A comprehensive guide to parking in Abu Dhabi

• Overview
• Parking Permits
• Payment Methods
• Charges
• Parking Fines
• FAQs

Residents and visitors must know the Abu Dhabi parking rules implemented by the Abu Dhabi Department of Transport (DoT). The capital city’s paid parking system, Mawaqif, makes finding a vacant spot easier and faster. Besides a few exceptions, motorists must pay a separate fee for parking in Abu Dhabi.

Want to know how Mawaqif works? Wonder how much you have to pay for parking in the UAE capital? Read on as we discuss everything you need about parking in Abu Dhabi.

ABU DHABI PARKING RULES

Mawaqif, as stated earlier, is a public parking system implemented by the Department of Transport in Abu Dhabi. All public parking zones in the emirate are paid zones. However, free parking in Abu Dhabi is available on Sundays and national holidays. Thousands of parking meters are installed throughout the city, ensuring easy access to available slots.

TYPES OF PARKING PERMITS IN ABU DHABI

Mawaqif has a diverse range of parking options. So, users can apply for a parking permit that suits their needs. Here’s a list of different parking permits available for motorists.

RESIDENTIAL PARKING PERMITS

Tenants and residential property owners can apply for a residential parking permit. This permit can also be issued to the first-degree relatives (mother, father, wife, sons, brothers and sisters) of the owner or tenant only if they reside in the same home. Remember that the granted permit allows residents to park their vehicles in the paid parking places within their residential area without paying extra charges.

According to the inspector’s report, Emirati families residing in apartments are entitled to four free parking permits. As for villas, the number is allocated according to the inspector’s report. Non-UAE nationals can get two permits. However, additional permits can be granted as per the inspector’s report.

Keep in mind that each permit only serves one vehicle. Residents can get residential parking permits from any Mawaqif Abu Dhabi service centres or Darb.

The process of applying for a permit is quite simple.

• Complete the application and put together the required documentation (Car registration card, house ownership proof or tenancy contract, passport copy (if applicable) and water and electricity bills)
• Make the required payment
• Receive the parking permit from the Department of Transport

FEE STRUCTURE FOR RESIDENTIAL PERMITS

Areas designated for residents can easily be identified through Mawaqif signs that read “Resident Permit Only.” These permits are enforced from 09:00 pm to 08:00 am.

Here’s a breakdown of the fee structure for apartment and villa residents:

• Fee for UAE nationals in apartments – Free for four vehicles
• Fee for UAE nationals in villas – Free

Annual Fees for non-UAE nationals residing in villas and apartments:

• First vehicle: AED 800
• Second vehicle: AED 1,200

Newer residential areas in Abu Dhabi come with dedicated parking spots. For instance, most apartment towers in Al Reem Island have underground parking for residents.

Please note that the Abu Dhabi resident parking rules don’t apply to visitors.

Visitors can park their cars in residential villa areas of Abu Dhabi free of charge till 02:00 am. A Villa Visitors Parking Permit is required if the vehicle is parked from 02:01 am to 08:00 am. For UAE Nationals, the service is free of charge. Whereas, Non-Emiratis have to pay AED 2 per hour.

Villa residents can obtain “Events Permits” by calling the call centre from their registered number. Whereas for a “Visitor Permit”, a request has to be made by the villa permit holder via their registered phone number in the Mawaqif System. The registration format is “< city and category code> space < vehicle number > space < sector number > space < hours >.” This permit is valid for 6 hours from 02:00 am to 08:00 am.

Villa owners or tenants can add their phone numbers to the Mawaqif system by calling 800-850 (Service Support Centre of the Department of Municipalities and Transport). They can also send a text message to the number 3009 in the following format: 050123456 E10.

For more information regarding Mawaqif registration, renewal, cancellations and payments, visit Integrated Transport Centre website or call the customer service centre.

LIMITED-TERM PUBLIC PARKING

Abu Dhabi’s Integrated Transport Centre also offers limited-term public parking permits for residents. Individuals and companies can use these limited parking permits in standard surface public parking spaces. However, this package does not include residents’ parking lots, multi-storey parking, premium parking and villa areas.

Here are the parking charges and duration details.

Duration	Parking Permit Cost
Duration 1 Month	Parking Permit Cost AED 391
Duration 3 Months	Parking Permit Cost AED 1,174
Duration 6 Months	Parking Permit Cost AED 2,348
Duration 1 Year	Parking Permit Cost AED 4,695

HOW TO APPLY FOR A LIMITED-TERM PERMIT?

