Abu Dhabi toll gates take effect: Everything you need to know

The four toll gates in Abu Dhabi will be start charging a fee starting Thursday, January 2, 2020.

Here’s everything you need to know –

* There are four toll gates located at Sheikh Zayed Bridge, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Bridge, Al Maqtaa Bridge and Mussafah Bridge

* Tolls will only be charged during the peak hours, from 7am – 9am and 5pm-7pm from Saturday to Thursday

* Motorists will be charged Dhs4 per crossing, capped at Dhs16 per day and Dhs200 per month for private vehicles

* Certain categories will also be exempt from the toll, including senior Emiratis (aged over 60), people of determination, limited-income Emiratis and Emirati retirees, taxis licenced in Abu Dhabi, towed vehicles, public buses and school buses> Motorbikes are also exempt

* Registration has to be done online. Motorists will have to pay Dhs100 to register their vehicle, of which Dhs50 will be credited back to their account

FINES

* In case a vehicle which is not registered crosses under the toll gates, the user will be given a grace period of 10 business days, starting from the crossing time, to register in the system, otherwise a fine applies

* The fine will be Dhs100 for the first day, Dhs200 for the second day, and Dhs400 for the third day, up to a maximum of Dhs10,000

* For vehicles registered outside Abu Dhabi with insufficient credit available in their user account, drivers have five business days to top up the account or they will face a fine

* Crossing under the toll gates without sufficient balance after the grace period deadline will result in a fine of Dhs50 each day.

* In case users tamper with the vehicle’s license plate for the explicit purpose of evading the payment of fees, the fine is Dhs10,000

* Causing damage to any e-payment machines or toll gates will result in a fine of Dhs10,000

The system is hoped to help reduce traffic congestion in the UAE capital.