The Complete Guide to the Parking in Dubai:
Parking in Dubai can be a challenge, particularly during busy periods. As a city that attracts millions of visitors and residents alike, efficient parking management is crucial to ensure smooth traffic flow and accessibility. Fortunately, the Roads and Transportation Authority (RTA)
has implemented user-friendly parking systems that offer both pay-as-you-go options and long-term seasonal parking cards.
It’s crucial for vehicle owners and prospective Dubai driving license applicants to be aware of the latest parking charges in the city. In this article, we will provide a comprehensive guide to Dubai parking, covering parking zones and areas, parking charges, parking timings, RTA seasonal parking cards, and payment methods.
Parking Zones and Areas:
Dubai’s parking system caters to various needs and preferences. Whether you prefer the flexibility of pay-as-you-go parking or the convenience of long-term seasonal parking, the RTA has you covered. Understanding the applicable parking charges is essential for efficient navigation of the city’s parking facilities.
The three types of parking in Dubai:
- Commercial
- Non Commercial
- Special Areas
To facilitate this, the RTA has categorized parking areas into different zones, each with its own corresponding charges. The zones are designated as A, B under Commercial, C, D under non Commercial and E, F, and G, with specific areas.
Zone A Parking Area:
Commercial areas in Dubai, including major business districts, tourist hotspots, and densely populated residential areas, fall under Zone A.
The parking charges for Zone A are as follows:
- AED 4 per hour
- AED 8 for 2 hours
- AED 12 for 3 hours
- AED 16 for 4 hours
- Half hour parking cost is AED 2
Zone A parking area timings in Dubai:
08:00 am to 10:00 pm with no break between 01:00 pm and 04:00 pm
Zone B Parking Area:
Zone B in Dubai consists of parking spaces in commercial areas that are relatively less busy compared to Zone A. Drivers who hold the seasonal RTA parking card type B have the privilege of parking their vehicles in both Zone B and Zone D. These zones have lower parking fees compared to Zone A in Dubai. Many residents living in older neighborhoods without dedicated parking opt for quarterly or monthly parking cards in these zones as the costs are nearly half of what is charged in Zone A. This is particularly popular among residents of older buildings with rental flats in areas like Karama, Al Qusais, and Al Satwa.
The parking charges for Zone B are as follows:
- AED 3 per hour
- AED 6 for 2 hours
- AED 8 for 3 hours
- AED 12 for 4 hours
- AED 15 for 5 hours
- AED 20 for 24 hours
Zone B parking area timings in Dubai:
08:00 am to 10:00 pm with no break between 01:00 pm and 04:00 pm
Zone C Parking Area:
Special areas include low-demand areas, remote residential areas, and the outskirts of the city, falling under Zone C. The newly implemented parking code designates Zone C for roadside parking predominantly in residential areas. To assist drivers in identifying Zone C, signboards have been installed throughout the designated areas. Additionally, RTA prepaid parking cards can be utilized to pay for parking in the locations within Zone C.
The parking charges for Zone C are as follows:
- AED 2 per hour
- AED 5 for 2 hours
- AED 8 for 3 hours
- AED 11 for 4 hours
- Half hour parking cost is AED 2
Zone C Parking area timings in Dubai:
08:00 am to 10:00 pm with no break between 01:00 pm and 04:00 pm
Zone D Parking Area:
Zone D includes other parking slots in non-commercial areas. This is one of the cheapest parking zones in Dubai and can be found in residential areas such as Al Qusais and Al Nahda. Zone D encompasses parking slots in non-commercial areas, offering affordable parking options in Dubai. It is considered one of the cheapest parking zones in the city and can be found in residential areas such as Al Qusais and Al Nahda.
The Parking charges for Zone D are as follows:
- AED 2 per hour
- AED 5 for 2 hours
- AED 8 for 3 hours
- AED 10 for 24 hours
Zone D Parking timings in Dubai:
08:00 am to 10:00 pm with no break between 01:00 pm and 04:00 pm.
