How To Pay Parking Abu Dhabi SMS: Essential Guide
How To Pay Parking Abu Dhabi SMS: Your Essential Guide
Paying for parking in Abu Dhabi via SMS is a breeze once you know the simple steps. This guide will walk you through the entire process, ensuring you can park confidently without any hassle.
Navigating a new city, especially when it comes to something as practical as parking, can sometimes feel a little daunting. Abu Dhabi, with its vibrant streets and fascinating attractions, is a joy to explore, but finding and paying for parking shouldn’t be a source of stress. Thankfully, the Abu Dhabi Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT) has made paying for parking remarkably straightforward with its SMS service. It’s a convenient option that many residents and visitors alike rely on. You don’t need to worry about special apps or carrying exact change; just your mobile phone is enough! We’ll break down exactly how to do it, making sure you feel completely at ease and ready to park up and enjoy your time in the city.
Why Use the SMS Parking Service in Abu Dhabi?
Before we dive into the “how-to,” let’s quickly touch upon why this SMS system is such a popular and practical choice:
- Convenience: No need to find a parking meter or a specific machine. You can pay from anywhere, anytime.
- Accessibility: Works with any mobile phone that can send an SMS, regardless of your network provider (as long as you’re using a UAE-registered SIM card).
- Simplicity: The process is designed to be intuitive and easy to remember.
- Record Keeping: You receive a confirmation SMS which serves as your receipt, detailing your parking duration and cost.
- Flexibility: Easily extend your parking time by sending another SMS, without needing to return to your car.
Understanding Abu Dhabi Parking Zones and Fees
One of the key things to know before you start is that Abu Dhabi has different parking zones, and the cost and rules can vary slightly. While the SMS method is universal, the information you send in your SMS will depend on the zone you’re parked in.
How to Identify Your Parking Zone
Look for the signage in the parking area. There will typically be a sign indicating the zone number and the associated parking tariff. These signs are usually blue and white. You’ll need this zone number for your SMS. For example, you might see “Zone A” or “Zone B,” or a specific number like “Zone 301.”
Parking Tariffs
The standard tariffs are generally:
- AED 3 per hour for public parking (usually marked as Zone A or similar).
- AED 2 per hour for premium parking (often marked as Zone B or similar – please check signage as this can vary).
There’s typically a daily maximum charge as well, but the SMS system will automatically calculate and deduct based on the duration you specify or the time you send the SMS.
For the most up-to-date and official information on parking tariffs and regulations, always refer to the Integrated Transport Centre (ITC) Abu Dhabi website.
The SMS Parking Payment Process: Step-by-Step
This is where we get down to the nitty-gritty! Follow these simple steps to pay for your parking using SMS. Make sure you have your vehicle’s license plate number handy.
Step 1: Gather Your Information
You’ll need two crucial pieces of information:
- Your Vehicle’s License Plate Number: This is the most important part. Ensure you have it exactly as it appears on your plate. For example, if your plate is “Abu Dhabi 12345”, you’ll need to enter it that way.
- The Parking Zone Number: As mentioned above, find this on the parking signage.
Pro Tip: If you’re unsure about your license plate format, check your car’s registration card or the plate itself. UAE plates can have a mix of letters (representing the emirate, like “Abu Dhabi” or “AD”) and numbers.
Step 2: Construct Your SMS Message
The format for the SMS is consistent. You’ll need to send the message to the designated parking SMS number. This number is:
8777
Your SMS message should follow this structure:
[Zone Number] [Plate Number] [Duration]
Let’s break down what each part means:
- [Zone Number]: Enter the specific zone number you identified (e.g., 301).
- [Plate Number]: Enter your vehicle’s license plate number exactly as it appears. If your plate has spaces or specific codes, include them. For example, if your plate is “Abu Dhabi 12345”, you would write “Abu Dhabi 12345”. If your plate is “AD 12345”, you would write “AD 12345”.
- [Duration]: This indicates how many hours you want to pay for. You can specify parking for up to 5 hours at a time. For example, “1” for one hour, “3” for three hours.
Step 3: Sending the SMS
Once you’ve composed your message, send it to 8777. Ensure you are using a UAE-registered SIM card (Etisalat or du).
Step 4: Receiving Confirmation
You will receive an SMS back from 8777 confirming your parking details. This message will include:
- Your vehicle plate number
- The parking zone
- The expiry time of your parking session
- The amount deducted from your mobile balance
Keep this confirmation SMS! It serves as your proof of payment and tells you exactly when your parking expires.
