Sharjah SMS Parking: How to Pay & Parking Timings 2025

Sharjah’s streets were completely changed by SMS parking. Before, drivers drove around blocks looking for parking meters that worked. Meanwhile, coins always seemed to go missing when they were needed the most.

The system we have now works differently. You send a text to 5566 with your car’s information, and you get an instant confirmation. The system also sends reminders before time runs out, making it almost impossible to get a fine.

There are now over 5,000 parking spaces in the city that accept SMS payments. Additionally, new smart zones can charge you automatically without you having to send any texts.

We will talk about every part of SMS parking in Sharjah, such as:

• Basic SMS format: what to type and where to send it
• Payment costs: hourly rates plus service fees
• Timing rules: when you pay, and when parking stays free
• Extension methods: adding time without returning to your car
• Alternative options: apps, cards, and online payments
• Troubleshooting: fixing common problems quickly

What Is SMS Parking in Sharjah? 

To be honest, it’s a pain to find coins for parking meters, and Sharjah got rid of this problem. Now all you have to do is grab your phone, send a quick text, and well, you’re parked legally.

SMS parking is when you pay for your parking spot by sending a text message, and all you need is your phone and 30 seconds.

Here’s How It Works in 30 Seconds:

1. You can park your car anywhere in Sharjah’s paid areas. 
2. After that, just text 5566 with the information about your car. 
3. Then, you will get a confirmation text back in a few seconds, and that’s your parking permit. 
4. Keep that message safe; it’s proof that you paid.

Why This Is Better Than Old Parking Meters?

Here’s why SMS parking always wins:

• You don’t need cash; your phone bill takes care of everything.
• Works from anywhere, even if you’re already in a building.
• If you are late, you can just send “Y.”
• Never lose a ticket because your confirmation SMS is stored safely

You can even extend your parking time without having to run back to your car. That’s pretty cool when you’re stuck in a long meeting.

How to Pay for Parking via SMS in Sharjah? (Step-by-Step Guide)

Every parking SMS follows the same simple pattern. 

[Where your car is from] [Your plate number] [How many hours]

So, if you have a Sharjah plate number 1234 and want 2 hours of parking, you type:

SHJ 1234 2

Then send it to 5566. That’s it. Within moments, you’ll get a confirmation message back. Save that message since it’s your parking permit.

The spaces between each part matter, so don’t skip them. Also, keep the format exactly like this, or the system might reject your payment.

Sharjah SMS Parking Code for Different Emirates

Do you live in Dubai but park in Sharjah? Not a problem. The system can read plates from all of the emirates. Just type in the right code:

• Sharjah plates: SHJ
• Dubai plates: DXB
• Abu Dhabi plates: AUH
• Ajman plates: AJM
• Ras Al Khaimah plates: RAK
• Fujairah plates: FUJ
• Umm Al Quwain plates: UAQ

So if you’re driving a Dubai-registered car with plate D5678 and want 3 hours of parking, your message looks like this:

DXB D5678 3

Want Your Sharjah SMS Parking Permit in Arabic? Here’s How

Some people like getting their confirmation messages in Arabic. That’s completely understandable; Just put the letter “A” at the start of your message. The rest stays the same.

• Regular format: SHJ 1234 2
• Arabic version: A SHJ 1234 2

After that, your confirmation will come in Arabic instead of English. Both versions work the same way; it’s just a matter of what you like best.

What Are the Current Sharjah Parking Timings?

Parking hours in Sharjah got a major update recently. Now there are two different timing systems depending on where you park.

Standard Zones vs Blue Sign Zones

Look around when you park. See any blue information signs nearby? If yes, you’re in a special zone with different rules.

1. Standard zones work like they always have. You pay from 8 AM to 10 PM, Saturday through Thursday. Meanwhile, Fridays and holidays stay free.
2. Blue sign zones are the new kids on the block. These areas require payment from 8 AM all the way to midnight. Plus, they charge every single day, even on Fridays and holidays.