Apply for permits online via www.itc.gov.ae and browse through the E-services section. Motorists must provide accurate information and documents such as Emirates ID and vehicle registration card. You can also need to know the traffic code.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR LIMITED-TERM PARKING

• It’s essential to note that Mawaqif’s limited-term permit will not replace resident parking permits. Instead, it will return the daily parking ticket for standard parking costs AED 2 per hour and AED 15 for a day.
• The limited-term parking permit forbids users to reserve or use reserved parking spaces and park vehicles in prohibited areas.
• The limited-time permit doesn’t allow users to park in residential areas, villa areas and premium parking spaces marked with white and blue paint.
• Parking is allowed in standard parking spaces identified with signages, specific service signs or altogether marked with black and turquoise.
• If a permit holder travels out of the city or the country, they must submit a storage vehicle request in a dedicated parking spot. It will prevent the car from being considered abandoned or towed away.

MAWAQIF ABU DHABI MULTI-STOREY PARKING

Mawaqif Abu Dhabi regulates multi-storey public parking in Abu Dhabi, scattered across the capital.

There are eight public multi-storey car parks within Abu Dhabi:

Location	Total Multi-Storey Parking Slots	Parking Slots Reserved for Ladies	Parking Slots for People of Determination
Location Behind LIWA Centre	Total Multi-Storey Parking Slots 394	Parking Slots Reserved for Ladies 26	Parking Slots for People of Determination 4
Location Madinat Zayed*	Total Multi-Storey Parking Slots 722	Parking Slots Reserved for Ladies 0	Parking Slots for People of Determination 4
Location Corniche	Total Multi-Storey Parking Slots 723	Parking Slots Reserved for Ladies 18	Parking Slots for People of Determination 4
Location Behind Zakher Hotel-opposite Maria Cinema	Total Multi-Storey Parking Slots 437	Parking Slots Reserved for Ladies 18	Parking Slots for People of Determination 1
Location Behind Health Ministry	Total Multi-Storey Parking Slots 487	Parking Slots Reserved for Ladies 18	Parking Slots for People of Determination 6
Location LIWA Street	Total Multi-Storey Parking Slots 305	Parking Slots Reserved for Ladies 26	Parking Slots for People of Determination 4
Location Behind Al-Noor Hospital	Total Multi-Storey Parking Slots 857	Parking Slots Reserved for Ladies 26	Parking Slots for People of Determination 8
Location Al Dana Multi-Storey Parking	Total Multi-Storey Parking Slots 583	Parking Slots Reserved for Ladies 42	Parking Slots for People of Determination 6

*Madinat Zayed’s multi-storey parking is managed as a surface parking area.

MAWAQIF MULTI-STOREY PARKING TARIFF

Duration	Tariff
Duration 1 Hour	Tariff AED 2
Duration 1 Day	Tariff AED 15
Duration 3 Months	Tariff AED 1,369
Duration 6 Months	Tariff AED 2,738
Duration 12 Months	Tariff AED 5,475

ABU DHABI PARKING PAYMENT METHODS

ITC has outlined several ways to pay for parking in Abu Dhabi. So, you can settle for the payment method most convenient to you. Let’s now explore the different ways to pay for parking in the capital city.

MAWAQIF ABU DHABI RECHARGEABLE CARDS

To make parking payments when required, motorists can purchase Mawaqif Rechargeable Cards. Parking fees are automatically deducted from your Mawaqif (stored value account), but you must first register for one. You can also pay for parking through SMS. Read about Mawaqif parking by SMS for more information.

The parking card is available for AED 50 with a balance of the same value. The balance will be added to your Mawaqif account once you activate the card by linking it to your account.

HOW TO ACTIVATE THE MAWAQIF RECHARGEABLE CARD?

Follow these steps to activate your rechargeable card online.

• Visit ITC’s official website to apply for a Mawaqif account
• Login to your Mawaqif account if you already have one
• Click on “Link Rechargeable Card” and enter your card details
• Once the card is linked, you’ll receive a confirmation SMS and the current balance on your card.

If you wish to activate your Mawaqif rechargeable card through SMS, all you need to do is send an SMS in this format to 3009: LINK<SPACE>CARD NO<SPACE>CVC.

It’s important to note that the card number consists of 16-digit. Card Verification Code (CVC) is a 3-digit number listed on the right side of the card number. 

