The NOL card is a daily necessity that Dubai commuters use for public transportation – whether it be the Dubai Metro train or the bus. Normally, you will be able to check the balance of your NOL card by tapping it before entering the train platforms.
But what if you simply wanted to check the remaining credits and you’re nowhere near the metro but you can access the internet? You can surely visit the NOL Card Balance checker feature on the RTA website. To guide you, here are 3 easy steps to check your NOL card balance online.
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Related Article: List of Fines in the Dubai Metro
Guide to Checking Remaining Credits in Your NOL Card Online
Here’s a step-by-step process on the easiest way to check the remaining balance of your RTA nol card. Please be guided accordingly:
1. Go to the RTA Website or click this Balance Checker link – https://www.rta.ae/wpsv5/wps/portal/NolBalance?SwitchToLatestLocale=true
On the website, go to: RTA Homepage > Public transport > NOL > View NOL Card Balance — It’s much easier to just use the balance checker link above.
2. Fill out the form with your card number. The NOL card number is located at the back of your card.
3.Type the security code shown on the image and click the Check option. The balance on the card will be shown at the bottom of the page.
That’s it! Pretty easy and a good tip to remember just so you know you have this option.
Public transportation in Dubai has become accessible to commuters. The NOL card is an important commodity to conveniently access these transport services offered by the Road & Transport Authority (RTA). So it is important that you keep it loaded at all times. Otherwise, you will worry about where you’re going to top it up when there is no machine nearby.
More importantly, please make sure that you tap your NOL card especially in the buses. Remember that there is a fine of about 200 AED if the system shows that you did not tap your card in the machine.
Did you know that there are different types of NOL Cards, and that they can be used for other things besides paying for transportation? Keep reading to learn more about your NOL card!
Benefits of NOL Cards
The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) introduced the NOL Card as a means of paying for public transport across Dubai. Cash is not accepted as payment for riding the Metro, Buses or, Water Buses. Eventually, the NOL card has expanded beyond transportation purposes, and getting your own card enables you to enjoy the following benefits:
- Travel around Dubai across different modes of transport
- No need to carry cash or worry about getting exact change
- Enjoy low cost fares and easily pay for parking
- Enjoy concession fares (for students, people of determination, and senior citizens)
- Pay for food, groceries, and other items in authorized shops and sales agents
Types of NOL Cards
There are different types of NOL Cards, each with its own top-up limit and validity period. Choose one that fits your daily transport needs and preferences:
1. Silver Card
The NOL Silver Card is dubbed as “the perfect starter card” and is great for first-time users. You can buy it from any ticket office for just AED 25 (including AED 19 e-purse value). The top-up limit for this card is AED 1000, and it is valid for up to 5 years.
2. Gold Card
The NOL Gold Card has similar features as the silver one, but with the added perk of getting privileged access to the Metro’s Gold Class seats. Available for just AED 25 (including AED 19 e-purse value), this card has a top-up limit of AED 500 and is valid for up to 5 years.
3. Blue Card
The NOL Blue Card is actually a personalized smart card that you can buy for AED 70 (including AED 20 e-purse value). It offers secure online services for topping-up, and you can use it to recover your balance in case your card gets lost or stolen.
This card is also required for concession fares (i.e. students, senior citizens, people of determination). It has a top-up limit of AED 5000 and is valid for up to 5 years.
4. Red Ticket
The NOL Red Ticket is a paper-based ticket that you can buy for just AED 2. You can use it when traveling occasionally, taking just one mode of transport at a time. This card can be loaded with up to 10 single journeys or 5 daily passes, and is valid for up to 90 days.
5. Customised Card
The NOL Customised Card features 16 Dubai-inspired designs that you can choose from. You can buy it for AED 30, and it can be used for concession fares. This card has a top-up limit of AED 1000 and is valid for up to 5 years.
Requirements for Concession Fares
Concession fares is specifically allotted for students, people of determination, and senior citizens (Emiratis). When applying for a NOL Card, you will need to present these documents:
1. Students
- National ID
- Stamped letter from school/college/university stating your name, student ID number, education level, and academic year
2. People Of Determination
- National ID
- Copy of your permanent disability card issued by authorized entity
3. Senior Citizens (Emiratis)
- National ID
Using NOL Card for Transport
You can use the NOL Card as payment for using public transportation and parking:
1. Travel Across Dubai
The NOL Card comes in handy whenever you need to use public transport modes, namely the Metro, Tram, Buses, and Water Buses. The fare is calculated and deducted automatically from your e-purse, depending on the number of zones you travel on across Dubai. You can also use your card when making “transfers” between Buses and the Metro during your trip.
To use your card on the Metro, simply tap it on the Metro gates before entering and exiting the station. When riding a Bus, tap your card on the bus validators before boarding and alighting the vehicle. Similarly, when riding the Tram, tap your card on the card reader machine before boarding and after getting-off the Tram.
2. Ride the Water Bus
You can buy a NOL Red Ticket at any marine ticket office in Water Bus stations across Dubai. You can top it up for up to 10 trips and use it at any Water Bus in the city.
Meanwhile, if you have a NOL Silver, Gold, or Blue Card, you will need to add value to your e-purse before riding a Water Bus. Keep in mind that “transfers” from/to Water Buses are not applicable, and that there’s a maximum time limit of 3 hours for Water Bus trips.
3. Pay for Parking
If you have a NOL Silver, Gold, or Blue Card, simply add value to your e-purse before using it for paid parking. Tap it on the parking meter machine to make your payment.
Using NOL Card for Non-Transport
As mentioned earlier, you can use the NOL Card for non-transport purposes, as follows:
1. Buy Food and Groceries
Use your card as “Micro-Payment” when making purchases at Aster Pharmacy, Burger King, Carrefour, Gloria Jeans, Lulu Hypermarket, Spinneys, Zoom, and many other authorized shops and sales agents. Simply tap it on the card reader machine.
2. Fill up on Petrol
Use your NOL card as payment when filling up on petrol at ENOC gas stations and EPCO gas stations.
3. Visit Parks, Gardens, and Museums
You can use your card when visiting public gardens like Al Khor Park, Al Mamzar Park, and Quranic Park, as well as to enter museums like Al Shindagha Museum and Etihad Museum. Simply tap it on the card reader machine at the entrance of the park or museum.
Ways to Top-Up Your NOL Card
There are multiple ways to top-up your NOL Card. Here are the channels where you can add money to it:
1. RTA Website
Go to the official website of the RTA and follow the on-screen instructions.
2. RTA Mobile App
The RTA Mobile App includes over 40 services and features that every driver and passenger would find useful. You can use it to top-up your NOL Card as well. Simply download the mobile app on the App Store, Google Play, and Windows Store.
3. Service Centres
Below are service centres where you can top-up your card:
- Vending Machines available at all Dubai Metro and Bus stations
- Solar-powered Machines available at selected Bus stops
- Smart Teller Devices available at all RTA Customer Happiness Centres
4. Authorised Sales Agents
There are more than 2000 authorized shops and sales agents where you can top-up your NOL Card.
5. Banks
You can top-up your NOL Card at Emirates NBD and Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank branches.
DISCLAIMER: The above guide is presented for information-sharing purposes only. To know more about the NOL Card and its features, please visit the official website of the Roads and Transport Authority or RTA.