
Residents or visitors which are new to the city in Abu Dhabi it’s very normal to have confusions about Abu Dhabi Parking Rules. From early last year, all public parking zones in the emirate have become paid zones. There are exceptions during national holidays as implemented by the Abu Dhabi Department of Transport (DoT).
The Department of Transport launched Mawaqif Programme in October 2009, with the aim of establishing a world-class car parking management system in Abu Dhabi, making the process of searching for a parking spot much easier for the residents.
Types of Parking and rates

1.Standard Parking
– Kerbstone colour: Turquoise (Greenish blue) & Black
– Rates: AED 2 per hour/ AED 15 per day.
– Paid amount is applicable for all areas in Abu Dhabi.
– Maximum hours allowed: 24 Hours.
– Parking is free on Fridays, public holidays and for people with special needs.
– Parking bays in the vicinity of a mosque are free for 45 minutes starting from the call for prayer (Adhan).
– Fines: AED 200 if not paid for the parking within 10 minutes after the parking.
– Fines: AED 100 if forget to renew the parking after finishing the paid hours.
– Payment methods: Online, Card, SMS orparking machine (refer below for more details)
2.Premium Parking
– Kerbstone colour: Turquoise (Greenish blue) & White
– Rates: AED 3 per hour.
– Maximum hours allowed: 4 Hours.
– Parking is free on Fridays, public holidays and for people with special needs.
– Fines: AED 200 if not paid for the parking within 10 minutes after the parking.
– Fines: AED 100 if forget to renew the parking after finishing the paid hours.
– Payment methods: Online, Card, SMS or parking machine (refer below for more details).
– Easily identified through Mawaqif signs marked with premium parking.
1.Resident Permits Designated Parking Areas
– Kerbstone colour: Turquoise (Greenish blue) & Black.
– Rates: AED 2 per hour/ AED 15 per day.
– Paid amount is applicable for all areas in Abu Dhabi.
– Maximum time allowed without permit: 8 am to 9pm.
– Maximum time allowed with permit: 24 Hours.
– Parking is free on Fridays, public holidays and for people with special needs.
– Parking bays in the vicinity of a mosque are free for 45 minutes starting from the call for prayer (Adhan).
– Fines: AED 200 if not paid for the parking within 10 minutes after the parking.
– Fines: AED 100 if forget to renew the parking after finishing the paid hours.
– Fines: AED 200 parking after 9pm or before 8am without permit.
– Payment methods: Online, Card, SMS or parking machine (refer below for more details).
2.Villa Resident Permits Designated Parking Areas
– Kerbstone colour: Turquoise (Greenish blue) & Black.
– Not allowed to park without permit.
– Fines: AED 500 if park the car without permit.
MAWAQIF Public Multi-Storey car parks

Mawaqif operates eight public multi-storey car parks in Abu Dhabi, and they are being managed as the surface parking areas:
Duration | Fees |
1 hour | AED 2 |
1 day | AED 15 |
3 months | AED 1369 |
6 months | AED 2738 |
12 months | AED 5475 |
I hope you enjoyed this short guide. If you have any more questions that didn’t get answered, you can contact us.
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