Dubai Car Parking

Owing a personal vehicle comes with all its perks; it increases your convenience of travel and comfort as well. However, when you live in a metropolis like Dubai, having a car can cause a lot of troubles if you do not park it properly. Since there are strict rules and designated parking areas in and around the city, doing things other than what’s prescribed can lead to hefty fines, black points on your driving licence and a whole lot of additional trouble.

So, to avoid that, it’s imperative to learn about the regulations regarding Dubai car parking.

Car parking in Dubai 

The parking laws in Dubai are pretty effective and play a crucial role in managing the city's traffic. However, considering the extensive car parking system in Dubai, sometimes parking your vehicle may feel intimidating, not to mention the different types of parking zones, their categories and fee structures.

So, if you are new to the city, getting a clear idea about Dubai car parking free time is better. 

Types of a parking zone in Dubai 

As per the car parking system in Dubai, there are eleven parking zones. These are named Zone A, Zone B, Zone C, Zone D, Zone E, Zone F, Zone G, Zone H, Zone I, Zone J and Zone K. These parking zones are further divided into three categories- commercial, non-commercial and special areas. 

According to UAE parking laws, as of March 2022, Dubai car parking is a paid service from Monday to Saturday from 8:00 am to 10:00 pm. There are multiple car parking companies in Dubai offering services to choose from. You can get Dubai car parking free time on Sundays, Eid AI Adha holidays, and other public holidays.

● Commercial parking zones 

According to the car parking system in Dubai, parking zones A and B are designated for commercial parking. Among the two, zone B is relatively cheaper and less crowded. 

● Non- commercial parking zones 

Parking zones C and D are designated areas for non-commercial/residential parking. Among the two, zone D is relatively cheaper and less crowded. 

● Special Parking 

Car parking zones from E to K are designated for special reasons like: 

• Zone E-designated for underground and public parking lots of the Waterfront/Deira Fish Market.
• Zone F- designated for all the Tecom areas, including Dubai Media City, The Knowledge Village Hotel, and Dubai Internet City.
• Zone G- designated areas of Downtown Dubai including Burj Khalifa.
• Zone H- designated for Dubai Silicon Oasis.
• Zone I, Jand K were introduced by RTA in Jumeirah Lake Tower. These offer "prime parking" for a short period. In Zone I and J, you can park your vehicle for 3 hours at the max. In Zone K, it is for 4 hours. 

RTA/Driving License
Roads and Transport Authority (RTA)	Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) Dubai
Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) Sharjah	Transfer Car Registration
Driving License UAE	Driving License in Dubai

Parking area categories in Dubai 

Dubai car parking areas have two categories. Zone A and Zone B fall under category one. Areas included are: 

• Deira: Al Baraha, Al Muteena, Abu Hail, Hor Al Anz, Rigga Al Buteen, Al Khabaisi, Al Muraqabat, Port Saeed, Deira Fish Market, Al Rigga, Naif, Ayal Nasir, Al Buteen and Al Ras.
• Bur Dubai: Al Hamriya, Al Shindagha, Al Souq Al Kabeer, Al Karama, Al Mankhool, Oud Metha, Al Raffa, Al Hudaiba, Al Kifaf, and Umm Hurair 1, 2, 2nd December Street. 
• Jumeirah: Jumeirah Beach Residence and the JBR Walk, parallel Shaikh Zayed Road between Dubai World Trade Centre and Interchange One, and 308th street and Al Saada Street.

Rest of the parking areas in Dubai fall under category two. 

Dubai parking timings

Refer to the table below to understand Dubai car parking free time and paid time:

