Abu Dhabi Parking SMS: How to Pay Easily!

Hello there! If you’re living in or planning to visit Abu Dhabi, one thing you’ll need to navigate is the parking system.

It’s an essential part of life here, whether you’re a resident or a visitor. In this article, I’ll guide you through the ins and outs of the Abu Dhabi Parking SMS system, a convenient service that makes parking a breeze.

Understanding this system is crucial as it can save you time, prevent fines, and make your life in the city much smoother. So, let’s dive in!

Understanding Mawaqif

If you’ve spent any time in Abu Dhabi, you’ve likely come across the term “Mawaqif”. It’s the name of the parking management system introduced by the Department of Transport in Abu Dhabi. Launched in 2009, Mawaqif was designed to streamline parking in the city, making it more organized and efficient.

Before Mawaqif, finding a parking spot in Abu Dhabi could be a bit of a challenge. With the rapid growth of the city, the number of vehicles had increased, leading to congestion and parking issues. Mawaqif was introduced to tackle these issues and has since become an integral part of life in Abu Dhabi.

The system includes both paid and free parking zones, clearly marked with signs. Paid parking zones require a ticket from a Mawaqif machine or a permit. One of the convenient features of Mawaqif is the ability to pay for parking via SMS, which is what we’ll be focusing on in this guide.

Yes, vehicles registered in other emirates can still use the Abu Dhabi parking SMS system. The process is the same as for vehicles registered in Abu Dhabi, but when entering your vehicle plate number, you need to include the emirate code.

Read: UAE’s Parking Timings During Ramadan

How to Pay for Abu Dhabi Parking via SMS

One of the great features of the Mawaqif system is the ability to pay for parking via SMS. It’s a quick and convenient method that saves you from the hassle of finding a parking machine. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Start a new SMS: On your mobile phone, open your messaging app and start a new message.
2. Enter the City and Plate Code category: In the body of the SMS, first enter the City and Plate Code category.
3. Enter your vehicle plate number: After the parking number, enter a space, then your vehicle plate number. Make sure to include the emirate code (for example, ‘D’ for Dubai or ‘AUH’ for Abu Dhabi).
4. Enter the parking type. Type ‘S’ for standard parking and ‘P’ for premium parking.
5. Enter the parking duration: After another space, enter the duration for which you want to park. This is in hours, and can usually be a maximum of 24 hours.
6. Send the SMS: Finally, send the SMS to the number 3009.

So, your SMS should look something like this: 

City and Plate Code Category <space> Plate Number <space> Parking Type <space> Parking Duration (in Hours)

An Abu Dhabi Car Parking SMS example:

AUH5 7891 P 2

Once you send the SMS, you’ll receive a confirmation message, and the parking fee will be deducted from your mobile phone balance. If you’re parking for more than one hour, you’ll also receive a reminder message 10 minutes before your parking time expires, giving you the option to extend it if needed.

Types of Parking in Abu Dhabi and Their Fees

In Abu Dhabi, parking is categorized into two types: Standard and Premium. Each has its own designated areas and fees.

1. Standard Parking

These are the regular parking zones, marked with turquoise and black colors. They are usually located outside the city center. The fee for standard parking is AED 2 per hour or AED 15 for the day.

2. Premium Parking

These are the parking zones in high-demand areas, usually marked with blue and white colors. They are typically found in the city center. The fee for premium parking is AED 3 per hour with a maximum stay of 4 hours.

You can pay these fees via the Mawaqif machines located in the parking zones or conveniently through the Abu Dhabi parking SMS system. Just remember to enter the correct amount of time you wish to park for in your SMS.

Read: Sharjah Parking Timing

How to Get a Parking Extension

In Abu Dhabi, the Mawaqif system allows you to extend your parking time without having to return to your vehicle. This is particularly useful if you’re in a meeting, shopping, or otherwise engaged. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Receive a Reminder SMS from 3009: If you’ve paid for parking via SMS, you’ll receive a reminder message 10 minutes before your parking time expires.
2. Reply to the SMS: To extend your parking time, simply reply to this message with ‘E‘.
3. Confirm the Extension: You’ll receive a confirmation message, and the additional parking fee will be deducted from your mobile phone balance.

Remember, the maximum parking duration is 24 hours for standard parking and 4 hours for premium parking. So, make sure your extension doesn’t exceed these limits.

Parking for Vehicles Registered in Other Emirates

In the past, parking spots in the capital were predominantly allocated to vehicles registered in Abu Dhabi. If your vehicle was registered in another emirate, paying for parking in Abu Dhabi was a challenge. Fortunately, this is no longer an issue.

With the updated Mawaqif SMS parking system in Abu Dhabi, you can effortlessly pay for parking, even if your vehicle sports a Dubai plate. This revamped system has simplified parking in Abu Dhabi for vehicles hailing from other cities. The only thing you need to be aware of now is the necessary code.

The process is the same as I explained earlier in the “How to Pay for Parking via SMS” section. You start a new SMS, Type your City and Plate Code Category, your vehicle plate number, parking type, parking duration, and send the SMS to the number 3009.

However, there’s one key difference. That was City and Plate Code Category,

Below is a list of the Abu Dhabi parking SMS codes for vehicles registered in the other emirates of the UAE (City Code).

CITY	SMS PARKING CODE
Abu Dhabi	AUH
Dubai	DXB
Sharjah	SHJ
Ras Al Khaimah	RAK
Ajman	AJM
Umm Al Quwain	UAQ
Fujairah	FUJ

For example, the SMS parking code for a vehicle registered in Ajman would be formatted as AJMB 67821 P 1. In the same vein, the SMS code for a car registered in Umm Al Quwain would appear as UAQC 1002 S 4.

Read: Ajman Parking Timing

Conclusion

Navigating the parking system in Abu Dhabi doesn’t have to be a daunting task. With the Mawaqif system and the convenience of the Abu Dhabi parking SMS service, you can easily pay for parking whether you’re a resident or a visitor.

Remember, the key is understanding the system – from the different types of parking and their fees, to how to pay for parking via SMS, and even how to extend your parking time. And the best part?

This service isn’t just for vehicles registered in Abu Dhabi. Even if your vehicle is registered in another emirate, you can still use the service.

So, next time you’re in Abu Dhabi, give it a try. You might find it’s easier than you think!

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