Salik Fee Exemption for People of Determination: Complete Guide in Dubai

Salik is Dubai’s electronic toll collection system that charges vehicles when passing through toll gates. Everyone is required to pay these toll fees. To facilitate people of determination, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) gives toll exemptions. This Salik fee exception can reduce travel costs for eligible people with disabilities and their vehicles. Whether you are a family member, caregiver, or friend travelling with a disabled person, you can enjoy smooth travel across the city.

In this blog, we will discuss the Salik fee, who is eligible, how to apply, and what documents are required.

What Is Salik and How Does It Work?

The Dubai Roads and Transport Authority launched Salik, an electronic toll system designed to ensure smoother vehicular movement and manage traffic flow. Salik uses RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology that automatically identifies vehicles passing through eight toll gates across the city.

The eight active Salik toll gates are:

1. Al Safa
2. Al Barsha (near Mall of the Emirates)
3. Al Garhoud (near Dubai Creek)
4. Al Maktoum Bridge
5. Airport Tunnel
6. Al Mamzar
7. Business Bay Crossing
8. Floating Bridge (Al Jadaf)

At each gate, drivers are automatically charged AED 6 per crossing. The system requires a Salik tag installed on the vehicle’s windshield, which is linked to a prepaid account that gets debited each time you pass through a toll gate.

How Charges Work:

• AED 6 per gate crossing (one direction)
• Automatic deduction from prepaid Salik account
• No manual payment – fully automated system
• Multiple crossings = multiple charges (passing through 3 gates = AED 18)

What Is the Salik Fee Exemption for People of Determination?

The Government of Dubai provides a complete 100% toll fee waiver for people of determination to support accessibility and inclusion across the emirate. Dubai’s toll operator, Salik, has identified specific categories of disabilities that qualify individuals for complete exemption from road toll fees at all eight Salik gates.

What “Exemption” Means:

• You pay AED 0 (zero) when passing through any Salik gate
• 100% waiver – not a discount or reduction
• Valid across all 8 toll gates in Dubai
• No limit on number of daily crossings

Annual Savings Example: A person crossing 2 gates daily (commute to work):

• Without exemption: AED 6,336 per year
• With exemption: AED 0
• Total annual savings: AED 6,336

Exempted Vehicle Categories in Dubai:

1. Vehicles registered to people of determination (or their first/second-degree relatives)
2. Public transport services (buses, metro feeder buses)
3. Emergency vehicles (police, ambulance, civil defense)
4. Government vehicles (official RTA and government fleet)

Who Is Eligible for Salik Fee Exemption?

People of determination, along with their first or second-degree relatives, can apply for this benefit. The exemption covers four main categories of disabilities recognized by the UAE government:

Eligible Disability Categories:

1. Physical Disabilities
   • Mobility impairments requiring wheelchairs, crutches, or walking aids
   • Limb disabilities or amputations
   • Paralysis or limited physical function
2. Intellectual Disabilities
   • Developmental delays
   • Cognitive impairments
   • Down syndrome and similar conditions
3. Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)
   • All levels of autism spectrum
   • Asperger’s syndrome
   • Pervasive developmental disorders
4. Visual Impairments
   • Complete blindness
   • Partial vision loss
   • Legally blind individuals

Note: Hearing impairments alone are not currently listed as eligible categories for Salik exemption, though they qualify for other UAE disability benefits. Verify with RTA if you have hearing impairment combined with other conditions.

Eligibility Criteria for People of Determination

To apply for the Salik fee exemption, people of determination must meet these requirements:

1. Valid People of Determination (POD) Card

• Must possess a valid POD card issued by the UAE Ministry of Community Development
• Card must be current and not expired
• Disability must fall within the four recognized categories above

2. Vehicle Ownership Connection: An exemption can be granted if the person of determination either owns the vehicle or is directly related to the vehicle owner as a first or second-degree relative.

3. One Vehicle Per Person: The exemption applies to only one vehicle per eligible individual, which may be owned by the person of determination or by their:

• Parent (first-degree)
• Spouse (first-degree)
• Child (first-degree)
• Sibling (first-degree)
• Grandparent (second-degree)
• Grandchild (second-degree)

4. Personal Use Only The vehicle must be for personal/family transportation use, not commercial purposes.

Who Is Not Eligible?