Name of the Zone	Parking Tariff	Timing	Ramadan Timing
Zone A	AED 2 for half an hour AED 4 per hour AED 8 for two hours AED 12 for three hours AED 16 for four hours	Monday to Saturday from 8:00 am to 10:00 without any breaks	8:00 am to 6:00 pm 8:00 pm to 12:00 am
Zone B	AED 3 per hour AED 6 for two hours AED 9 for three hours AED 12 for four hours AED 15 for five hours AED 20 for 24 hours	Monday to Saturday from 8:00 am to 10:00 without any breaks	8:00 am to 6:00 pm 8:00 pm to 12:00 am
Zone C	AED 2 per hour AED 5 for two hours AED 8 for three hours AED 11 for four hours	Monday to Saturday from 8:00 am to 10:00 without any breaks	8:00 am to 6:00 pm 8:00 pm to 12:00 am
Zone D	AED 2 per hour AED 4 for two hours AED 5 for three hours AED 7 for four hours AED 10 for 24 hours	Monday to Saturday from 8:00 am to 10:00 without any breaks	8:00 am to 6:00 pm 8:00 pm to 12:00 am
Zone E	AED 4 per hour AED 8 for two hours AED 12 for three hours  AED 16 for four hours	Monday to Saturday from 8:00 am to 10:00 without any breaks	8:00 am to 6:00 pm 8:00 pm to 12:00 am
Zone F	AED 2 per hour  AED 5 for two hours AED 8 for three hours  AED 11 for four hours	Monday to Saturday from 8:00 am to 6:00 with no breaks	8:00 am to 6:00 pm
Zone G	AED 5 per hour AED 8 for two hours AED 12 for three hours  AED 16 for four hours	Monday to Saturday from 8:00 am to 10:00 with no breaks	8:00 am to 6:00 pm
Zone H	AED 2 for half an hour AED 4 per hour AED 8 for two hours AED 12 for three hours  AED 16 for four hours	Monday to Saturday from 8:00 am to 6:00 with no breaks	8:00 am to 6:00 pm 8:00 pm to 12:00 am
Zone I	AED 10 per hour AED 20 for two hours AED 30 for three hours  AED 40 for four hours	Monday to Saturday from 8:00 am to 10:00 with no breaks	8:00 am to 6:00 pm 8:00 pm to 12:00 am
Zone J	AED 2 for half an hour AED 4 per hour AED 8 for two hours AED 12 for three hours  AED 22 for four hours	Monday to Saturday from 8:00 am to 10:00 with no breaks	8:00 am to 6:00 pm 8:00 pm to 12:00 am
Zone K	AED 2 for half an hour AED 4 per hour AED 8 for two hours AED 12 for three hours cAED 16 for four hours  AED 20 for five hours AED 24 for six hours AED 28 for seven hours AED 32 for 24 hours	Monday to Saturday from 8:00 am to 10:00 with no breaks	8:00 am to 6:00 pm 8:00 pm to 12:00 am

How to pay parking charges in Dubai?

You can pay parking charges in Dubai by any of the following methods: 

• mPayment: You can pay your parking fees using Dubai's mobile payment facility. With RTA's parking SMS system, it is effortless. Just follow the Dubai car parking SMS format, which is Send an SMS to 7275 (PARK) in this format: number plate-space-area code-number of hours. 
• Dubai Drive Application: You can also pay for your Dubai car parking with the help of the Dubai Drive Application. Download the app, register your vehicle and follow the instructions. Then, you are good to go. 
• Paid parking machines: You can purchase parking tickets from the parking machine using coins. After you get the ticket, ensure to place it visibly on the dashboard.

If you are a Nol card user, you can use your card to buy a parking ticket. The amount will get deducted from your card. Some other methods include seasonal parking cards, prepaid cards and RFID cards.

Parking fines for Dubai car parking 

Here are some instances that might lead you to pay a traffic penalty in Dubai: 

• If the parking fee is not paid or the ticket is not visibly placed on the dashboard- AED 150
• If your vehicle exceeds the parking time- AED 100
• Misusing a parking facility- AED 200 
• If your car crosses or stands on a sidewalk- AED 200 
• For parking in a forbidden area- AED 200 
• For parking without a number plate- AED 1000 
• Unauthorised use of reserved parking place or parking a car without a permit- AED 1000 
• Damaging a parking ticket machine or zone plate- AED- 1000

FAQs

Q1. Do the parking hours differ during Ramadan?

Yes. The allowed parking hours may differ during Ramadan. 

Q2. Can I get free Dubai car parkingon a Friday?

No. On Fridays, Dubai car parking services are paid for. 

Q3. What is the Dubai car parking SMS format?

Ans: Send an SMS to 7275 (PARK) in this format: number plate-space-area code-number of hours.   

Q4. Do I have to pay a fine if the parking ticket is not visible?

Ans: If the parking ticket is not visibly placed on the dashboard, you have to pay a fine of AED 150. 

Q5. How to know which parking zone my car is in?

Ans: To find out which parking zone your car is in, locate the orange-colored parking boards installed in each zone. These boards have parking codes of Dubai mentioned on them.