The blue signs are pretty obvious when you see them. They’re specifically designed to catch your attention.

Zone Type	Days	Timing	Free Periods
Standard	Sat-Thu	8 AM – 10 PM	Fri + Holidays
Blue Sign	All Week	8 AM – Midnight	None

So if you park at 9 PM on a Saturday in a standard zone, you only pay until 10 PM. However, in a blue zone, you’d pay until midnight.

Free Parking Days and Exceptions in Sharjah 

Standard zones still give you breaks:

• Every Friday is completely free
• Public holidays have no charges
• Special occasions are sometimes announced by the municipality

Blue zones never take a break, though. They charge 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

During Ramadan, some areas extend free hours, but blue zones typically keep their regular schedule.

How Much Does SMS Parking Cost in Sharjah?

Sharjah parking stays pretty affordable compared to other emirates, and every SMS costs an extra 38 fils on top of the parking fee. 

Basically, the longer you stay, the better the hourly rate gets:

• 1 hour: AED 2 + 0.38 service fee = AED 2.38
• 2 hours: AED 5 + 0.38 service fee = AED 5.38
• 3 hours: AED 8 + 0.38 service fee = AED 8.38
• 5 hours: AED 12 + 0.38 service fee = AED 12.38

Notice how 5 hours only costs AED 12.38? That’s actually cheaper per hour than buying individual hours.

For example, if you buy 5 separate 1-hour sessions, you’d pay:

• 5 × AED 2.38 = AED 11.90

But buying 5 hours at once only costs AED 12.38. Plus, you save yourself four extra text messages.

How To Pay for Full-Day Parking in Sharjah?

There is no full-day Sharjah parking, and SMS parking maxes out at 5 hours. That’s it.

But if you need longer parking, you’ve got options like:

• Extend via SMS: reply “Y” before your time runs out
• Buy parking subscriptions: daily, weekly, or monthly plans
• Use parking apps: Sharjah Digital or Mawaqif apps
• Find long-term lots: usually cheaper for full days

For example, if you need 8 hours of parking:

• Buy 5 hours via SMS (AED 12.38)
• Then extend with another 3-hour session (AED 8.38)
• Total: AED 20.76

Actually, that’s still pretty reasonable for a full workday in the city center.

How to Extend Your Parking Time in Sharjah?

Running late happens to everyone. Fortunately, extending parking in Sharjah takes about 10 seconds.

Reply “Y” to Extend for One More Hour

When your parking time almost ends, you get a reminder SMS. Simply reply with the letter “Y” to that message. That’s it. No new format needed, no plate numbers again. Just “Y” and send.

You’ll get a fresh confirmation showing your new end time. Each extension adds exactly one hour to your current session.

For example:

• Original parking: 2 PM to 4 PM
• Reply “Y” at 3:50 PM
• New end time: 5 PM

10-Minute Reminder System 

Sharjah sends you a heads-up text exactly 10 minutes before your parking expires, and it gives you enough time to:

• Decide if you need more time
• Reply “Y” if staying longer
• Head back to your car if leaving
• Avoid any chance of getting fined

The reminder comes to the same phone number you used for payment. So keep your phone handy during long meetings.

What Happens If You Don’t Extend?

Your parking permit will end on its own. Then, parking enforcement can start giving out tickets right after the time runs out.

If you park after the time limit, you will have to pay AED 100 and which costs a lot more than just extending for AED 2.38.

You also can’t extend after the expiration date. When the time is up, you have to start over with a new SMS payment.

Do You Need to Register First for Sharjah SMS Parking? 

These vehicle types must register before using SMS parking:

• GCC plates: cars from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, etc.
• Non-private UAE plates: taxis, rental cars, commercial vehicles
• Government vehicles: municipality, police, federal plates

Registration takes about 5 minutes online. Then you use a username instead of your plate number in SMS messages.