Not everyone qualifies for the Salik fee exemption. The following are excluded:

1. Commercial Vehicles

• Taxis, ride-sharing vehicles, delivery vans
• Company fleet vehicles (unless registered to eligible individual)
• Rental cars (short-term rentals)

2. Vehicles Not Registered to Eligible Persons

• Cars registered to third-degree relatives (cousins, uncles, aunts)
• Vehicles owned by friends or unrelated caregivers
• Company-owned cars (unless the person of determination is the registered owner)

3. Expired or Invalid POD Cards

• If your POD card has expired, exemption becomes invalid immediately

4. Non-UAE Residents

• Tourists and visitors cannot apply (even if they have disabilities)
• Only UAE residents with Emirates ID qualify

Required Documents for Salik Fee Exemption

Prepare these documents before applying to avoid delays or rejection:

Essential Documents:

1. Emirates ID
   • Valid copy of the ID card of the applicant (person of determination)
   • Both sides must be clearly visible
   • Must not be expired
2. People of Determination (POD) Card
   • Issued by the Ministry of Community Development
   • Must be current and valid
   • Category must match one of the four eligible types
3. Vehicle Registration Card (Mulkiya)
   • Copy of the vehicle registration certificate
   • Must be in the name of the person of determination OR a first/second-degree relative
   • Must show current registration status
4. Proof of Relationship (if applicable)
   • Required if the vehicle is registered to a relative, not the person of determination directly
   • Acceptable documents:
     • Family book (Khulasat Al Qaid)
     • Birth certificate (for parent-child relationship)
     • Marriage certificate (for spouse)
     • Any official UAE government document showing the family connection
5. Salik Tag Number
   • Your vehicle’s existing Salik tag serial number
   • Found on the tag itself or in your Salik account

Optional but Recommended:

• Copy of valid UAE driving license (if person of determination drives)
• Passport copy (for identification verification)

Step-by-Step Process to Apply for Salik Fee Exemption

You can apply through two methods – online (faster) or in-person. Both are free of charge. 

Online Application Process

Processing Time: 5 working days

Step-by-Step:

1. Visit the official Salik website
   • Go to: https://www.salik.ae
   • Navigate to Services > Exemptions
2. Click on “Apply for the Exemption from Salik Fees”
   • Select “People of Determination” category
3. Create or Log Into Your Salik Account
   • If you don’t have an account, register first
   • Use your Emirates ID number and mobile number
4. Enter Personal and Vehicle Details
   • Person of determination’s Emirates ID number
   • Vehicle plate number and registration details
   • Salik tag number
   • Relationship to vehicle owner (if applicable)
5. Upload Required Documents
   • Scan or photograph all documents clearly
   • Ensure files are PDF or JPEG format, maximum 2MB each
   • Upload: Emirates ID, POD card, Mulkiya, proof of relationship
6. Review and Submit
   • Double-check all information for accuracy
   • Submit your request
   • Save your application reference number
7. Await Confirmation
   • You will receive confirmation via SMS and email within 5 working days
   • If approved, exemption activates immediately
   • If rejected, you’ll receive reasons and can reapply with corrections

Pro Tip: Apply during business hours (Sunday-Thursday, 8 AM – 4 PM) for faster processing.

Offline / In-Person Application 

Processing Time: 5-7 working days

Step-by-Step:

1. Download the Exemption Commitment Form
   • Visit https://www.salik.ae
   • Download the required exemption commitment form in advance
   • Print and fill out completely
2. Gather All Necessary Documents
   • Organize all required documents listed above
   • Make photocopies (keep originals for verification)
3. Visit an RTA Customer Happiness Centre
   • Locations available across Dubai:
     • Deira Customer Happiness Center (Al Ittihad Road)
     • Umm Ramool Customer Happiness Center
     • Al Barsha Customer Happiness Center
     • Driving License Centers also process these applications
   • Operating hours: Sunday-Thursday, 7:30 AM – 2:30 PM
4. Submit Form and Documents
   • Hand over the form and documents to the staff at the Exemption Services counter
   • Staff will verify your documents on the spot
5. Special Accounts Team Verification
   • The Special Accounts team will verify the documents within 5-7 business days
   • They may contact you if additional information is needed
6. Receive Approval Notification
   • Once approved, you will be notified via SMS or phone call
   • Exemption activates within 24 hours of approval

What to Bring:

• Original documents (for verification)
• Photocopies (to submit)
• Completed application form
• Emirates ID (physical card)

How Long Does the Exemption Remain Valid?

