Abu Dhabi Postpones Implementation of Road Toll to 2021

Abu Dhabi’s Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT) and Integrated Transport Centre (ITC) had initially planned to implement its road toll system at the beginning of 2020, but now has decided to postpone this to 2021. The emirates’s road toll system, which is similar to the Salik system in Dubai involves imposition of toll on vehicles which pass through four tollgates which have been set up on busy roads in Abu Dhabi. The toll will be automatically deducted when a vehicle passes through the toll gates.

The system was supposed to start functioning from January 2020 and the government had decided to delay this by three months so that all road users could sign up. On March 16, the government announced via Twitter that all vehicles would be exempt from road tolls to the end of 2020.

The road toll charges would come into effect only in early 2021. The four tollgates have been set up on
Sheikh Zayed road, Sheikh Khalifa road, Al Maqtaa bridge and in Mussafah.

The toll amounting to AED 4 would be charged only during peak hours (from 7am to 9am and 5pm to 7pm, Saturday to Thursday). During all other times, including Fridays and public holidays, motorists can pass through the toll gates without being charged. The maximum toll charge will be capped at AED 16 per vehicle on a daily basis. Motorists who fail to pay the toll can face face fines of up to Dhs10,000.

Emiratis over 60, people of determination, limited-income Emiratis and Emirati retirees as well as llicensed taxis in Abu Dhabi, tow trucks, public buses and school buses are exempt from toll charges.