Linked to a motorist’s registered Du or Etisalat mobile number, this account is an essential requirement for Abu Dhabi parking payments. Once your Mawaqif account is created, you must top it up with the funds necessary for paid parking in the city through DARB.

You can recharge your card by linking it to your DARB account. Visit the Darb website or the app to create or log on to your existing account. Click on manage wallet card and then add a new wallet card. Enter card details and submit to complete the process.

You can also recharge the card at Self Service Kiosks that provide Mawaqif services with cash or credit card.

M-MAWAQIF SERVICE

Your official Mawaqif account allows you to use M-mawaqif — a value-added service which motorists can use to pay parking fees using their mobile phones.

You can also download the Darbi Mobile app, available on App Store as well as Play Store or visit the online portal. The ITC portal can provide details about the following:

• Mall Parking
• Mawaqif Customer Care Centres
• Realtime Parking
• POD Parking
• Mawaqif Pay for Parking

CHARGES FOR PUBLIC PARKING IN ABU DHABI

It’s always a good idea to keep public parking charges in mind before heading out, especially if you intend to park in areas outside your residential zone.

Mawaqif parking timing in Abu Dhabi is from Monday to Saturday from 08:00 am to 12:00 am.

Here is a review of parking fees in Abu Dhabi:

• Standard Parking Spaces (black and blue curbs): AED 2 per hour, AED 15 for 24-hour parking
• Premium Parking Spaces (white and blue curbs): AED 3 per hour
• Free parking on Sundays and national holidays

Paper tickets are being phased out, and you will receive an e-ticket upon paying.

PARKING FINES IN ABU DHABI

The good news is that Mawaqif offers a 10-minute grace period for vehicles parked illegally. However, motorists who are caught violating Mawaqif regulations after the grace period are required to pay fines.

Here’s a brief list of parking violations and fines that motorists should be aware of:

• Abuse of parking space: AED 200
• Parking vehicles on pavements: AED 400
• Parking in fire hydrant place, space allocated for ambulances or allocated for special needs people: AED 1,000
• Parking behind vehicles and blocking movement: AED 500

Don’t forget to check your Abu Dhabi traffic fines regularly to know if you have any liable penalties, including tailgating fines in Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi car parking rules are altered, or new rules are introduced from time to time. As a resident or a visitor, you must know these updates.

FAQS ABOUT ABU DHABI PARKING RULES

IS PARKING IN ABU DHABI FREE?

Sundays and public holidays are exempt from parking charges. However, free parking days are announced from time to time.

HOW TO GET YOUR PARKING PERMIT IN ABU DHABI?

You can visit www.itc.gov.ae to apply for permits online. Another option is to visit any Mawaqif Customer Service Centre or the Department of Transport’s Customer Service Centre. Fill out the application at the centre and submit the required documents. Pay the applicable fees, and your parking permit process is complete.

Abu Dhabi resident parking rules are different from those for visitors. So when applying, select the right permit application.

WHICH AUTHORITY ENFORCES PARKING RULES IN ABU DHABI?

Across the UAE, local authorities enforce parking rules. In Abu Dhabi, the emirate’s police performs that duty.

WHAT IS DARBI?

Darbi application by ITC is a convenient app that provides live data on traffic conditions, road works, airport location, flight information and more. It can also be used to find and pay for parking in Abu Dhabi.

HOW TO CHECK MAWAQIF BALANCE?

To check Mawaqif balance, send an SMS with the message “balance” to 3009.

WHAT TIME IS MAWAQIF PARKING IN ABU DHABI?

Mawaqif parking timing is from 08:00 am to 12:00 am from Monday to Saturday.

WHICH DAY IS FREE PARKING IN ABU DHABI?

Free parking in Abu Dhabi is on Sunday and national holidays.

HOW TO CHECK ABU DHABI TRAFFIC FINES WITH EMIRATES ID?

Read our explainer on how to Abu Dhabi police fine check by Emirates ID to learn the entire process.

That’s a wrap on our guide to Abu Dhabi parking rules. For those who rely on public transport to get around the capital, here’s our detailed guide to public transport in Abu Dhabi, including information about taxis, buses and Hilafat smart cards.

Salik or DARB in Abu Dhabi is another initiative by ITC that aims to reduce road congestion and regulate traffic in the capital city. Our comprehensive guide to Abu Dhabi drivers licence will be helpful if you wish to apply for one.