Mawaqif in Abu Dhabi

What is Mawaqif?

In 2009, the Abu Dhabi Department of Transport introduced the system of Mawaqif to ensure a hassle-free vehicle parking system across the emirate. It is fundamentally a public parking facility that helps individuals in looking for suitable parking spaces with convenient payment options. As you go through the article, you will understand the entire structure of Mawaqif Abu Dhabi. 

What are the Types of Parking Permits Available in Abu Dhabi? 

With Abu Dhabi having different types of parking permits, individuals can select a suitable one before parking their vehicles. Discussed below are the major options available under the same –

Limited-Term Public Parking

The Integrated Transport Centre (ITC) in Abu Dhabi also provides a limited-term public parking option to all. The standard surface public parking area is available for individuals, customers, and companies. For identification purposes, the standard parking space is symbolized with blue and black paint in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain.

The following table states the parking charges as per the validity of the permit –  

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

The process of applying for a limited-term parking permit is pretty convenient. All you need to do is visit the official website of ITC (itc.gov.ae) and navigate to the E-services section. Follow the on-screen prompted step-by-step instructions to complete the application process.

Make sure to keep the necessary documents like your Emirates ID and vehicle registration card available during the application process. 

Before applying for limited-term public parking, here are a few things that you must keep in mind.

• Mawaqif’s limited-term permit replaces the regular parking ticket for standard parking but not the resident parking permit 

• Those who avail of the limited-term parking permits cannot use reserved parking spaces and cannot park their vehicle in prohibited areas

• Individuals with limited time permits are prohibited from parking their vehicles in villa areas, residential areas, and premium parking areas that are symbolized with ‘white and blue’ paint

• Limited-term permit holders who plan to travel outside Abu Dhabi or the UAE have to mandatorily submit a document stating their request to park their respective vehicles in a specific parking spot. This is a necessary step if you want to prevent the towing of your vehicle.

Residential Public Permits

Individuals who are residential property owners or tenants can apply for this type of parking permits in Abu Dhabi. Immediate family members (father, mother, brother, sister, wife, and son) of owners or tenants are also eligible to apply for the residential, public permit. However, they only qualify for such a permit if they are staying in the same home.

No extra charges are required if the residents park their vehicles in the paid parking space that is situated in the applicant’s residential area. 

4 free parking are allotted to the residents and each permit allows only one vehicle. The parking permit can be easily availed from any Mawaqif service centre.

Here is how you can obtain this permit –  

1. Fill out the application with accurate information
2. Submit the required documents
3. Once done, complete the payment process
4. Reach out to the Department of Transport to obtain the parking permit

Fee Structure for Residential Permits

The fee required for a residential permit is as follows –

• Fee for UAE nationals residing in apartments: Free for 4 vehicles
• Fee for UAE nationals residing in villas – Free

For UAE ex-pats living in rental apartments and villas in Abu Dhabi, the fees are –

• For the first vehicle: AED 800
• For the second vehicle: AED 1,200

Mawaqif Multi-Storey Parking

There are 8 Mawaqif multi-storey parking located across Abu Dhabi. Refer to the table below to know the location and the number of parking available for different categories of individuals –  

Mawaqif Multi-Storey Parking Location	Total Slots	Availability of Parking Slots for Ladies	Availability of Parking Slots for People of Determination
Behind Zakher Hotel – opposite Maria Cinema	437	18	1
Behind LIWA Centre	394	26	4
Al Dana Multi-Storey Parking	583	42	6
LIWA Street	305	26	4
Behind Health Ministry	487	18	6
Corniche	723	18	4
Behind Al-Noor Hospital	857	26	8
Madinat Zayed	722	None	4

Keep in mind that Madinat Zayed multi-storey parking is used as a surface parking area. 

Fee for Mawaqif Multi-Storey Parking 

Given below are the fees charged for the Mawaqif multi-storey parking as per the duration –  

For 1 hour – AED 2

For 1 day – AED 15

For 3 months – AED 1,369

For 6 months – AED 2,738

For 12 months – AED 5,475

What are the Payment Methods Available for Mawaqif in Abu Dhabi? 

Individuals can use any of the following methods to recharge or top-up their Mawaqif accounts –  

Mawaqif Rechargeable Cards

Motorists must link their Mawaqif rechargeable cards with Mawaqif accounts to use the service. The rechargeable card comes for AED 50, and the same balance is credited to your card initially. In order to use the service, you must activate the card first. 

How to Activate the Mawaqif Rechargeable Card? 