How to Register at the Sharjah Municipality Website

Follow these steps on the Sharjah Municipality website:

1. Visit www.shjmun.gov.ae
2. Click “Smart Services”
3. Select “Public Parking Department Services”
4. Choose “SMS Parking Registration”
5. Fill in your vehicle and contact details
6. Pick a username for your car
7. Submit and wait for activation

After registration, your SMS format changes to: [Username] [Hours]

So if your username is “Ahmad123” and you need 2 hours: Ahmad123 2

Who Can Start Using SMS Immediately?

These drivers can skip registration completely:

• UAE private plates: regular passenger cars with standard plates
• Du users: any vehicle with the Du mobile service
• Etisalat customers: cars registered to Etisalat numbers
• Virgin Mobile subscribers: vehicles linked to Virgin accounts

Just use the regular format: [Emirate Code] [Plate Number] [Hours]

What Are the Major Paid Parking Zones in Sharjah?

Right now, more than 5,000 paid parking spots are available in different neighborhoods. Some places charge for parking everywhere, while others only charge for certain streets.

The main paid parking zones include these major districts:

Area Name	Key Streets/Locations
Al Ghuwair	Al Ghuwair Street, surrounding commercial areas
Al Nabaa	Central Al Nabaa district, shopping areas
Al Majaz	Corniche area, Al Majaz Waterfront, parks
Al Soor	Old city center, traditional souks
Umm Al Tarafa	Residential and commercial mixed zones
Al Jubail	Main Al Jubail road, side streets
Al Mareija	Al Mareija Street and connecting roads
Al Musalla	Al Zahra Street in the Al Musalla area
Al Mahata	Around transportation hubs
Al Munakh	Commercial district near the airport

Additional zones cover:

• Al Khuzaimah: residential parking near services
• Al Abar: mixed commercial and residential
• Halwan: mainly evening and weekend parking
• Samana: neighborhood commercial streets
• Semnan: around shopping centers
• Al Shuwaihean: inner streets with high demand

New Zones Added in 2025

Sharjah expanded paid parking to outer areas this year:

Al Dhaid launched on January 1, 2025:

• 1,900 new parking spaces
• 19 payment kiosks installed
• 7 large guidance boards for directions
• 161 directional signs throughout the area

Kalba also joined the paid parking system:

• Coastal tourism areas now charge fees
• Popular beach and shopping districts included
• The same SMS system works throughout Kalba

Both new zones follow standard Sharjah timing from 8 AM to 10 PM, Saturday through Thursday.

Check for blue signs in these areas because some sections might have extended midnight hours.

Are Sharjah Parking Subscriptions Worth Considering?

Daily parking fees add up fast. Especially if you work in central Sharjah or visit frequently.

Parking subscriptions might save you money since they eliminate the hassle of sending SMS messages every single day.

Personal Car Subscriptions

Sharjah offers several subscription options for regular drivers:

Duration	Cost Range	Best For
Weekly	AED 120-140	Short business trips
Monthly	AED 400-450	Regular commuters
Quarterly	AED 1000+	Long-term workers
Annual	AED 2,300	Daily city drivers

The math is pretty straightforward. If you park 5 days a week at AED 12.38 for 5 hours daily, you spend about AED 270 monthly. Meanwhile, a monthly subscription costs AED 400-450.

So subscriptions only make sense if you park for shorter periods or need flexibility across multiple zones.

Commercial Vehicle Options

Businesses get different rates since their parking needs vary significantly:

Short-term commercial subscriptions:

• 10 days: AED 170
• 20 days: AED 290
• 30 days: AED 390

Long-term commercial rates:

• 3 months: AED 1,050
• 6 months: AED 1,750
• 12 months: AED 2,850

Delivery trucks and service vehicles benefit most from these plans. They can park anywhere without worrying about SMS payments or time limits.

