Darb Timing Abu Dhabi 2026: Toll Gate Hours, Fees & Registration

The Darb timing in Abu Dhabi follows a split schedule from Monday to Saturday. Tolls are active during morning peak hours from 07:00 to 09:00 and evening peak hours from 15:00 to 19:00 (extended from 17:00 on 1 September 2025). No peak-hour tolls are charged on Sundays or public holidays. The two newer gates, Ghantoot and Al Qurm (live since 4 May 2026), are different: they charge AED 4 on every crossing, 24/7.

Driver Action Plan

• Check Balance: Log in to the Darb app to ensure you have at least AED 50.
• Register Now: If you bought a new car, register it immediately to avoid the 10-day fine trigger.
• Plan Routes: Use Sheikh Zayed Bridge or Maqta Bridge? Check the peak windows below to save AED 4 per trip.

Darb Toll Gate Timings Explained

Understanding the exact Abu Dhabi Salik timing (officially known as Darb) is crucial for daily commuters to avoid unexpected deductions. Unlike Dubai’s Salik, which charges at every hour except 01:00 to 06:00, Abu Dhabi’s four original bridge gates charge only during peak windows. The two gates added in May 2026 (Ghantoot and Al Qurm) are the exception and charge around the clock.

Standard Weekday Schedule

At the four bridge gates, charges apply only during peak windows: pass at 08:59 and you are charged; pass at 09:01 and it is free. At Ghantoot and Al Qurm, every crossing is charged at any hour.

Day	Morning Peak (Paid)	Evening Peak (Paid)	Off-Peak (Free)
Monday – Saturday	07:00 – 09:00	15:00 – 19:00	09:01 – 14:59 & 19:01 – 06:59
Sunday	Free All Day	Free All Day	24 Hours Free
Public Holidays	Free All Day	Free All Day	24 Hours Free

Ramadan Timings

During the Holy Month of Ramadan, the Darb toll timing shifts to accommodate changed working hours. For Ramadan 2026, the Integrated Transport Centre set these peak windows (Monday to Saturday). Timings are announced again each Ramadan, so confirm them before the month starts:

• Morning: 08:00 – 10:00
• Afternoon: 14:00 – 18:00

Understanding the Sunday Rule

Many drivers confuse the old Friday weekend system with the current one. Since the UAE weekend shift in 2022, Sundays are strictly free. You can drive through any toll gate in Abu Dhabi on a Sunday as many times as you like without incurring the AED 4 fee.

Darb Toll Gate Locations

Darb now has six toll gates. The original four sit on the bridges connecting Abu Dhabi Island to the mainland and charge only at peak times. Two more gates opened on 4 May 2026 and charge 24/7.

The 4 Bridge Gates (Peak Hours Only)

1. Sheikh Zayed Bridge: Controls traffic entering from the Eastern side/Dubai road.
2. Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Bridge: Connects Saadiyat Island and the Corniche area to the mainland.
3. Al Maqta Bridge: Covers the historical entry point near the Maqta Fort.
4. Mussafah Bridge: Manages heavy traffic flow from the industrial area into the city.

The 2 Newer Gates (24/7, Since 4 May 2026)

• Ghantoot Toll Gate: On Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Street in Ghantoot (the Abu Dhabi to Dubai highway corridor).
• Al Qurm Toll Gate: On Wahat Al Karama Street, at the entrance and exit of Sheikh Zayed Street.

Both newer gates charge AED 4 per crossing at any hour, every day, including Sundays. The usual exemptions (one vehicle for eligible senior citizens, People of Determination, low-income citizens and retirees) still apply.

How Detection Works?

Unlike older toll booths, there are no barriers. The Darb toll timing system uses advanced cameras and sensors to scan your license plate number as you pass at highway speeds. You do not need a physical tag (like the Salik tag in Dubai); the system is purely digital and linked to your number plate.

Cost per Crossing (Caps Were Removed)

Since 1 September 2025 there is no ceiling for private vehicles: the daily and monthly caps were removed, so every chargeable crossing costs AED 4, however many times you cross.

