Abu Dhabi Darb toll fines 2026: Four violations and penalties explained

Abu Dhabi: The Integrated Transport Centre (ITC), an affiliate of the Department of Municipalities and Transport, has set out four types of violations under the capital’s road toll gate system. 

ITC said the offences include failure to register a vehicle, insufficient balance, tampering with number plates, and causing damage to toll infrastructure. The rules apply to users of the “Darb” toll system, which operates at peak hours on key routes into the city.

Failure to register a vehicle before passing through toll gates triggers a graduated penalty system. 

Motorists are given a 10-working-day grace period to register after their first crossing. If they fail to do so, a fine of Dh100 is applied for the first day of violation, rising to Dh200 on a second day and Dh400 on a third, regardless of the number of crossings on each day.

Drivers with insufficient balance face a Dh50 fine if their vehicle passes through toll gates during peak hours without adequate funds in the Darb wallet. The penalty is applied after a five-working-day grace period and currently targets vehicles with number plates issued outside Abu Dhabi.

More serious violations carry heavier penalties. Tampering with a vehicle’s licence plate to evade toll charges, or damaging toll equipment, results in a fine of Dh10,000 in each case, with responsibility falling on the vehicle owner.

The system also notifies motorists of violations via text message, detailing the nature of the offence in line with approved regulations. 

Toll gates are located on the main bridges leading into Abu Dhabi, including Sheikh Zayed Bridge, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Bridge, Al Maqta Bridge and Mussafah Bridge, all of which serve as key entry points to the city.