route offers unparalleled views of the Burj Khalifa, Dubai Frame, and glittering skyscrapers — an experience worth every dirham. If you want to make the journey truly memorable, consider our Ferrari rental service. Cruising down SZR in a Ferrari with the skyline as your backdrop is a bucket-list moment, and the Salik fees pale in comparison to the thrill.
Best Convertibles and Supercars for Scenic Toll Road Drives
For those who want to turn every toll gate into a photo opportunity, we recommend open-top and high-performance models that amplify the Dubai driving experience:
| Model | Daily Price |
|---|---|
| Ferrari F8 Spider | 3390 AED |
| Lamborghini Huracan EVO Spyder | 3390 AED |
| Porsche 911 Targa 4S | 1890 AED |
| Bentley Continental Convertible | 2690 AED |
These vehicles are designed for Sheikh Zayed Road’s wide lanes and smooth asphalt. The toll gates become mere checkpoints on a journey of luxury and adrenaline. Imagine the wind in your hair, the engine’s roar echoing off glass towers, and the city lights blurring into streaks of gold.
Free Hours & Alternative Routes
While Salik tolls are modest, savvy drivers can avoid them entirely by adjusting their schedule or route. Between 1:00 AM and 6:00 AM every night, all Salik gates are free. This makes late-night or early-morning drives perfect for budget travelers or night owls exploring Dubai’s 24-hour lifestyle.
Additionally, Al Maktoum Bridge offers free passage during off-peak times: from 1:00 AM to 6:00 AM daily, and all day on Sundays and public holidays (unless a major event triggers paid mode). If your route crosses this bridge, timing your trip can save you 4–6 AED per crossing.
Toll-Free Alternative Roads
If you prefer to skip tolls altogether, Dubai offers two major highways with no Salik gates:
- Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road (E311) — runs parallel to Sheikh Zayed Road, connecting northern and southern Dubai. It’s slightly longer but often faster during peak hours due to lower traffic density.
- Emirates Road (E611) — skirts the city’s outskirts, ideal for trips to Sharjah, Ajman, or Dubai’s eastern suburbs. It’s the longest route but avoids all tolls and congestion.
The trade-off is distance and time. E311 and E611 routes can add 10–20 minutes to your journey compared to the direct SZR path, but during rush hour, the time difference shrinks — and you save 20–40 AED in tolls if you’re making multiple crossings. For long-distance comfort on these alternate routes, we recommend our SUV selection. SUVs and sedans handle extended drives effortlessly, and their fuel efficiency offsets the extra kilometers.
Comfortable Vehicles for Long Toll-Free Routes
These models combine reliability, comfort, and economy for drivers choosing E311 or E611:
| Model | Class | Daily Price |
|---|---|---|
| Mazda 6 | Comfort Sedan | 390 AED |
| Chevrolet Tahoe | Full-size SUV | 750 AED |
| Nissan Patrol Super Safari | Reliable SUV | 690 AED |
| BMW 530 | Business Sedan | 650 AED |
Use navigation apps like RTA Smart Drive (available on App Store and Google Play) to plan toll-free routes. The app shows real-time traffic and calculates whether avoiding Salik saves time or just money. Sometimes the scenic route is worth it — other times, paying 6 AED to shave 15 minutes off your drive is the smarter call.
How to Pay for Salik? (Instructions for Renters)
Critical clarification: As a renter, you do not top up the Salik account yourself. The Salik tag is registered to Brook Drive, not to you personally. Any attempt to recharge it at a kiosk or online would credit our company account, not your rental agreement — and you’d have no proof of payment.
Here’s how the process actually works:
Every time you pass a Salik gate, the system logs the charge against the car’s tag.
Brook Drive monitors all tolls in real-time via our RTA commercial account.
When you return the vehicle, we calculate your total Salik charges and either deduct them from your security deposit or include them in a final invoice (if you chose our No Deposit option).
We offer a «No Deposit» service when you rent luxury cars, allowing you to settle Salik charges simply via the final invoice. This is especially convenient for high-end rentals where traditional deposits can exceed 5,000 AED. You receive a detailed breakdown showing each toll crossing with date, time, and gate location — full transparency, no surprises.