Per-Crossing Fees

• Bridge gates: AED 4 per crossing, during peak hours only.
• Ghantoot and Al Qurm gates: AED 4 per crossing, at any time of day.
• No daily cap: the old AED 16 daily limit no longer applies. Six peak-hour crossings in one day now cost AED 24.

What Happened to the Monthly Caps?

Until 31 August 2025, the Darb timing in Abu Dhabi system capped monthly charges on a sliding scale per vehicle. These caps were abolished on 1 September 2025 and no longer limit what you pay:

• First vehicle: was capped at AED 200 / month (abolished).
• Second vehicle: was capped at AED 150 / month (abolished).
• Additional vehicles: were capped at AED 100 / month (abolished).

Pro Tip: With no caps, timing is the only way to save. At the four bridge gates, crossing at 09:01 instead of 08:59, or before 15:00 instead of after, saves AED 4 each time. Ghantoot and Al Qurm charge at every hour, so plan around them if you cross often.

How to Register for Darb? (Step-by-Step)

You must register your vehicle in the Darb system separately from Dubai Salik. A unified account does not currently exist for both emirates.

Method 1: Website Registration

Step 1: Visit the official Darb website (darb.itc.gov.ae) or download the “Darb” app.

Step 2: Click on “Create New Account” and select “Individual.”

Step 3: Enter your email and submit the OTP sent to your inbox.

Step 4: Select “Abu Dhabi” (or your relevant Emirate) and enter your Traffic Code Number (T.C. No) found on your vehicle registration card (Mulkiya).

Step 5: Pay the registration fee.

Registration Costs

• Total Fee: AED 100.
• Wallet Credit: AED 50 is legally retained as an activation fee, while AED 50 is credited back to your wallet balance to be used for tolls.

Fines and Penalties

Failing to adhere to the regulations or maintaining insufficient funds can lead to significant fines. The system is strict, but it offers grace periods.

Insufficient Balance

If you pass a gate with no credit, you are not fined immediately.

• Grace Period: You have 5 working days to top up your account.
• Penalty: If you fail to top up after 5 days, the fine is AED 50 per violation.

Unregistered Vehicles

If you cross without registering and do not register within 10 working days of your first crossing, fines escalate per day, regardless of how many crossings you make that day:

• First day: AED 100.
• Second day: AED 200.
• Third day: AED 400.

Manipulation Penalties

• Tampering: Distorting a license plate to evade cameras results in a massive AED 10,000 fine.
• Damaging Equipment: damaging e-payment machines or toll gates also carries a AED 10,000 penalty.

Who is Exempt from Darb Tolls?

Certain categories of residents and vehicle types are exempt from paying fees during Abu Dhabi Darb timing peak hours.

Automatic Exemptions

These vehicles do not require special applications:

• Ambulances and Civil Defense vehicles.
• Public buses and authorized school buses.
• Taxis licensed in Abu Dhabi.
• Motorcycles.

Exemptions by Request

You must apply via the Darb website and upload proof (Emirates ID, welfare cards) for:

• Senior Citizens: Emiratis aged 60+.
• People of Determination: Holders of the relevant ID card.
• Low-Income Families: UAE nationals meeting social support criteria.
• Retired Citizens: Retired UAE nationals.

Note: The exemption applies to one vehicle only per eligible person.

Final Thoughts

Navigating the Darb timing system is straightforward once you remember the “split shift” rule. Unlike Dubai, where you pay every time you pass, Abu Dhabi allows you to move freely between the mainland and the island at the four bridge gates during the middle of the day (09:00 to 15:00) and late at night. Remember that the Ghantoot and Al Qurm gates charge at all hours.

Always keep a minimum balance of AED 50 in your account to handle unexpected trips during peak hours. This simple habit prevents the AED 50 insufficient balance fine and keeps your driving experience stress-free.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Last updated: October 2026 | Reviewed by: Editorial Team (Transport Specialist)