How to Pay for Parking in Sharjah with SMS

Sharjah is one of the most advanced cities in the Middle East and a great destination for business owners, tourists, and job seekers. 

It has modern and sustainable infrastructure to facilitate the daily life of residents and expats. The government has tried to use modern technologies for all needs, including parking payment, to save time and reduce friction.

You can easily pay for parking using SMS all over Sharjah. This is one of the easiest payment methods for Parking, but you need to learn how to send the SMS.

Here is a quick guide to SMS parking in Sharjah:

What is SMS Parking in Sharjah?

First, let’s see what the SMS parking payment system is:

SMS parking in Sharjah is a mobile-based parking payment system. It was introduced by the Sharjah Roads and Transport Authority (SRTA).

Using this system, you can pay for public parking in Sharjah by sending a simple text message from your mobile phone.

So, you don’t need cash and coins or even visiting parking meters when you want to park your car beside the streets in Sharjah,

You just need to send a message to activate your parking session remotely. Then, you’ll receive a confirmation SMS as a virtual parking ticket.

The good news is that you don’t need to be a resident in Sharjah to use this system. The service works for:

• Sharjah-registered vehicles
• Vehicles from other UAE emirates
• Rental cars and visiting drivers

Also, it doesn’t need any prior registration or app installation. This makes SMS parking payment one of the fastest methods.

Why Use SMS Parking in Sharjah?

The most important advantage of SMS parking in Sharjah is its simplicity and reliability. The majority of drivers prefer such a payment system due to:

1. Convenience: You can pay for parking anywhere in Sharjah without leaving your car or using any application.

2. No Cash Required: The parking charge will be paid directly from your mobile balance, and you don’t need cash, coins, or a credit card.

3. Time-Saving: You don’t need to search for parking meters, kiosks, or load any application.

4. Flexible Duration: It’s possible to choose your parking duration and renew it if you need to stay longer.

5. Works Without Internet: If you’re a tourist without local apps or don’t want to connect to the internet, SMS parking payment is perfect for you.

6. Accessible for All Vehicles: All vehicles, including local, non-local, and rentals, can use SMS parking in Sharjah.

How to Pay for Parking in Sharjah: Step-by-Step

As said earlier, paying for parking in Sharjah via SMS is simple. Here is a quick guide:

1. Find the Parking Zone Code

Each paid parking area in Sharjah has a zone number. The government usually displays this number on signboards in each zone. It’s a 4-digit number like 1234 that you must note before sending your SMS.

2. Learn the SMS Format

You should write the Sharjah parking payment SMS with a specific format and send it to 5566. Depending on your vehicle registration, the format might vary. 

If your car is registered in Sharjah, you have to use the following format:

<Plate Number> <Zone Number> <Duration>

As you see, it’s a three-part code. Remember that there is a space between two consecutive parts of the parking SMS template.

Here are two sample payment SMS for parking if you have a vehicle registered in Sharjah:

• SHJ12345 1234 2
• SHJ67890 5678 1

In these codes, the first part is your car’s plate number. The second part is the zone number, displayed on signboards. More importantly, the last part is the parking duration in hours. So, if you want to park for 2 hours, you have to write 2.

If you’re from another emirate and your car is not registered in Sharjah, you have to add your emirate code at the beginning of the SMS code without a space.

Here is the SMS template for parking payment in Sharjah if you have a non-registered car:

<Emirate Code><Plate Number> <Zone Number> <Duration>

Look at the following SMS samples to see how it works:

• DXB12345 1234 2
• AUH67890 5678 1

As you see, you have to write the emirate code and the plate number without any spaces between them. Also, it’s good to know your emirate code, like DXB, AUH, SHJ, AJM, RAK, UAQ, and FUJ.

3. Send the SMS to 5566

After writing the SMS in the right format, you need to send it to 5566.

4. Wait for Confirmation

The SMs parking system will send you a confirmation SMS within moments. This message is important and acts as official proof of your parking payment. So, don’t remove it and try to keep it at least until your parking session ends.

If you don’t receive the confirmation, try the following methods:

• Resend the SMS
• Ensure you have sufficient mobile credit
• Contact SRTA support if needed

5. Extend Your Parking Time

If you need to stay longer, you can send a new SMS with the same format and updated duration. Remember that you have to do this before your parking expires to avoid fines.

Sharjah Parking Fees in 2025

Parking fees in Sharjah depend on the area and duration. Take a look at the following table to see the pricing structure of Sharjah public parking:

Parking Type	Areas / Zones	Fee
Standard Public Parking	Most city zones	AED 2/hour
Premium / Busy Areas	Commercial zones	AED 3/hour
Long-Stay Areas	Select zones	AED 5/day
Residential Zones	Permit-based	Varies

Fortunately, Sharjah offers free parking during specific times, including:

• 10:00 PM – 8:00 AM
• All day on Fridays
• Public holidays

Sharjah Parking Fines

If you don’t pay for parking in Sharjah, you’ll be fined by the government. The following table lists what you have to pay if you violate payment rules:

Violation	Fine
No parking payment (no SMS sent)	AED 150
Incorrect SMS format (wrong plate/zone/duration)	AED 150
Parking after paid time expires	AED 100
Exceeding the maximum allowed parking duration	AED 100
Parking in a paid zone during restricted hours	AED 150
Parking in permit-only residential zones	AED 250
Blocking driveways, entrances, or traffic	AED 500+

As you see, fines are considerable, so you have to use the SMS parking system correctly to avoid violations.

Here are some tips to get rid of fines:

• Double-check your SMS format before sending
• Make sure of the correct zone number using the signboard
• Check if you have sufficient mobile balance for parking and SMS charges
• Save the confirmation SMS until your session ends
• Renew your parking on time if you want use the parking spot longer

SMS Parking Payment vs. Other Methods in Sharjah

SMS parking is a popular choice in Sharjah. However, it’s not the only option available to pay for parking.

Here is a comparison between SMS parking and other options:

Method	How It Works	Best For
SMS Parking	Text details to 5566	Quick, no internet
Parking Meters	Coin or card-based	Traditional users
Seasonal Parking Permits	Monthly or annual passes	Residents, daily commuters
Mobile Apps	App-based payments	Frequent smartphone users

Final Thoughts

Sharjah is a modern city that provides the most advanced technologies in public services, even in parking payment. They use a smart SMS method to pay for public parking without using any app or parking meters. You just need to send a text to the SMS parking number and receive a confirmation. We reviewed every detail you need to write the SMS in the right format to have safe parking in Sharjah. If you enter the duration and other details correctly, you don’t need to worry about fines. 

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