When Subscriptions Make Financial Sense

Run the numbers before buying subscriptions:

• Daily 5+ hour parking = subscriptions usually cost more
• Frequent short stops = subscriptions save money and time
• Multiple zone parking = subscriptions offer more flexibility
• Business vehicles = subscriptions reduce administrative hassle

For example, if you make 3 short visits daily (1 hour each), SMS costs AED 7.14 daily. That’s AED 156 monthly. So, a monthly subscription at AED 400 doesn’t make sense.

However, if you make 10 short stops weekly across different zones, subscriptions become convenient even if slightly more expensive.

Alternative Payment Methods Beyond SMS

Your phone died at the worst time possible. Or maybe you’re just tired of sending SMS messages every time you park.

Don’t worry; Sharjah has a lot of ways to help you. 

Parking Machines (The Old Reliable Option)

Those metal boxes that are all over the parking lots still work perfectly. They mostly take coins and print paper tickets right away.

How to use parking machines?

• Find the machine, which is usually within 50 meters of parking spots.
• Insert only an AED 1 or AED 5 coin.s 
• Choose how long you need to park by pressing the buttons for the hours you need.
• Get your ticket; the machine prints the receipt straight away.
• Put the ticket on the dashboard so that people outside can see it.

Coin requirements include:

• AED 1 coins for short visits (30 minutes to 2 hours)
• Coins worth AED 5 for longer periods of time (3+ hours)
• No change will be given back, so bring the right amount.

Tip: Keep a small coin purse in your car. If not, you’ll spend more time looking for change than parking.

Sharjah Parking App (The Smart Choice)

This official app takes care of everything, from paying for parking to paying off fines. Once you download it, you’ll never have to think about SMS again.

1. To get the app, search for “Sharjah Digital” on the App Store or Google Play.
2. Use your Emirates ID to verify your account.
3. Enter the license plate number and other registration information to add your vehicle.
4. Link a payment method, like a credit card or a bank account.
5. Turn on notifications so you get reminders before parking runs out.

How to use it every day?

• After you park, open the app.
• Choose “Parking Payment” from the main menu.
• If you have more than one car registered, choose the one you want to park. 
• Confirm payment, and your linked card will be charged shortly by the app.

How to extend the timing with the app?

• The Sharjah parking app sends push notifications 10 minutes before the end of the time limit.
• Press the “Extend” button without opening the whole app.
• Charges for extra hours happen automatically.

Sharjah parking app keeps track of your parking history, which helps you see how much you spend each month.

Mawaqif App (The Multi-Emirate Solution)

The Mawaqif app works across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah and is perfect if you travel between emirates regularly for work or family visits.

How to Install the Mawaqif App?

1. Download Mawaqif from official app stores
2. Create a new account with a phone number 
3. Add a minimum AED 10 balance credit 
4. Register vehicles

Parking payment process:

1. Open the Mawaqif app once parked
2. Tap the “Start Parking” button
3. Enter the zone number, which is displayed on nearby signs
4. Select a vehicle from your registered list
5. Choose a duration, but the app also calculates the total cost
6. Confirm payment

Prepaid Cards (The Offline Backup)

Physical parking cards work without an internet connection or phone battery. Buy once, use repeatedly until credit runs out.

Where to buy prepaid cards?

• Municipality offices: all customer service centers
• Major shopping malls: City Centre, Sahara Centre, Al Majaz Mall
• Petrol stations: ADNOC, EPPCO locations in Sharjah
• Selected supermarkets: Carrefour, Lulu hypermarkets

The card setup process is:

1. Purchase card: minimum AED 50 credit required
2. Activate at the machine: insert the card and follow the prompts
3. Set PIN number: 4-digit code for security
4. Load additional credit: top up as needed

How to use prepaid cards?

1. Find a card reader machine; newer parking areas have them
2. Insert your card 
3. Enter PIN
4. Select parking time 
5. Remove card

What Parking Fines Should You Avoid? 

