Mawaqif Abu Dhabi is the official parking system for Abu Dhabi. Type 3009 to pay the parking fee via SMS, or you can pay the parking fee through the Darb app or directly through parking machines.
In this article, you will find
- Abu Dhabi parking fees for standard and premium parking
- How to pay Mawaqif Abu Dhabi parking fee
Mawaqif Abu Dhabi(SMS code,Parking Fee)
| Parking detail | Published information |
|---|---|
| Standard public parking | AED 2 per hour or AED 15 per day |
| Premium public parking | AED 3 per hour |
| Maximum stay in standard parking | 24 hours |
| Maximum stay in premium parking | 4 hours |
| General paid-parking hours | 8 AM to midnight |
| General free days | Sundays and official public holidays, subject to restrictions |
| SMS parking number | 3009 |
| Customer contact centre | 800 3009 |
Mawaqif Abu Dhabi Parking Fee(Standard & Premium)
Black and turquoise curb colors are for Standard Public Parking for AED 2 per hour.
White and Turquoise curb color are for Premium Parking costing AED 3 an hour.
Standard Parking Cost For A Full Day
Standard public parking costs AED 2 per hour or AED 15 per day.
Premium Parking Cost
Premium parking (turquoise and white kerb color)costs AED 3 per hour. You can park in the premium parking spot for just 4 hours max.
Paid Parking Times In Abu Dhabi
Standard and premium public parking generally operate from 8 AM to midnight and are free on Sundays and official public holidays, subject to the applicable parking rules.
Resident parking, villa parking, multi-storey car parks and airport parking have different conditions.
For current rules, see the official Mawaqif parking policy and public parking types.
When Is Parking Free in Abu Dhabi?
Standard and premium public Mawaqif parking is generally free on Sundays and official public holidays.
How to Pay for Abu Dhabi Parking(Mawaqif Abu Dhabi)
Mawaqif Abu Dhabi has several payment methods:
- the Darb app,
- SMS payment,
- rechargeable cards
- parking payment machines.
How To Pay Mawaqif Abu Dhabi Through the Darb App
The Darb app provides a digital option for paying public parking fees.
- Open the official Darb app.
- Select the relevant parking payment service.
- Choose the correct vehicle.
- Select the parking category and duration requested by the service.
- Review the details and complete the payment.
- Check the confirmation and retain the transaction details.
You can consult the official Mawaqif payment methods for current options and instructions.
How To Pay Mawaqif Abu Dhabi Parking Through SMS
Mawaqif SMS parking payments use the number 3009. The required message format depends on the vehicle plate category and the current instructions.
Before sending your SMS:
- Check the official message format for your vehicle.
- Confirm the plate details and parking category.
- Include the requested duration and other required information.
- Send the message to 3009.
- Read the response and confirm that the payment has been accepted.
How To Pay at a Mawaqif Abu Dhabi Parking Machine
Where a Mawaqif payment machine is available, follow its instructions and enter the correct vehicle and parking details. Keep the receipt if one is issued.
How To Pay Abu Dhabi Parking Fee Using a Supported Rechargeable Card
Mawaqif Abu Dhabi lists rechargeable cards among its payment methods. Check that your card is active, has sufficient balance and is supported for the transaction you need.
For the latest payment options, visit the official Mawaqif payment methods page.
Mawaqif Abu Dhabi Parking SMS Format For Cars
[Plate Number] [Space] [Parking Type] [Space] [Duration]
Mawaqif Abu Dhabi Parking SMS Format For Motorcycle
[Plate NumberM] [Space] [Parking Type] [Space] [Duration]
Mawaqif Abu Dhabi Parking SMS Format For Taxi
TAXI [Space] [Plate Number] [Space] [Parking Type] [Space] [Duration]
Mawaqif Abu Dhabi Parking SMS Format For Commercial Vehicles
AUHCOM [Space] [Plate Number] [Space] [Parking Type] [Space] [Duration]
Zayed International Airport Parking Fees
Abu Dhabi airport parking is separate from ordinary public Mawaqif parking. Zayed International Airport operates its own parking facilities, tariffs and booking conditions.
Published Airport Drive-Up Rates
| Parking duration | Published charge |
|---|---|
| 0–10 minutes | Free |
| 11–15 minutes | AED 10 |
| 16–30 minutes | AED 25 |
Published Pre-Booked Long-Stay Prices
| Pre-booked duration | Published price |
|---|---|
| 2–3 days | AED 225 |
| 4–7 days | AED 325 |
| 8–14 days | AED 400 |
| Each additional day from day 15 | AED 50 |
These are airport-specific published rates, not Mawaqif street-parking tariffs. Check the full drive-up tariff, booking conditions and availability before travelling.
For current information, visit the official Zayed International Airport parking page.
Abu Dhabi Resident Parking Permits: What Drivers Need to Know
Resident parking can be confusing because some spaces are available to the public during certain hours but reserved for permit holders at other times.
Parking in Residential Areas(Resident Permit Only)
Resident parking spaces may be identified by turquoise markings or signs stating “Resident Permit Only”.
The Mawaqif Abu Dhabi rules restrict public use of these spaces between 9 PM and 8 AM. During this time, if you park there you will get fine.
If you are visiting a residential area, check the sign and the time restriction before leaving your vehicle.
Villa Resident Parking
Villa parking spaces are marked “Villa Resident Permit Only”.
Visitors should not assume they can use these spaces simply because they are outside a villa or ordinary public parking is free.
