Introduction
Dubai’s NOL Card is an essential travel companion for residents and visitors alike, offering a convenient and cashless way to pay for public transport across the city. Whether you’re commuting via the Dubai Metro, public buses, trams, or even water taxis, the NOL Card ensures a smooth and hassle-free journey. Apart from transportation, the card is also widely accepted for payments at parking meters, select retail stores, and even some government services, making it an indispensable part of daily life in Dubai. However, to avoid travel disruptions, it’s crucial to keep track of your NOL Card balance. Running out of balance unexpectedly can lead to delays and inconvenience, especially during peak hours. Fortunately, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) offers multiple ways to check your balance with ease. From online portals and mobile apps to SMS services and ticket vending machines, there are numerous ways to stay informed about your available balance. we’ll explore the different methods to check your NOL Card balance, ensuring you always have sufficient funds for a seamless travel experience in Dubai. Whether you’re a daily commuter or a first-time visitor, staying updated on your balance will help you make the most of Dubai’s efficient public transport system
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What is an NOL Card
The NOL Card Monthly Pass is an electronic ticketing system in Dubai that allows easy access to public transport, supermarkets, restaurants, and convenience stores. It is available in red, silver, gold, and blue types. It requires a recharged NOL card for use. For this, keep track of your balance. Funds are automatically deducted upon entrance.
- Secure and Reliable Transactions: Nol cards feature a tamper-proof chip and antenna, ensuring quick, secure, and reliable transactions.
- Versatile Acceptability: Nol cards can be used across all public transportation modes in Dubai, including metros, buses, trams, taxis, and marine transportation
- Ease of Procurement: Nol cards can be purchased from ticket vending machines, ticket offices, authorized sales partners, and RTA customer centers.
- User-Friendly Design: Nol cards are user-friendly. They require only a Nol card reader to validate and deduct the corresponding amount from the balance.
- Break from Wallets: Nol cards offer unlimited travel on all public modes of transportation, popular among tourists and daily commuters.
- Multi-Benefactor Aspect: Nol personal cards or blue cards offer concessions for various categories of passengers, including free travel on Dubai metro and buses, and 50% off fares for senior citizens and students.
Easy Ways to Check NOL Card Balance in 2025
It is very easy to check the balance of an NOL card. There are many methods. Some of them are given below:
People often check their NOL card balance for metro, buses, or parking, so it’s important to check if you also use the card for these activities.
- Go to the Official RTA Website Open a browser and navigate to the RTA official website.
- Locate “Check NOL Balance” Services: Navigate to the “Check nol Balance” section.
- Enter NOL Tag ID: Enter your 14-digit NOL tag ID number on the card’s back.
- Hit “Search” button: Enter your details and press the “Search” button.
- Check Your Balance: The website displays your current NOL card balance, pending credit amount, and expiry date
NOL Card Balance Check via SMS
To check your RTA Metro Card balance without internet access, you can perform a NOL card balance check via SMS by following these simple steps:
- Compose a new SMS: Open the messaging app on your mobile phone.
- Include your NOL Card ID: Type your 14-digit NOL card tag ID in the message body.
- Send the SMS: Enter the correct NOL tag and send it to “511”.
- Wait for the reply: Your mobile number will be registered with RTA after sending the SMS.
- Check NOL Balance: Send BAL to 511 to receive your current NOL balance.
How to Check NOL Card History?
The NOL Card, a Dubai-based smart card for public transportation, allows users to check its history, including transactions, trips, and top-up amounts. To access this information, users must first visit the NOL Card Transaction History page, enter their NOL Tag ID, and verify.
- Visit the NOL Card Transaction History page.
- Enter NOL Tag ID.
- Pass human verification.
- Click the Next button.
- Check balance history.
Types of NOL Cards
There are three types of NOL cards. NOL cards cater to different user needs, offering a personalized experience. The Silver Card is the basic option, provides essential transportation services. There is the Blue Card for specific groups, and the Red Card for users on occasions or for a short period of time. Each card offers different benefits.
| TYPES OF NOL CARDS | DESCRIPTION | KEY FEATURES |
| Silver card | The standard option for everyday travelers | Rechargeable, fare deductions, ideal for regular commuters |
| Gold card | Premium option with extra benefits | Access to premium seating, additional perks, more discounts |
| Blue Card | Special cards for students, seniors, and people with disabilities | Discounts, free rides, easy application, accessibility features |
| Red card | Temporary card for short-term users | Single-use, available at kiosks, non-rechargeable, for occasional travelers |
Nol Card Check 2025: How to Check Your Nol Card Validity and Balance?
- Check Nol Card balance via RTA website or app using your Nol tag ID.
- Verify Nol Card validity and expiry at Metro ticketing machines or counters.
- View transaction history online through the RTA website.
Validity
If you wish to check your Nol Card validity, visit any Dubai Metro stations ticketing machine or counter. Staff on site are available for you to check your card’s details, or provide information.
Nol Red Cards are good for 90 days; Nol Silver, Gold and Blue Cards are good for five years from the date of issuance. Tracking of your card’s validity invalidates uninterrupted journey in Dubai.
Balance
You have two ways of checking your Nol card balance:
- Via RTA Dubai Website
You can easily check your Nol Card balance online with every Nol Card having a Nol tag ID unique to it. All you have to do is:
- Visit the official Roads and Transport Authority website
- Click on the “Check Nol balance” section
- Enter your Nol tag ID (the 10-digit number on your card)
- Click “Search” to view your card balance.