Step 5: Parking Expiry and Extension
Your parking session will expire at the time indicated in your confirmation SMS. If you need to extend your parking, simply repeat Step 2 and Step 3 before the current session expires. You will receive a new confirmation SMS with the updated expiry time.
Examples of SMS Messages
To make it crystal clear, here are a few examples. Remember to replace the bracketed information with your actual details.
Scenario 1: Standard Parking
You are parked in Zone 301, your plate number is “Abu Dhabi 54321”, and you want to park for 2 hours.
SMS to 8777:
301 Abu Dhabi 54321 2
Scenario 2: Premium Parking
You are parked in a premium zone (let’s say Zone 605 for example), your plate number is “AD 98765”, and you want to park for 4 hours.
SMS to 8777:
605 AD 98765 4
Scenario 3: Extending Parking
Your current parking is about to expire. Your plate is “Dubai 11223” and you are in Zone 302. You want to add another 3 hours.
SMS to 8777:
302 Dubai 11223 3
Important Notes and Tips
Here are some extra pointers to ensure a smooth parking experience:
- Mobile Balance: Ensure you have enough credit on your mobile balance to cover the parking fees. The cost will be deducted from your prepaid balance or added to your postpaid bill.
- UAE SIM Card: This service is only available for SIM cards registered in the UAE (Etisalat or du). International SIM cards typically cannot be used for this service.
- Correct Plate Format: Double-check your license plate number. If you enter it incorrectly, your payment might be invalid, or you could be charged for the wrong vehicle.
- Zone Accuracy: Always ensure you are using the correct zone number. Parking in the wrong zone or without paying can result in fines.
- SMS Charges: While the parking fee is what’s deducted, there might be a small standard SMS charge by your mobile provider, though usually negligible.
- App vs. SMS: While the SMS service is very convenient, Abu Dhabi also has the “UA Mawaqif” app. The app offers more features like viewing parking history, setting reminders, and potentially paying for multiple vehicles. However, for a quick, no-fuss payment, SMS is excellent. You can learn more about the app on the ITC Abu Dhabi website.
- Mawaqif Fines: If you receive a parking fine, it’s crucial to address it promptly. You can usually check and pay fines through the ITC website or app.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
What if something goes wrong? Don’t panic! Here are a few common issues and how to resolve them:
I didn’t receive a confirmation SMS.
This can happen due to network issues or an incorrectly formatted SMS. Double-check that you sent the SMS to the correct number (8777) and that your message followed the format: [Zone Number] [Plate Number] [Duration]. Also, ensure you have sufficient mobile credit and a stable network connection. If the issue persists, try sending the SMS again. If you still don’t receive a confirmation, it’s best to assume you haven’t paid and try to find alternative parking or contact customer support.
My parking session expired, but I paid.
This usually means the confirmation SMS was delayed, or you might have received a confirmation for a shorter duration than intended. Always check the expiry time on your confirmation SMS. If you believe there’s an error, contact the Mawaqif customer service. It’s always best to extend your parking proactively if you think you’ll be longer than expected.
I made a mistake in my SMS (e.g., wrong plate number).
Unfortunately, once an SMS is sent and processed, you usually cannot edit it. If you realize you made a mistake immediately, try sending a new, correct SMS for the same duration. However, this might result in double payment or an invalid session for the incorrect entry. For significant errors, it’s best to contact Mawaqif customer service immediately to explain the situation. They might be able to assist, but it’s not guaranteed.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the SMS number for parking in Abu Dhabi?
The SMS number for paying parking in Abu Dhabi is 8777.
What information do I need to send in the SMS?
You need to send your Parking Zone Number, your Vehicle’s License Plate Number, and the desired Duration (in hours).
Can I use an international SIM card to pay for parking?
No, the SMS parking service is only available for UAE-registered SIM cards (Etisalat or du).
How long can I pay for parking via SMS?
You can pay for parking for a maximum of 5 hours at a time via SMS. If you need to park longer, you’ll need to send another SMS to extend your session.
What happens if I don’t pay for parking?
Failure to pay for parking can result in a parking fine (tariff violation). It’s always best to pay promptly using the SMS service or other available methods.
How do I know if my payment was successful?
You will receive a confirmation SMS from 8777 listing your parking details and expiry time. This is your receipt.
Conclusion
See? Paying for parking in Abu Dhabi via SMS is quite simple once you have the right information and know the steps. It’s a fantastic system designed for ease and efficiency, allowing you to focus on enjoying your visit or day out in this beautiful city without any parking worries. Just remember the number 8777, your zone, your plate number, and the duration. Happy parking, and enjoy exploring Abu Dhabi!