The published policy describes a visitor-permit process for eligible villa residents. Because the process and eligibility conditions are specific, check the current instructions before parking.
How to Apply for a Resident Parking Permit
Eligibility, documentation and the number of permits depend on the applicant’s circumstances and the applicable rules.
Check the current requirements through the official Mawaqif villa and resident parking permit guidance before applying.
Abu Dhabi Parking Fines and Violations
Common situations that can lead to parking violations in Abu Dhabi include:
- Parking without valid payment when payment is required.
- Parking on yellow and grey curbs
- Using resident-only parking without the required permit.
- Exceeding the permitted parking duration.
- Parking in a prohibited or reserved location.
- Failing to follow a restriction shown on the parking sign.
Why Did I Get a Fine When I Thought Parking Was Free?
Start by checking the location, time and violation description.
Free public parking does not automatically mean you are allowed to par in restricted parking areas.
How to Check and Pay an Abu Dhabi Parking Fine
The correct service depends on the authority and type of violation.
- Open the relevant official fine or violation service.
- Enter the requested vehicle or violation information.
- Review the violation description, location, date and amount.
- If the fine is valid, follow the official payment instructions.
- If you believe it is incorrect, check the available grievance procedure.
- Save your payment receipt or grievance reference.
Start with TAMM’s official services, and follow the service relevant to your violation.
Do not assume an early-payment discount or a particular appeal deadline applies to every fine. Verify the current eligibility and deadline through the official service for your specific violation.
Are There Any Discounted Parking Services Available In Abu Dhabi?
Yes, you can find the following discounted parking services in Abu Dhabi.
Subscriptions & Permits
Multi-Storey Passes: Discounted monthly/annual rates for unlimited parking inside specific shaded Mawaqif structures.
Resident Permits: AED 800/year (1st car) or AED 1,200/year (2nd car) for expats to park free in their own neighborhood. Free for UAE Nationals.
Commuter Passes: Unlimited parking in any Standard city bay for AED 391/month, AED 1,054/3 months, or AED 3,261/year.
Which Companies Offer Monthly Parking Subscriptions in Abu Dhabi?
Official public parking subscriptions are managed solely by Q Mobility (Abu Dhabi Mobility/Mawaqif) for AED 391/month via the TAMM portal. For dedicated private building spaces, platforms like Parkizzle and Dubizzle connect drivers directly with residents sub-leasing their private garage slots.
The AI Smart Camera Parking Inspection Cars
Abu Dhabi has Q Mobility Smart Inspection Vehicles and those are equipped with roof-mounted ANPR cameras and an automated digital database system to scan license plates across the city in real time.
How do they track the parking of vehicles, do they instantly fine you the moment you park?
No, they do not fine you instantly. The system operates on a dual-pass loop logic: the camera car drives past your vehicle to log your license plate coordinates on its first sweep.
It then circles back a few minutes later for a second pass. If your vehicle has not registered an active Mawaqif SMS or digital payment in the system by that second check, the AI auto-generates the violation fine
Next-Gen Parking: Abu Dhabi’s New “Free Flow” Smart Parking System
Abu Dhabi (managed by Q Mobility) has introduced a fully automated, barrierless Free Flow Parking System to modernize how parking payments are collected.
- How It Works: The system uses AI-powered Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras to read your license plate the moment you enter a participating parking area.
- Automatic Deduction: Rather than manually sending an SMS or using a parking meter, parking fees are automatically debited directly from your Darb E-Wallet.
- Where It Applies: The initial phase is active in select multi-storey car parks, commercial hubs, and private parking facilities across Abu Dhabi, with citywide expansion planned.
- Avoid Fines: Motorists must maintain a sufficient balance in their Darb account so that automatic payments process smoothly without triggering unpaid-session fines.
Abu Dhabi Parking Contact Number
If you need help identifying a parking category, checking permit requirements or understanding a violation, use the official Mawaqif guidance and customer support channels.
The published Q Mobility customer contact centre number is 800 3009.
Useful official resources:
- Q Mobility Mawaqif policy
- Mawaqif public parking types
- Mawaqif payment methods
- Resident and villa parking permits
- TAMM official services
FAQs
In Abu Dhabi, parking is certainly free for both premium and standard parking on Sundays and official public holidays. But keep an important fact in mind: do not park in resident permit assuming they are free as well. Rules of residential permit apply there.
The paid-parking hours for standard and premium public parking are 8 AM to midnight. Check local signs for resident restrictions and other conditions.
The Mawaqif SMS parking number is 3009. Follow the current official instructions for your vehicle plate category and wait for payment confirmation.
Yes, you can park in resident only space, but in standard parking space(black and turquoise parking) from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Make sure it is not a villa parking.
Yes, definitely you will get a fine if you have selected the wrong parking price(parked in premium but paid for standard), but you will not receive a fine if you paid for premium and are in standard parking.
No, parking at Abu Dhabi airport is not free even on Sundays. Mawaqif Abu Dhabi rules do not apply at Zayed International Airport.
You can send an SMS at 3009 in the format: Plate code Plate Number (S/P) hours.
You can use the the Darb mobile application or the Abu Dhabi government’s official TAMM app to settle all parking payments digitally.
You can park your car from 8a.m. till 9 p.m in that resident parking only. Even if you paid for 24 hours it does not let you stay there for the night.
Final Reminder
Before leaving your car in Abu Dhabi, check three things: the parking category, the applicable time restriction, and whether your payment or permit is valid.
These checks are particularly important in residential areas, where restrictions may differ from ordinary public parking.