As mentioned above, Mawaqif rechargeable cards are one of the payment methods for parking in Abu Dhabi. Here’s how you can activate this card –

1. Visit the official website of the Integrated Transport Centre 
2. Apply for a Mawaqif account
3. If you already have a Mawaqif account, log into the portal using your credentials 
4. Tap on the ‘Link Rechargeable Card’ option and provide your card details 
5. After your Mawaqif rechargeable card has been activated, a confirmation message will be sent to your registered mobile number. You will also receive a message mentioning the current balance of your card.  

M-Mawaqif Service

M-Mawaqif service is another way to conveniently pay parking fees in Abu Dhabi. Motorists can avail of this facility through Mawaqif portals. It is a value-added service and individuals can pay via their registered Etisalat or DU numbers.

The steps to do so are as follows –  

1. Type an SMS in the following format: Car colour and plate category <space> plate number <space> parking category “premium or standard” <space> duration in hours
2. Send the SMS to 3009
3. You will now receive a parking permit with your parking details on the registered mobile number 
4. Finally, parking attendants will validate your details

Mawaqif Parking SMS

One can also use the SMS facility to pay their parking fees by sending an SMS in the predefined SMS format discussed below –

1. The format for paying parking fees is City and Plate Code category <space> Plate number <space> Parking type <space> Duration
2. Enter relevant details and send them to 3009
3. You will receive a confirmation with your parking details

Via Darb App

The ITC has also launched a mobile application named, ‘Darb” for paying parking fees in Abu Dhabi, with this app allowing motorists to conveniently pay their parking fees without much hassle. Individuals can directly pay the tariff from their Darb e-wallet.

To seamlessly make the payment, simply install the application on your smartphone and complete the registration process. Once done, perform these steps – 

1. Click on the ‘Pay for parking’ icon
2. Choose your vehicle and the category of your parking space 
3. Enter the number of hours required for parking 
4. Confirm the entered details and make the Mawaqif online payment

An alternate way to perform the activation of your Mawaqif rechargeable card is via an SMS. In this case, simply send a message to 3009 in the following format – LINK <SPACE> CARD NUMBER <SPACE> CVC

Note: The rechargeable card number has 16 digits, while the CVC is a 3-digit number available on the right side of the card. After you create your account, make sure to top it up to utilise the paid parking in the emirate. 

What are the Charges for Public Parking in Abu Dhabi? 

There is a specific Mawaqif time period for parking in Abu Dhabi – one can use the Mawaqif parking between 8.00 am to 12.00 am. It must be noted that this service is operational from Saturday to Thursday.

As per the time, the parking fees are as follows –  

• Standard parking spaces: AED 2 per hour
• Standard parking spaces: AED 15 for 24-hours parking
• Premium parking spaces: AED 3 per hour

What is the Process of Mawaqif Renewal?

Individuals having a residential Mawaqif parking permit can follow the Mawaqif parking renewal process as discussed below for the same – 

1. Fill out the application carefully
2. Submit the application along with the required documents 
3. Once done, pay the fee required for the renewal of Mawaqif 
4. Finally, receive the renewal permit confirmation 

Note that you must carry a copy of your Emirates ID for the Mawaqif parking renewal process. 

The fee for Mawaqif renewal varies as per your nationality –  

Residential permit for UAE nationals – AED 0

Residential permit for expatriates: Annual fees for the first car – AED 800

Residential permit for expatriates: Annual fees for the second card – AED 1,200

Parking Fines in Abu Dhabi

While the laws are strictly enforced against illegal parking in all areas of Abu Dhabi, the Mawaqif system allows a grace period of 10 minutes for users who have parked their vehicles illegally. Nonetheless, those who fail to follow the Mawaqif rules stated by the authorities would be liable to pay fines.

The following is the list of fines imposed on individuals for not obeying the parking rules in the emirate –  

• Using pavements for parking vehicles –  AED 200
• Abuse of parking area – AED 200
• Parking vehicles in prohibited areas – AED 200

Have a look at what people are asking regarding Mawaqif Abu Dhabi –

FAQs

Q1. Is there a method to perform Mawaqif online payment?

Ans: Individuals can make Mawafiq online payments using the Darb app. 

Q2. Does Mawaqif offer free parking?

Ans: Yes, Mawaqif free parking is offered on Fridays and national holidays.

Q3. Is there a mobile application available for Mawaqif?

Ans: Yes, the Integrated Transport Centre in Abu Dhabi has introduced an app called ‘Darb’ through which motorists can pay parking tariffs.

Q5. What to do if I face issues with any of Mawaqif's services?

Ans: In case you face any problem regarding any Mawaqif service, immediately reach out to the support center of the Integrated Transport Centre by dialing 800850.

Policybazaar UAE – Helping you navigate the wilderness of the insurance world!