If you’re newly moving to Abu Dhabi or go there with your car frequently, you might have heard about Darb toll gate. You may be wondering about the system and its rules, that’s why we are bringing you this article.
This guide includes all the important information and details about Darb in Abu Dhabi so keep reading to find all the answers you want.
- What’s darb?
- Darb System, location, timing and peak hours
- Darb Fees, Registration and Payment
- How Can You Avoid Paying Darb’s Fines?
- What time DARB is free?
- What Are the Peak Timings for Darb Toll Gates During Ramadan?
- Who Is Exempted from the Darb Fee?
- How Can You Apply for Darb’s Exemption?
- Darb Contact Information
- Darb Office working hours
1. What Is Darb?
Darb is a toll gates system in Abu Dhabi applied on the 2nd of January, 2021. The goal of this system is to reduce traffic jams across the emirate and encourage residents to use public transportation more to eliminate congestion.
Besides, it’s a smart system as they are using automated toll gates and sensors instead of the actual gates; this is to save your time and effort so you don’t pay in person through each gate.
In addition, the registration on Darb toll gates’ system isn’t only for Abu Dhabi’s residents but also for any UAE residents who pass through any of its toll gates.
2. How Does Darb’s Toll Gates System Work?
The Darb toll gates system works with the latest technologies; the toll gates are automated so once you pass through any of them, your vehicle is identified through its plate number; then a specified fee is deducted from your account’s wallet.
In addition, you don’t need to place any tags on your vehicle as the plate number is enough. The process is so easy and hassle free to ease everything for you.
3. Where Are Darb Toll Gates Located?
Darb toll gates are located across the four bridges that are leading to Abu Dhabi; the gates are positioned on:
- Sheikh Zayed Bridge
- Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Bridge
- Al Maqtaa Bridge
- Mussafah Bridge.
4. What’s Abu Dhabi toll gate timing?
In Abu Dhabi, drivers should take note of the Abu Dhabi toll gate timings. Charges are applied only during peak hours, set from 07:00 am to 09:00 am and again from 05:00 pm to 07:00 pm, from Monday to Saturday. The good news is you won’t face any DARB charges outside these designated times on weekdays. So, plan your journeys wisely!
5. When Is Darb Fee Collected and What Are the Peak Hours?
Darb’s toll fee is collected daily during the peak hours only. This means if you pass through the gates’ locations at other times of the day, you won’t be charged.
Here are Darb toll gates’ peak hours:
- Morning peak timings: 7 am – 9 am
- Evening peak timings: 5 pm – 7 pm
6. How Much Is Darb Fee?
Darb’s fee is the same during the morning and evening peak hours. Besides, you should pay the charges for each time you pass from Darb’s toll gates.
- Darb Fee: AED 4
7. What is The Main Difference Between Salik and DARB?
Salik in Dubai, Abu Dhabi’s toll gate system, DARB, uses RFID technology to automate toll collection. However, they operate differently. Salik relies on tags placed on vehicle windscreens, while DARB uses vehicle number plates to collect toll charges.
Are you Moving to Dubai? Get to Know More About Salik in Dubai From Here
8. How Do You Register for a Darb Account?
You can effortlessly register for an account through Darb’s official website or mobile application. Besides, in order to register you must prepare the following documents:
- The traffic code number
- Your Emirates ID
- Mobile number registered in the traffic file
- Active personal email address.
Here is how you can register for an account through Darb toll gates system step by step:
- Firstly, you should download Darb toll gates mobile application or open its official website to start registering
- Press on the “Create New Account” section
- Then select the service type “Individual”
- Now, enter your email address
- Afterwards, you will receive an OTP on the email, which you should enter immediately
- Choose the emirate where your vehicle is registered
- Enter your vehicle’s traffic code number
- Choose the registered mobile number
- Enter the OTP message which you will get on your mobile
- Assign your password and confirm it
- Finally, the online registration on Darb toll gates system is done.
9. How Can You Top Up Your Darb Account’s Wallet?
You can top up your wallet through logging in to your Darb’s account. Here are the different ways to do it after logining in:
- You can press on the “Top-up” button which is beside your wallet’s name.
- From the vehicles page, just press on any of your vehicles and the system will enable you to top up the chosen wallet.
- You can also charge your wallet from the profile page by pressing on your name at the top right of the display.
Moreover, if you’re still wondering how to recharge your account through Darb toll gates system, it’s through topping up your wallet; it’s the same process.
Before passing through Darb toll gates, you can easily check your balance through your account to avoid any violations.