Via RTA Dubai App
You can use the website as well as using the RTA Dubai app on your Android, Huawei, or iOS. Steps to check your balance using the application are mentioned below:
- Log in to the RTA Dubai App using your Nol user ID and password
- Tap on the “Check Nol Balance” option
- Enter your Nol Card number (found on the back of the card) into the “Nol Tag ID” field
- Select “View Balance” to see your current Nol Card balance.
History
All you need to do is online via the Nol website, check your Nol Card transaction history. Just follow the steps below:
- Head over to the RTA website at rta.ae/home
- Click on the “Public Transport” section
- Navigate to “Nol Cards and Services”
- Select “Nol Card transaction history“
- Enter your unique Nol Tag ID (the 10-digit number on your card)
- Click “Next” to view your transaction details
Expiry
At a Dubai Metro station, you can also check your Nol Card’s expiration date at ticketing counter, machine or parking meter. An amount of time will be displayed on the screen when you insert your card into the parking machine alongside the message of the remaining days until expiration and the addendum to renew your card shortly. Once the credit is gone, a deactivated Nol Card can be used until the credit is exhausted; however, no more funds can be added to an expired Nol Card. As you don’t usually use it, it’s advisable to check your Nol Card’s expiry date from time to time. Among the benefits of doing this is helping to avoid travel disruptions, however. In case of any queries, go for the Road and Transport Authority (RTA) of Dubai in Dubai as it can help in case of any issue related to your Nol Card.
Benefits of Tracking NOL Card History
Here are the benefits of following your NOL card history. First you can track your spending and this will help with your budgeting months down the road. In this, you can find out the amount you could save by cutting down on similar public transport fees or retailer expenses.
Secondly, if you look into your transaction history, you can raise a dispute for any unauthorized charges. If you see a transaction that you didn’t make having a detailed log will help you report and fix the issue.
NOL Card History Using RTA Kiosks
- Step 1: Visit any RTA kiosk located in metro stations, bus stops, or malls.
- Step 2: Tap your NOL card on the kiosk reader.
- Step 3: Follow the on-screen instructions to check your balance and transaction history.
NOL Card Balance History Via SMS
- Step 1: Send an SMS to 5111 with your NOL card number in the message body.
- Step 2: You’ll receive a reply with your card balance.
NOL Card History Using NOL Card Machines
- Step 1: Go to any NOL card machine at metro stations.
- Step 2: Insert your card into the machine.
- Step 3: The machine will display your balance and transaction history.
From where can we buy nol cards in Dubai?
Nol cards are available at the ticket offices and ticket vending machines installed in all the metro stations and bus stations of Dubai. You can also buy nol cards from RTA customer happiness centres, online via the RTA website or the s’hail app, through authorized sales agents or from some supermarkets including Spinneys, Waitrose and Carrefour.
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Dubai has a remarkable infrastructure that is brilliantly managed by the Road and Transport Authority. Dubai’s public transport is a crucial part of the city’s ”infrastructure. Residents or tourists, many people prefer using public transport to get around the Emirate. The nol cards introduced by RTA Dubai have made it more convenient and simple. Read on to know all about nol cards in Dubai and how it is making public transport more accessible and simpler to use for everyone.
What is a Nol Card?
Woman tapping her NOL card in Dubai at a turnstile .You can travel in trams, metros, buses or water busses in Dubai with the help of nol cards . A nol card is a smart card that allows users to pay for different kinds of public transportation options with a single tap. You can utilize your nol card in Dubai to use:
- Dubai Metro
- Buses
- Dubai Tram
- RTA taxi
- Marine mode of transportation including ferries, Abras and water buses
- To pay for parking fee in Dubai
From where can we buy nol cards in Dubai?
Nol cards are available at the ticket offices and ticket vending machines installed in all the metro stations and bus stations of Dubai. You can also buy nol cards from RTA customer happiness centres, online via the RTA website or the s’hail app, through authorized sales agents or from some supermarkets including Spinneys, Waitrose and Carrefour.
How to use a nol card in Dubai?
Anyone travelling with a nol card in Dubai is required to approach the electronic gates at the metro stations, or the electronic entrance terminals on the bus/water bus stations. Hold the card over the card reader. If there is a beep or a green light, it means your check-in with the nol card was successful, you can enter through the gates of the metro station/bus station/other modes of public transport and start your journey. You are also supposed to do the same while checking out, the nol car reader validates your card and deducts the fare for the journey taken.
How to recharge nol card balance?
Starting January 15, 2024, you must top up a balance of at least AED 20 on your card at Metro Station Ticket Offices. Moreover, a minimum balance of AED 15 is required for a roundtrip. If the balance is insufficient, you can simply pay online and add credit to your nol card, you can also use the top-up facility. To use the latter, you can top up your nol card’s balance at the ticket vending machines/offices located inside all the metro stations and bus stations in Dubai.
How is nol card fare calculated?
The city of Dubai has 7 zones, and each of them includes metro stations, tram stations, bus stations, and water bus stations. Nol card fares are calculated according to the number of zones the card user passed through at the end of their journey. All NOL cards have a small tamper-proof chip and an antenna to ensure fast, secure and reliable transactions. Nol cards are carefully designed smart cards that certify fares are calculated accurately and that no one tries using them fraudulently. Remember, anyone caught misusing a nol card is penalized by the RTA.
Conclusion
The NOL Card system in Dubai offers a seamless and efficient way for residents and tourists to access public transportation and various services. With multiple card types catering to different user needs, it provides convenience, security, and ease of use. Tracking balance, transaction history, and card validity is simple through multiple channels, including the RTA website, mobile app, SMS, and kiosks. Regular monitoring of card usage helps in budgeting and ensures uninterrupted travel. By integrating advanced technology, the NOL Card continues to enhance the public transport experience in Dubai, making commuting more accessible and hassle-free.
