Parking in Abu Dhabi is managed by the Integrated Transport Centre (ITC) under the Mawaqif system. This system ensures organised parking across the city, offering various payment methods and permits to cater to residents and visitors alike.
Parking Zones & Tariffs
Abu Dhabi’s parking zones are categorised based on location and demand, each with specific rates and timings.
Standard Parking
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Kerb Colours: Black and Blue
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Fee: AED 2 per hour or AED 15 for 24 hours
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Maximum Duration: 24 hours
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Timings: 8:00 AM – 12:00 AM (Monday to Saturday)
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Free Parking: Sundays and public holidays
Premium Parking
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Kerb Colours: White and Blue
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Fee: AED 3 per hour
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Maximum Duration: 4 hours
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Timings: 8:00 AM – 12:00 AM (Monday to Saturday)
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Free Parking: Sundays and public holidays
Residential Parking
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Kerb Colours: Turquoise lines or marked with ‘Resident Permit Only’ signage
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Usage: Reserved for residents with permits from 9:00 PM to 8:00 AM
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Public Access: Non-residents can park during the day after paying the standard fees
Free Parking
Parking is free during the following times:
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Sundays and Public Holidays: All day
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Overnight: 12:00 AM – 8:00 AM
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Designated Areas: Certain residential areas and shopping malls offer free parking; always check signage.
SMS Parking Service (M-Mawaqif)
The M-Mawaqif service allows motorists to pay for parking via SMS, offering a convenient alternative to physical meters or apps.
How to Use
1. Compose an SMS in the following format: <City Code><Plate Category> <Plate Number> <Parking Type> <Duration in Hours>
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City Code: AUH (Abu Dhabi)
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Plate Category: E.g., 5
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Plate Number: E.g., 12345
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Parking Type: ‘S’ for Standard, ‘P’ for Premium
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Duration: Number of hours (e.g., 1, 2)
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Example: AUH5 12345 S 2
2. Send the SMS to 3009.
3. Receive Confirmation: A confirmation message will be sent, indicating the parking session details.
4. Extend Parking: To extend your parking time, reply with ‘E’ to the confirmation message before the current session expires.
Notes
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No Prior Registration Needed: The service is available to all users without the need for prior registration.
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Mobile Operators: Available for Etisalat and Du subscribers.
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Charges: Parking fees will be deducted from your mobile balance or added to your postpaid bill.
Payment Methods
Abu Dhabi offers multiple convenient payment options for parking:
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SMS (M-Mawaqif): As detailed above.
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Mawaqif Rechargeable Card: Available at customer service centers; can be linked to your account via SMS or online.
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Pay & Display Machines: Accept cash and credit/debit cards.
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Mawaqif Mobile App: Available on iOS and Android for managing parking sessions.
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DARBI Application: Provides real-time traffic updates and parking payments.
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TAMM Platform: Online portal for various government services, including parking payments.
Parking Permits
For frequent users, Mawaqif offers various parking permits:
Residential Parking Permits
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UAE Nationals:
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Apartments: Up to 4 free permits
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Villas: Up to 10 free permits
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Non-UAE Nationals:
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First Vehicle: AED 800 per year
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Second Vehicle: AED 1,200 per year
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Limited-Term Public Parking Permits
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1 Month: AED 391
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3 Months: AED 1,174
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6 Months: AED 2,348
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1 Year: AED 4,695
Villa Visitors Parking Permit
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UAE Nationals: Free
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Non-UAE Nationals: AED 2 per hour (max 6 hours)
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Activation: Villa owners can register up to 4 visitor phone numbers; permits are valid from 2:00 AM to 8:00 AM.
Parking Violations & Fines
To maintain order, Mawaqif enforces strict penalties for parking violations:
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Unpaid Parking: AED 150
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Expired Ticket: AED 100
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Illegal Parking: AED 200
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Blocking Vehicles: AED 500
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Parking in Disabled Spaces: AED 1,000
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Parking on Pavements: AED 300
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Engine Running While Parked: AED 300
Grace Period: A 10-minute grace period is provided before a fine is issued for expired parking sessions. For more information and updates, visit the Integrated Transport Centre (ITC) official website.
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