Quick answer
- Darb, Abu Dhabi’s toll gate system, charges AED 4 per crossing.
- Abu Dhabi Mobility lists Darb peak hours as 7am to 9am and 3pm to 7pm, except Sundays and official holidays.
- Two Darb gates added on 4 May 2026, Ghantoot on Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Street and Al Qurm on Wahat Al Karama Street, were announced to operate 24/7.
- Driving through a Darb gate with an unregistered vehicle leads to a fine of AED 100, rising to AED 200 and then AED 400 for repeat offences, after a 10 working day grace period.
The Darb toll gates in Abu Dhabi charge AED 4 per crossing, and the network grew to include two new gates at Ghantoot and Al Qurm from 4 May 2026. This guide, checked against Abu Dhabi Mobility’s official Darb page on 1 November 2026, covers the gates, charging hours, exemptions and fines that matter to anyone driving in the capital.
How the Darb toll gates in Abu Dhabi work
Darb is run by the Integrated Transport Centre, also known as Abu Dhabi Mobility. There are no booths to stop at. Gates read your vehicle as you drive under them, and the AED 4 fee is taken from your Darb account. Owners manage their accounts through the official Darb portal at darb.itc.gov.ae.
According to the official Darb page from Abu Dhabi Mobility, the toll applies in two peak windows every day except Sundays and official holidays. The same page now lists no daily toll cap and no maximum monthly limit, so every chargeable crossing counts.
| Darb detail | What applies |
|---|---|
| Fee per crossing | AED 4 |
| Morning peak | 7am to 9am |
| Evening peak | 3pm to 7pm |
| Days with no peak charge | Sundays and official holidays |
| Daily cap | None listed |
| Monthly cap | None listed |
The two newest Darb gates: Ghantoot and Al Qurm
On 22 April 2026 the Integrated Transport Centre announced two new gates through the Abu Dhabi Media Office. They started on 4 May 2026, charge AED 4 per crossing and were announced to operate 24/7. The centre said the locations were picked after traffic studies on congestion, travel patterns and nearby alternative roads, and that the gates are run together with Q-Mobility.
| Gate | Location | Alternative route named by ITC |
|---|---|---|
| Ghantoot | Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Street, Ghantoot | Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Street |
| Al Qurm | Wahat Al Karama Street, at the entrance and exit of Sheikh Zayed Street | Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Street or Arabian Gulf Street |
Because the announcement for these two gates says 24/7 while the general Darb page lists peak windows, check the charging times shown in your Darb account if you pass Ghantoot or Al Qurm outside peak hours.
Who does not pay Darb
Some vehicles are exempt automatically, with no request needed. These include ambulances, armed forces and civil defence vehicles, public transport buses, motorcycles, licensed taxis, licensed school buses, passenger buses with 26 or more seats, Abu Dhabi Police and other police vehicles, and trailers.
Four groups can apply for an exemption for one vehicle each: people of determination, limited income families, senior citizens and retired citizens.
Darb fines
| Violation | Fine |
|---|---|
| Unregistered vehicle, first offence (after 10 working days grace) | AED 100 |
| Unregistered vehicle, second offence | AED 200 |
| Unregistered vehicle, third and later offences | AED 400 |
| Not enough balance, vehicles registered outside Abu Dhabi (after 5 working days) | AED 50 per crossing |
| Tampering with a number plate to avoid the toll | AED 10,000 |
| Damaging toll gates or payment machines | AED 10,000 |
Abu Dhabi Mobility also sets limits on Darb fines. A single violation fine cannot exceed AED 10,000 per vehicle owner, and total fines for one vehicle cannot exceed AED 25,000 within a year of the first violation.
Practical tips for Darb drivers
- Keep your Darb wallet topped up before a trip to Abu Dhabi. Visitors from other emirates face AED 50 per crossing once the five working day grace period runs out.
- Plan school and office runs around the 7am to 9am and 3pm to 7pm windows if your route has flexible timing.
- Use the alternative routes named by the ITC if you want to skip the Ghantoot or Al Qurm gates.
- Driving between Dubai and Abu Dhabi? Add up Salik and Darb costs before you leave with our Salik and parking trip calculator, and see every Dubai gate on our Salik gates tracker.
Driving in the capital this year? Read about the Musaffah Road upgrades with a new expressway and bridges.
FAQs
How much is the Darb toll in Abu Dhabi?
Darb charges AED 4 per crossing. Abu Dhabi Mobility’s official Darb page lists no daily cap and no monthly maximum, so each chargeable crossing is billed.
What are the Darb peak hours?
The official Darb page lists 7am to 9am and 3pm to 7pm as peak periods. These do not apply on Sundays and official holidays.
Where are the new Darb gates?
The Ghantoot gate is on Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Street in Ghantoot, and the Al Qurm gate is on Wahat Al Karama Street at the entrance and exit of Sheikh Zayed Street. Both started on 4 May 2026 and were announced to operate 24/7.
What is the fine for not registering with Darb?
After a grace period of 10 working days, an unregistered vehicle is fined AED 100 for the first offence, AED 200 for the second and AED 400 for each offence after that.
Who is exempt from Darb?
Emergency, police and military vehicles, public buses, motorcycles, licensed taxis and school buses are exempt automatically. People of determination, limited income families, senior citizens and retired citizens can request an exemption for one vehicle.
More for drivers: UAE Driving Guide
