As the third most populous city in the country, Abu Dhabi suffers, like any other metropolis, from heavy traffic which can make driving in it pretty nerve-wracking, especially when it comes to finding parking.
The city’s municipality has devoted a lot of resources to tackling this problem and the Abu Dhabi parking SMS system is among the most efficient solutions they have come up with. In this article from Lookinsure mag, we will tell you all you need about how this system, known as Mawaqif parking SMS works.
Frequently Answered Question
1: Is there free Mawaqif parking in Abu Dhabi?
Free parking is available in Mawaqif parking zones only at certain times such as national holidays, on Fridays, and for people with disabilities.
2: How to park in Abu Dhabi by SMS?
After finding a parking spot you can pay for it by sending an SMS to 3009 and receiving a confirmation. Note that the text message must be composed in the specific format mentioned above.
3: How to charge parking in Dubai by SMS for the Abu Dhabi plate?
For cars not registered in Dubai, please use this format: plate code, plate number, zone number, duration, and send it to 7275 (PARK). You will receive a confirmation message, and the fee will be deducted from your mobile credit or postpaid account.
4: How does SMS parking work?
For using SMS parking you need to send an SMS containing the information below in the exact formatting and send it to 3009. After receiving a confirmation text the fee will be charged to your phone bill or deducted from your prepaid plan.
City Code + [space] + Plate Number + [space] + Zone Number + [Space] + Duration (number of hours)
5: How to identify residential parking in Abu Dhabi?
Residential parking zones in Abu Dhabi are marked by specific signage which you must pay attention to avoid fines. It is important to note that parking in residential zones is restricted to permit-holding residents from 9 PM to 8 AM. Outside of these hours, non-residents may park there after paying the appropriate fees.
6: How to know free parking in Abu Dhabi?
All public parking zones are free in Abu Dhabi on Fridays and public holidays. Some public places such as parks and malls also offer free parking, however these usually have time limits.
7: What are the different types of parking in Abu Dhabi?
In Abu Dhabi, there are 5 different parking zones which include: Standard Parking Zones, Premium Parking Zones, Residential Parking Zones, Commercial Vehicle Parking Zones, Handicapped Parking Zones
What is Mawaqif Abu Dhabi SMS Parking?
In order to facilitate parking throughout the city, the Department of Municipalities and Transfer (DMT) has launched an SMS system that allows residents as well as visitors to pay for their parking zone only by sending a text message which enables cashless payment without an internet connection.
Car parking in Abu Dhabi, as with any big city, is sometimes a challenge; so, read this quick and complete guide and you’ll never have to worry about it.
Benefits Of Using Abu Dhabi SMS Parking
Here’s a list of benefits for using Abu Dhabi SMS parking:
No Internet
One of the benefits of the Abu Dhabi parking SMS system is that for using it you will not need to be connected to the internet which makes it quite convenient for senior citizens who might not be quite comfortable with online services.
Direct Cashless Payment
With Mawaqif parking SMS all you will need to do is a text message containing the relevant information to the designated number and wait for a confirmation message. The parking fee will be charged to your phone bill or deducted from prepaid credit.
Easy Time Extension
In the first SMS, you must include the number of hours you intend to park your car and if you find yourself needing to extend your parking duration, all you need to do is send another SMS with the changed number of hours.
Types of Mawaqif Parking And Fees
There are two main categories when it comes to parking in Abu Dhabi:
- Standard Parking (Blue and White Curbs): applies to most public parking available in residential and commercial areas, costing AED 2 per hour and AED 15 per day.
- Premium Parking (Blue and Black Curbs): these are often found in busier areas of the city such as downtown. The hourly fee for parking in these zones is AED 3 and no long-term parking is allowed there.
- Residential Parking Zones: located near residential areas and available only to people who live in those zones. The fees for these parking zones are paid every year and are as follows:
- AED 800 per year for the first vehicle.
- AED 1,200 per year for the second vehicle.
Note: Parking in residential zones is limited to residents with permits only during the time period between 9 PM and 8 AM, and after that, non-residents are allowed to park there after paying the proper fees.