10. How Can You Pay Darb’s Toll Gate Fee?
Paying Darb’s fee is through topping up your account’s wallet; then the fee will be automatically deducted whenever you pass through any of its toll gates.
In addition, you can recharge your Darb’s wallet from your account through the website or the mobile app using your credit/debit card.
11. Do You Need a Darb Account for Each Vehicle You Have?
No, you don’t as you can insert more than one vehicle for the same account. Besides, Darb’s website is connected to the Federal Traffic System so whenever you have a new car it will appear on the system.
12. How Can You Know About Your Darb’s Fines?
You can easily know about your Darb’s fines by checking your account through the website or the mobile application.
13. How Much Does the Vehicle Registration Cost?
The total registration fee is AED 100 per vehicle; it’s divided into AED 50 for the registration and AED 50 as a balance in your account’s wallet.
14. How Can You Avoid Paying Darb’s Fines?
There are a number of violations regarding Darb’s system if you did any of them, you will be penalised.
To avoid paying any fines, you should stick to Darb’s toll gates rules and don’t make any of the following violations:
- Didn’t Register on the System.
When you pass through any of Darb toll gates without registering, they give you a grace period of 10 working days to register; if you didn’t, it will be a violation.
- Violation Costs:
- AED 100 (first time)
- AED 200 (second time)
- AED 400 (third time)
These times are counted for each time you pass through any of the toll gates after the end of the grace period.
- Don’t Have Enough Credit in Your Wallet.
If your vehicle’s plate doesn’t belong to Abu Dhabi and you passed through Darb’s toll gate without enough balance in your wallet, you will have a grace period of 5 days to recharge; in case you didn’t, it’s considered a violation.
- Violation Costs:
- AED 50
For Abu Dhabi’s residents, in case you didn’t have enough credit while passing from a toll gate, you will pay the total fee before renewing, waiving, cancelling, exporting, or amending your vehicle at the Driver Licensing Department.
- Tampering Your Vehicle’s Licence Plate.
In case you tamper with the vehicle’s licence plate in order to avoid paying Darb’s fee, you will be penalised.
- Violation Costs:
- AED 10,000
- Causing a Damage.
You will be charged a fine if you cause damage to any toll gate or electronic payment machine.
- Violation Costs:
- AED 10,000
15. When is the DARB toll-free?
The DARB toll is free on Sundays and public holidays and there are no charges during non-peak hours on weekdays during specific hours: from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM and from 7:00 PM to 7:00 AM the following morning. The maximum daily DARB fee is AED 16.
16. What Are the Peak Timings for Darb Toll Gates During Ramadan?
In Ramadan, the peak hours change; however, the fee is the same. Find below the charging timings during the Holy month:
- Morning peak hours: 8 am – 10 am
- Evening peak hours: 2 pm – 4 pm.
17. Who Is Exempted from the Darb Fee?
There are some categories who are free from paying Darb’s fee; here is the list:
- People of determination
- Emirati families with limited income
- Senior citizens (aged 60 and above)
- Retired citizens.
18. Can I enter Abu Dhabi without DARB?
No, you can’t, as entering Abu Dhabi without registering for DARB can result in fines. If you pass through a toll gate without registration, you’ll be fined AED 100 for the first instance, AED 200 for the second, and AED 300 for the third and subsequent instances. It’s essential to register your vehicle to avoid these penalties.
19. How Can You Apply for Darb’s Exemption?
You can apply for exemption through the website or application. Moreover, the exemption request for the four categories is limited to only one vehicle.
Here are the steps you should follow to submit an exemption request:
- You have to register for an account through Darb’s website or the mobile application
- Through your account, apply for exemption and choose the type of category
- Then, submit the required documents.
20. Can You Contact Darb in Abu Dhabi?
Yes, surely you can contact them. The Darb toll gates have a customer care system to easily reach them.
Here is the contact numbers and information of Darb:
- Toll free number: 800 850
- Email: customer.care@itc.gov.ae
21. What Are the Working Hours of the Darb’s Office?
You can reach them at Darb’s office in Abu Dhabi for any inquiries or requests. Here is the office’s opening hours and address:
- Location: On Al Khor street, Rabdan, Abu Dhabi.
- Working Hours:
- Monday – Thursday: 7:30 am – 3:30 pm
- Fridays: 7:30am – 12 pm
- Saturdays: off
You have all the information you need about Darb in Abu Dhabi after this full guide; you can save its link to get back to any detail whenever you need.
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