The exemption validity depends on your vehicle status and POD card validity:

For Brand New Vehicles:

The exemption is valid for 3 years if all these conditions are met:

• Car purchased from an authorized dealer in the UAE
• 0 km mileage (brand new, never used)
• The person of determination or eligible relative is the first owner

After 3 years, you must renew the exemption by following the same application process.

For Used or Previously Owned Vehicles:

The exemption is valid for 1 year initially, renewable annually.

Common Mistakes to Avoid During Application

These errors cause most application delays or rejections. Double-check before submitting:

1. Uploading Incorrect or Incomplete Documents

Common mistakes:

• Blurry or unclear photocopies
• Expired Emirates ID or POD card
• Missing pages (e.g., uploading only front of Emirates ID, not back)
• Wrong file format (must be PDF or JPEG, not HEIC or other formats)
• Files too large (must be under 2MB)

Solution:

• Use a scanner app for clear, high-quality scans
• Verify all documents are current and not expired
• Include both sides of ID cards
• Compress files if needed before uploading

2. Applying with Ineligible Vehicles

Common mistakes:

• Commercial vehicle registration (taxi, delivery van)
• Vehicle registered to ineligible relative (cousin, uncle, friend)
• Rental car (temporary rentals don’t qualify)
• Company fleet vehicle (unless directly owned by person of determination)

Solution:

• Verify vehicle Mulkiya shows personal ownership by you or first/second-degree relative
• Transfer vehicle ownership to eligible relative if needed before applying

3. Missing Proof of Relationship

Common mistake:

• Assuming RTA will automatically know family relationships
• Not providing family book or marriage certificate when vehicle is registered to parent/spouse

Solution:

• Always include official proof of relationship if vehicle isn’t in person of determination’s name
• Use Family Book (Khulasat Al Qaid) – easiest proof of relationship

4. Missing Renewal Deadlines

Common mistakes:

• Forgetting to renew Mulkiya on time (blocks Traffic File)
• Letting POD card expire (invalidates exemption immediately)
• Assuming exemption auto-renews (it doesn’t – you must reapply every 1-3 years)

Solution:

• Set calendar reminders 2 months before:
  • Mulkiya expiry date
  • POD card expiry date
  • Exemption renewal date (1 or 3 years from approval)
• Apply for renewals early to avoid coverage gaps

5. Not Clearing Outstanding Fines Before Applying

Common mistake:

• Applying while having unpaid Salik or RTA fines (causes automatic rejection)

Solution:

• Check for outstanding fines before applying:
  • Visit RTA website or app
  • Check Salik account for any pending charges
  • Pay all fines before submitting exemption application

Benefits of Salik Fee Exemption for People of Determination

Reduced transportation costs

Salik fee exemption helps to lower daily travel expenses for people with disabilities. It makes regular commuting more affordable for People of Determination.

Greater independence and mobility

With zero travel costs at toll gates, individuals can move around more freely without relying heavily on others or worrying about accumulating toll expenses.

Easier access to work, healthcare, and social activities

The exemption makes it simpler to travel for jobs, medical appointments, and social engagements, encouraging active participation in community life without financial barriers.

Need Help with Accessible Transportation?

While the Salik exemption covers toll fees for your personal vehicle, some people of determination may also need accessible vehicle solutions.

MobilityExpress Supports People of Determination:

If you need wheelchair-accessible transportation options, MobilityExpress offers:

• Wheelchair-accessible vehicle rentals (daily, weekly, monthly)
• High-quality wheelchair lifts and restraint systems
• Free delivery and maintenance of rental vehicles in Dubai
• Vehicles compatible with Salik exemption (when rented long-term with proper registration)

Frequently Asked Questions