The most expensive parking mistakes include:

Violation	Fine Amount	Why It’s Costly
No ticket/SMS	AED 150	Most common violation
Exceeding time	AED 100	Easy to forget
Handicapped spots	AED 1,000	Extremely serious offense
Reserved spaces	AED 1,000	Often unmarked clearly
Car washing in the parking	AED 500	Surprising to many drivers

Additional violations carry heavy penalties:

• Blocking vehicle movement: AED 200
• Misusing parking equipment: AED 500
• Parking without a license: AED 1,000
• Covering parking devices: AED 500

The AED 1,000 fines really sting. That’s equivalent to 2-3 months of regular parking payments.

Consider these actual scenarios:

Scenario 1: 

• You park for 2 hours but only pay for 1 hour via SMS. 
• Fine: AED 100. 
• Total cost: AED 102.38 instead of AED 5.38.

Scenario 2: 

• You park in what looks like a regular spot, but it’s reserved for handicapped drivers. 
• Fine: AED 1,000. 
• That’s 400+ hours of regular parking fees.

Scenario 3: 

• You wash your car while parked in a public space. 
• Fine: AED 500. 

Sharjah Smart Parking System in 2025

Sharjah just rolled out some seriously cool parking tech. Two areas now scan your license plate automatically and charge you based on how long you actually stay.

Al Khan and Al Nad Smart Zones

These two neighborhoods got the full smart parking makeover. When you drive into designated areas, cameras immediately spot your car and start tracking time.

Al Khan smart parking covers:

• Corniche area near restaurants and cafes
• Beach access points and recreational zones
• Shopping areas along the main Al Khan Street

Al Nad smart parking includes:

• Commercial district parking spaces
• Office building areas during business hours
• Mixed-use zones with retail and services

Currently, 392 spaces operate under the smart system across both locations. The municipality plans to expand this number significantly throughout 2025.

• Al Khan: 240 smart spaces
• Al Nad: 152 smart spaces

How Sharjah Smart Parking System Work?

Cameras positioned at zone entrances and exits capture your plate number instantly.

The scanning process is:

1. The camera detects your vehicle entering the zone
2. The system records the exact entry time automatically
3. The database checks your plate against registered vehicles
4. The timer starts counting your parking duration
5. Exit cameras calculate the total time when you leave

The cameras work day and night, rain or shine. They capture clear images even during sandstorms or heavy traffic periods.

What If Something Goes Wrong with Sharjah SMS Parking?

Most parking payment problems have quick fixes that get you legal again within minutes.

• “Transaction Failed” Error: This error usually means insufficient phone credit or network problems. Check your balance first, then try sending the SMS again. Sometimes, waiting 2-3 minutes and retrying solves network congestion issues.
• Wrong Format Rejection: The system rejects messages with incorrect spacing or codes. Double-check your plate number and emirate code. Remember that spaces matter between each part of the message. Also, avoid using periods or special characters.
• Lost Confirmation SMS: Your confirmation message disappeared from your phone? Contact customer support immediately at 800-1222. They can resend confirmation or verify your payment status using your plate number and timing.
• App Not Loading: Close the app completely and restart it. Then, check your internet connection; both WiFi and mobile data work. Also, update the app if you haven’t done so recently and clear the app cache if problems persist.
• Payment Charged Twice: Sometimes, network delays cause duplicate charges. Keep your original confirmation SMS and call 800 1222. Refunds typically process within 3-5 business days once verified.

Sharjah SMS Parking Last Words

SMS parking made it a lot easier to get around Sharjah. What used to need exact change and perfect timing can now be done with simple text messages.

The system is also changing all the time. Smart zones do away with even SMS requirements, and mobile apps add layers of convenience that no one saw coming just a few years ago.

SMS parking has real benefits over other ways of parking, such as:

• Speed: It only takes 30 seconds to pay instead of looking for machines.
• Flexibility: You can extend the time from anywhere.
• Dependability: works with all UAE mobile networks
• Cost-effectiveness: clear prices with no extra costs.
• Convenience: You don’t have to worry about losing or showing physical tickets.

FAQs