His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE, in his capacity as Ruler of Dubai, has issued Law No. 13 of 2014, amending some provisions of Law No. 22 of 2006 on the traffic tariff in the emirate.
The new law's first article replaces the third article of Law No. 22 of 2006, concerning the collection of Salik fees.
The move is part of the development of a legislative framework that organises operations related to the use of roads in Dubai, and it ensures that there is a clear legal provision for the settlement of financial accounts associated with any Salik cards which are not used for long periods of time.
According to Arabic daily 'Al Khaleej' the law is explained as follows:
- The new article stipulates that the RTA will collect Salik from the owner of the vehicle whenever passing through the toll gates.
- According to the law the deducted fees will be cut from the balance, per user account, whether the vehicle is registered in emirate of Dubai or not, and this is in accordance with procedures laid down in the regulations under this law.
- The third article of the new act states that the vehicle owner has the right to use the available balance in their Salik account within five years of the date of the last deduction from their balance; or the date of the last recharge of the account.
- This means the balance in the account is valid for five years and if the vehicle owner does not use the remaining balance within the five years, the amount remaining in the account will be written off after the specified period.