Checking Abu Dhabi black points is also an important part of your driving experience If you live or work there. You might find the car insurance companies in Sharjah and car insurance companies in Abu Dhabi useful too if you live there and want to make a more informed decision.
Steps To Send Parking SMS In Abu Dhabi
Using Abu Dhabi parking SMS services is quite easy and can be done by following the steps below:
- Find a parking spot and make sure it is not a no-parking zone.
- Compose an SMS in the following format:
City and Plate Code + [space] + Plate Number + [space] + Parking Type + [Space] + Duration (number of hours)
- Send the SMS to 3009 and wait for confirmation. After receiving the conversation you’re good to go.
Note 1: City code refers to the abbreviation used for each city and AUH is the city code for Abu Dhabi.
Note 2: Parking type refers to standard and premium. For parking in a standard zone type S and for premium P.
Example of the Abu Dhabi parking SMS format
Here is an example of a properly composed SMS for two hours of parking in a premium zone for a car with the plate number below AUH20 30214 P 2
Speaking of parking, Dubai parking SMS guide will be a life-saver for you if you live there or go there.
How To Register for Mawaqif Abu Dhabi SMS Parking
Fortunately, you do not need to have any registration prior to using Mawaqif parking SMS services. All you need is a mobile number registered with a local provider such as Etisalat and you are good to go.
How To Use Mawaqif SMS Parking in Abu Dhabi
For using SMS parking in Abu Dhabi simply find a parking space that is not in no-parking or a residential zone, compose a message containing the city code, plate number, and parking zone type (S for standard and P for premium), send it to 3009, and wait for confirmation.
How To Get An Extension On Mawaqif Parking?
Other than a confirmation message which works as a verification of your parking request and payment, you will receive another message 10 minutes before the expiration of your session. If you need to extend your parking, you can reply to the message by sending the letter “E”, which will start a new process.
How To Pay for Mawaqif Parking in Abu Dhabi
You’ll find 4 methods below for paying Mawaqif parking in Abu Dhabi.
Payment via SMS method
If you reserve your spot with SMS, the payment is quite easy as the fee will be automatically charged to your phone bill or deducted from your prepaid account.
Payment via rechargeable parking cards
To pay for your parking using rechargeable cards, you first need to activate it, which can be done by following the steps below:
Online Activation
Enter your Mawaqif account on the Integrated Transport Centre (ITC) website
Go to “Link Rechargeable Card”.
Enter your card details after which you will receive a confirmation message.
Activate Via SMS
Send an SMS to 3009 with the following format and wait for a confirmation message:
Link [space] Card Number [space] CVC
Abu Dhabi SMS Paid Parking Timings
Here are the operational hours of different parking zones in Abu Dhabi:
Standard And Premium Zones
Operational Hours: 8 AM to 12 AM (Saturday to Thursday)
Note: Public Holidays: Parking is free across all Mawaqif zones on Fridays and official public holidays.
Residential Zones
Operational Hours: parking is limited to residents with permits between 9 PM to 8 AM.
Conditions For Mawaqif Abu Dhabi SMS Parking Service
- Make sure you have sufficient credit if you are using a prepaid plan.
- Your SIM card must be from a local telecom provider for you to be able to use this service.
- For extending your parking session make sure you do so before your current session expires.
- Ensure you compose the message in the correct format and keep the confirmation message for reference.
We hope you never get into such a situation, but if you ever do, learn how to report accident in Abu Dhabi so you can take control of things.
Conclusion
In recent years, the Abu Dhabi municipality has gone a long way in making parking easier throughout the city with its digital services. Perhaps the most convenient of these services is the Abu Dhabi SMS parking system which enables users to pay for their parking spot using a simple text message-based procedure.
By composing an SMS containing the city code, your plate number, the number for the zone you are parking in, and the duration of your stay, in that order, and sending it to 3009, the parking fee will be charged to your phone bill. You can also extend the duration of your stay by sending a new SMS containing the revised number of hours.