Zone E Parking Area:
In Zone E, which includes the Waterfront Market (Deira Fish Market), there are both underground and public parking slots available. However, it’s important to note that the underground parking is free of charge. On the other hand, the public parking in Zone E is subject to payment through RTA cards and the pay-as-you-go system. The revised rates for the pay-as-you-go method in Zone E are as follows: [
The Parking charges for Zone E are as follows:
- AED 2 per hour
- AED 5 for 2 hours
Zone E Parking area timings in Dubai:
08:00 am to 10:00 pm with no break between 01:00 pm and 04:00 pm
Zone F Parking Area
Under the new RTA system, Zone F is designated as a dedicated parking slot in all Tecom areas. If you require more information regarding the specific locations and availability of parking cards, you can visit the RTA parking card service centres. They will be able to provide you with detailed information and assistance regarding parking in Zone F.
The Parking charges for Zone F are as follows:
- AED 2 per hour
- AED 5 for 2 hours
- AED 8 for 3 hours
- AED 11 for 4 hours
Zone F Parking area timings in Dubai:
08:00 am to 06:00 pm with no break between 01:00 pm and 04:00 pm
Zone G Special Parking Areas
Zone G consists of paid parking slots in Downtown Dubai. If you reside in one of the apartments for rent in Downtown Dubai and have visitors coming over, it is highly likely that they will need to park in this zone. Please note that parking in Zone G requires payment as per the applicable parking charges.
The Parking charges for Zone G are as follows:
- AED 4 per hour
- AED 8 for 2 hours
- AED 12 for 3 hours
- AED 16 for 4 hours
Zone G Parking area timings in Dubai:
08:00 am to 10:00 pm with no break between 01:00 pm and 04:00 pm
In addition to the standard parking places, several areas in Dubai have unique parking regulations. Jumeirah Lake Towers (JLT) is one such location, and parking there is managed as a joint venture between RTA and DMCC (Dubai Multi Commodities Center). The hourly parking rates in JLT range from AED 4 to AED 10.
Additionally, RTA has started charging AED 10 per hour for Prime Parking in JLT. However, this kind of parking is only permitted for a total of three hours at once. It’s crucial to note that JLT parking does not accept seasonal RTA parking cards. To pay for parking in this location, utilize a smart payment system like mParking or the RTA Dubai smartphone app.
The majority of the parking facilities in JLT are managed by Concordia, a joint venture between DMCC and EMCOR Facilities Services (EFS). Under the direction of DMCC, the JLT’s master developer, they make sure that parking is managed effectively in the neighborhood.
RTA Seasonal Parking Cards:
To provide more convenience to regular parkers, the RTA offers seasonal parking cards. These cards allow users to park in specific zones without the need for daily payments.
The RTA offers various types of seasonal parking cards, including:
Road Side Parking
Annual Seasonal Parking Cards: 4500, Half yearly Parking Cards: AED 2500 Quarterly Seasonal Parking Cards: 1400
Parking Lots:
Annual Seasonal Parking Cards: 2500, Half yearly Parking Cards: AED 1300 Quarterly Seasonal Parking Cards: 700
Parking Fines in Dubai:
- Non-payment of parking fees, or ticket is not visible. AED 150
- Exceeding parking time AED 100
- Exceeding maximum parking hours AED 100
- Obstruction/Misuse of parking facility AED 200
- Vehicle crossing the sidewalk or stand on it AED 200
- Use Forbidden Parking AED 200
- Parking a vehicle without plate number AED 1000
- Unauthorized usage of people of determination parking, or using expired permit, or a permit is not visible clearly.AED 1000
- Parking a vehicle in reserving parking, or not showing a permit AED 1000
- Car demonstration for sale or rent on a restricted area. AED 1000
- Implement parking umbrella without a permit. AED 1000
- Harmed or damaged parking, ticket machines or zone plates. AED 1000
- Removing parking, ticket machines or zone plates without permit AED 10000
Please note that these fines are subject to change and it’s always best to refer to the official regulations and updates provided by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) in Dubai
Five Violations that carry a Dh1,000 fine:
Looking for parking in Dubai? Don’t park in random places like in front of villas or on sidewalks, as it’s not only dangerous but can also get you fined Dh1,000. Instead, park in designated public parking spots with blue and orange signboards indicating it’s a paid parking area.