Premium Vehicles Available with No-Deposit Policy
Even our most exclusive models are available under this flexible payment system, demonstrating Brook Drive’s trust in our clients:
| Model | Daily Price |
|---|---|
| Rolls-Royce Cullinan | 4290 AED |
| Ferrari Purosangue | 11990 AED |
| Mercedes G63 AMG | 2290 AED |
Important: Never remove or tamper with the Salik sticker. If the tag is damaged or missing, the RTA system cannot detect your vehicle, and the car owner (us) receives a fine — which we will pass on to you, along with an administrative fee. It’s a small sticker, but it carries big consequences if mishandled.
Fines and Violations
If a vehicle passes through a Salik gate without a functioning tag, the RTA issues fines based on the offense count:
- First violation: 100 AED
- Second violation: 200 AED
- Third and subsequent violations: 400 AED each
Fines are registered to the vehicle owner (Brook Drive in this case), not the driver. However, our rental agreement makes the driver responsible for any violations occurring during their rental period. If you remove, obscure, or damage the Salik tag — intentionally or accidentally — you will be charged the full fine amount plus a 50 AED processing fee.
Additionally, if the Salik account linked to the vehicle has insufficient funds and a toll goes unpaid, the vehicle owner is fined 100 AED. We maintain adequate balances on all our tags, so this scenario is rare. But if it occurs due to a system delay or error, we absorb the cost — you’re never penalized for our administrative issues.
To avoid problems: always check that the Salik sticker is intact and visible on the windshield before driving off. If you notice it’s missing or peeling, contact us immediately for a replacement vehicle. A quick inspection at pickup saves headaches later.
FAQ about Dubai Toll Roads
Are toll roads free on weekends or Sundays?
No. As of 2025, Sundays are not free for Salik tolls (except during the 1:00 AM – 6:00 AM window, which applies every night). The only toll-free periods are:
- 1:00 AM to 6:00 AM daily (all gates)
- Al Maktoum Bridge: also free all day on Sundays and public holidays (unless a special event is in effect)
Fridays and Saturdays are fully chargeable. Plan accordingly if you’re trying to minimize costs. However, the off-peak rate of 4 AED on Sundays still makes driving more affordable than weekday peak hours.
Is there a daily cap on Salik charges?
No. In 2025, Dubai’s Salik system does not impose a daily limit on toll deductions. If you cross 10 gates in one day, you pay for all 10 passes. Theoretically, a driver making frequent trips across the city could accumulate several hundred dirhams in a single day. This is why route planning and timing (using free hours or alternate roads) can save significant money on longer stays.
For context: a typical tourist exploring major attractions (Dubai Mall, Burj Khalifa, Jumeirah Beach, Dubai Marina) might cross 4–6 gates per day, totaling 16–36 AED depending on timing. Still cheaper than a full-day taxi hire.
How much is the penalty for passing without a Salik tag?
The fine structure is progressive:
- 100 AED for the first offense
- 200 AED for the second
- 400 AED for each subsequent offense
These fines apply if the vehicle lacks a tag or the tag is non-functional. In a rental scenario, the fine is charged to the car owner (us), and we pass it to the renter as per the contract. If you’re renting from Brook Drive, you’ll never face this issue — all our cars have working, registered tags. We inspect every vehicle before handover to ensure the tag is intact and functional.
Can I check my Salik balance on a rental car?
Not directly. The Salik account is registered under Brook Drive’s corporate RTA license, not your personal details. The official Salik website and Smart Salik app require the account holder’s login credentials or the tag number plus account number. As a renter, you don’t have access to these.
Instead, simply ask your Brook Drive rental manager for a current toll summary. We can pull a live report from our RTA dashboard showing all your crossings, timestamps, and charges. You’ll receive a final detailed invoice upon vehicle return, itemizing every Salik charge. This system ensures accuracy and prevents disputes — you see exactly what you’re paying for, with official RTA timestamps as proof.
If you’re concerned about runaway costs during a long rental, request a mid-term statement. We’re happy to provide updates so you can adjust your routes if needed. Transparency is part of the service — no surprises, no hidden fees, just straightforward accounting.
