If you live in Abu Dhabi, you may have noticed the new upgraded digital Mawaqif parking payment machines, which issue e-tickets rather than printed parking tickets. The Integrated Transport Centre (ITC), Abu Dhabi’s transportation authority, has launched a new parking system that provides motorists with a completely digital experience. As a result, you would no longer need to place a physical paper ticket on the dashboard of your car.
However, if you are concerned about how to use the new digital system, here are the steps to take.
How to use the new Mawaqif parking machines?
ITC posted a video tutorial on how to use the new parking machines on their social media channels on October 4. Here are the steps you must take:
- Select Arabic or English as your preferred language at the parking machine.
- Next, choose between standard and premium Mawaqif tickets.
- Next, enter your vehicle’s license plate number and code.
- Finally, select the parking duration.
- Choose between cash, Mawaqif cards (rechargeable cards that can be used to pay for public parking), and credit/debit cards as a payment method.
- Pay for parking based on the length of time you will be parked.
- You will then see on the screen a confirmation that your payment was accepted. The parking ticket payment and vehicle will be automatically linked to the ITC system.
What is the difference between standard and premium parking in Abu Dhabi?
You will notice that there are two types of parking spaces in Abu Dhabi. The color of the curb around the parking area is an easy way to identify them:
Standard parking
In these areas, the curb would be blue and black.
Quite often, a signboard in these parking areas will read ‘Resident Permit Only,’ indicating that these spaces are not open to regular motorists at certain times of the day. Only residents with a parking permit are permitted to use these spaces at night, from 9 p.m. to 8 a.m. every day. Non-permit holders, on the other hand, can use these parking spaces for the rest of the day by paying the parking fees.
These spaces cost Dh2 per hour or Dh15 for the entire day.
Premium parking
A blue and white curb, on the other hand, denotes premium parking. The cost of parking in Premium Parking areas is Dh3 per hour, and you can park your car for a maximum of four hours.
Parking timings in Abu Dhabi
Parking is required from 8 a.m. to 12 a.m., Saturday to Thursday. On Sundays and holidays, parking is free.
Furthermore, if you are in a ‘Resident Permit Only’ zone, you are not permitted to park in the area after 9 p.m., as previously stated.