Here are five violations that carry a Dh1,000 fine:
- Parking without a plate number.
- Using a parking spot reserved for People of Determination without authorization or with an expired permit.
- Parking in a reserved spot without a permit.
- Putting a “for sale” or “for rent” sign on your car in a restricted area.
- Parking in front of a fire hydrant.
Payment Methods:
Dubai provides multiple payment methods to make paying for parking charges convenient for everyone. The available payment methods include:
- RTA Mobile App: Through the RTA app, consumers can use their smartphones to pay for parking. Additionally, it offers features like notifications before the parking session expires and parking space availability.
- Parking meters: These meters, which are scattered across parking lots, accept cash and prepaid parking cards.
- SMS Payment: Users can send an SMS to the designated number listed on parking signs to pay parking fees. The SMS must include the vehicle’s license plate number, the designated parking area, and the time frame for parking.
- Technology based on NFC (Near Field Communication). The RTA has built numerous POS access points for this reason. Users can quickly pay for their parking costs by just tapping their iPhones against any of these POS access points.
- Users can swiftly and easily finish their payment procedure by charging their RFID cards and tapping them on the parking fee payment device as needed. This makes paying for parking hassle-free because it eliminates the need for cash transactions or other complicated payment methods.
New parking signs in Dubai
To improve the simplicity and convenience of paying for parking, Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has recently put more than 17,500 new directing signs throughout the Emirate. These signs give drivers useful details about their choices for digital payment methods. Look for the tiny, vertical signs that say “Paid Parking Zone” beneath the bigger orange parking signs. These new signs are blue and white in design and include crucial information regarding parking fees.
- Zone number/code: The signs display a three-digit number followed by a letter, representing the specific parking zone code (e.g., 214 C).
- QR codes: Three Quick Response (QR) codes are included, allowing motorists to make parking payments using their smartphones.
- mParking number: The signs provide the mParking number (7275) that allows payment for parking via SMS.
- Tariff: A breakdown of parking charges based on the desired parking duration is mentioned on the signboard, along with the maximum number of hours available for parking.
- Charging hours: The paid parking hours, including timings during Ramadan, are specified on the signboard.
- SMS parking assistance: A QR code is included for users seeking more information about the correct format and terms of use for the SMS parking option.
Three smart ways to pay for parking: The signs feature three QR codes that enable convenient payment options. Here’s how you can utilize them:
- RTA app: Scanning the first QR code directs you to the RTA app, where you can pay for parking by selecting the “pay public parking fees” option. The app utilizes your smartphone’s location to identify the paid parking zone, allowing you to choose the desired parking duration.
- Apple Pay: If you own an iPhone, the second QR code enables payment through Apple Pay. By scanning the QR code, the RTA app’s parking ticket option will open automatically. You need to enter your mobile number, car number plate details, and parking duration. After reviewing the parking ticket summary, you can proceed to make the payment using Apple Pay.
- Whatsapp: Scanning the third QR code opens a conversation window in Whatsapp with the official RTA Whatsapp number (058 800 9090). The text message for paying for parking via Whatsapp will already be entered (e.g., ‘Parking 214 C’). By sending the message, the parking ticket cost will be deducted from your mParking account balance.
Setting up an mParking account balance:
Through the RTA Dubai app, you may quickly set up a mParking account if you don’t already have one. Use your UAE Pass account to log in, then go to “Road users” and choose “Parking.” Select “Top up parking account” and then enter the desired amount (between Dh10 and Dh500) to be topped up. To finish the transaction using Apple Pay, your DubaiNow account, or a credit/debit card, simply follow the on-screen instructions.
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