Crossed a Darb toll gate in an unregistered car? What happens in 2026

Updated October 2026. Fees, gates and fines checked against Abu Dhabi Mobility (Integrated Transport Centre) pages and announcements.

Darb is Abu Dhabi’s road toll system, run by the Integrated Transport Centre (ITC), part of Abu Dhabi Mobility. If you drive through a Darb toll gate in a car that is not registered on Darb, you are not fined straight away: you get a grace period to register. The rules changed in 2025 and 2026, including two new gates near the Dubai border that charge around the clock, so here is what applies now.

What happens if I cross a Darb toll gate without registering?

The gate cameras record your plate. You then have ten working days from the first crossing to register the vehicle on Darb. If you register within that time, no unregistered-vehicle fine is issued.

If you do not register in time, fines start from the date of the crossing:

Total Darb fines on one vehicle are capped at AED 25,000 in the year from the first violation. Gulf News reports that the unregistered-vehicle fines are counted per day rather than per crossing.

How much does Darb cost in 2026?

• Toll: AED 4 per crossing.
• Bridge gates (peak hours only): Monday to Saturday, 7am to 9am and 3pm to 7pm. Crossings outside these hours, on Sundays and on public holidays are free.
• No caps: the old daily cap of AED 16 and the monthly caps were removed on 1 September 2025, when the evening peak was also extended to start at 3pm.

Where are the Darb toll gates?

The original gates

The first gates sit on the main bridges onto Abu Dhabi Island: Sheikh Zayed Bridge, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Bridge, Al Maqta Bridge and Mussafah Bridge.

Two new gates from 4 May 2026

ITC activated two new gates on 4 May 2026:

• Ghantoot, on Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Street near the Dubai border
• Al Qurm, on Wahat Al Karama Street at the entrance and exit of Sheikh Zayed Street

These two gates charge AED 4 per crossing, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. That matters for anyone driving between Dubai and Abu Dhabi on the coastal road. ITC names Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Street as the alternative route to the Ghantoot gate.

Do cars from Dubai need to register on Darb?

Yes. Darb applies to every vehicle that uses the gates, whichever emirate issued the plates. If your car is registered in Dubai or another emirate, set up a Darb account before your first trip, and keep enough balance in the wallet. If you live in Abu Dhabi, check that your vehicles appear in your Darb account.

How do I register a car on Darb?

1. Go to the Darb website, the Darb app or the TAMM platform.
2. Create an individual account and verify your email and mobile number.
3. Enter your Emirates ID or traffic file number and add your vehicles.
4. Add a payment card and top up your wallet. Turning on auto top-up avoids balance fines.

An AED 100 registration charge has been widely reported, of which AED 50 goes into your wallet as credit.

What about rental cars and visitors?

Rental cars are normally registered by the rental company, which pays the toll and bills you later, often with an admin fee. Check your rental agreement for Darb and Salik terms before you drive to Abu Dhabi.

Who is exempt from Darb?

Some vehicles are exempt automatically, including ambulances, police, armed forces and civil defence vehicles, public buses, Abu Dhabi taxis, school buses, buses with 26 or more seats, and motorcycles. People of determination, senior citizens, retired citizens and limited-income families can apply to exempt one vehicle each.

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Frequently asked questions

Is there a grace period for Darb registration?

Yes. You have ten working days from your first crossing to register the vehicle on Darb before an unregistered-vehicle fine is issued.

What is the fine for crossing Darb unregistered?

AED 100 for the first violation, AED 200 for the second and AED 400 for the third and later ones, after the ten-working-day grace period.

Is Darb free on Sundays?

The bridge gates are free on Sundays and public holidays. The Ghantoot and Al Qurm gates, opened on 4 May 2026, charge AED 4 at all times.

Is there still a daily cap on Darb?

No. The daily and monthly caps were removed on 1 September 2025, so every peak-hour crossing costs AED 4.

Do Dubai cars pay Darb?

Yes. Any vehicle crossing a Darb gate is charged, whichever emirate issued its plates, and needs a Darb account.