Tampering with a vehicle’s licence plate to avoid toll charges can lead to a Dh10,000 fine.
Abu Dhabi: The Integrated Transport Centre (ITC), an affiliate of the Department of Municipalities and Transport, has outlined 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 during peak hours on key routes into the city.
Failing 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 imposed for the first day of violation, increasing to Dh200 on the second day and Dh400 on the third, regardless of how many times the vehicle passes through toll gates on each day.
Drivers with insufficient balance face a Dh50 fine if their vehicle passes through toll gates during peak hours without enough funds in the Darb wallet. The penalty is applied after a five-working-day grace period and currently applies to vehicles with number plates issued outside Abu Dhabi.
More serious violations carry heavier penalties. Tampering with a vehicle’s licence plate to avoid toll charges, or damaging toll equipment, results in a Dh10,000 fine in each case, with responsibility placed on the vehicle owner.
The system also notifies motorists of violations by text message, outlining 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 key entry points into the city.
