If your parking ticket is about to expire, it is crucial not to procrastinate when it comes to renewing it. This is especially true if you have parked your car in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, or Ajman, as there is no grace period for parking ticket renewal in these cities. However, there are convenient options available that can make the process easier and more beneficial for you.
By utilizing the online platform or the mParking option, you can enjoy several advantages. Not only is this approach more environmentally friendly, but it also allows you to renew your ticket up to 15 minutes before it expires, ensuring that you do not waste any time on the ticket.
In the United Arab Emirates, parking authorities typically send alerts to your mobile number 15 minutes before the expiry time. If you respond to this message with a simple ‘Y’ indicating your desire to renew the ticket, it will be extended for an additional hour immediately after the original expiry time. This system ensures that you have ample time to renew your ticket and avoid any unnecessary penalties.
Is there any other grace period for parking?
If you park your car in front of a grocery store to quickly grab a snack without paying for public parking, will you still receive a fine?
The local transportation authorities in the UAE have previously announced the implementation of grace periods for public parking. These grace periods allow motorists to temporarily park their cars for a few minutes before they are required to pay the parking fees.
Now, let’s take a look at the maximum time limits for paying the parking fees in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, and Ajman.
Abu Dhabi
In 2018, the Integrated Transport Centre (ITC) of Abu Dhabi introduced a new policy granting motorists a 10-minute grace period for paying public parking fees. This initiative aimed to provide convenience and flexibility to drivers. It is worth noting that as of today, the grace period remains in effect, as confirmed by the ITC call center at 800850.
Dubai
According to the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) in Dubai, motorists are granted a 10-minute grace period to park their vehicles before they are required to pay the parking fee. This means that you have a brief window of time to find a suitable parking spot and then proceed with the payment process.
Sharjah
Sharjah offers motorists a generous grace period of 10 minutes to settle their parking fees from the moment they park their vehicles. There are multiple convenient options available for payment, including parking meters, SMS Parking, and the user-friendly Digital Sharjah app.
Nevertheless, in March 2023, Sharjah City Municipality (SCM) issued a reminder to all motorists that simply remaining inside their parked cars in a public parking area does not exempt them from paying the applicable parking tariffs. SCM emphasized that if the driver occupies the parking space, they are obligated to pay the corresponding fee.
Ajman
According to the call center of Ajman’s Municipality and Planning Department (MPDA) – 80070, the allotted time for paying public parking fees in Ajman is limited to 10 minutes. If you have already made a payment and wish to extend your parking duration, it is imperative to promptly renew your ticket either through SMS parking or by utilizing the MPDA app.
In 2019, Ajman Police issued a warning to motorists, urging them to avoid parking in areas that are not designated for parking. The police emphasized that if vehicles are caught on surveillance cameras parked on main roads or arterial streets where parking spaces are limited, they will not be fined as long as they vacate the spot within three minutes.
This initiative by Ajman Police was implemented to cater to the urgent needs of residents, such as quickly purchasing items from a pharmacy. Therefore, if you find yourself in a situation where you need to park your car in an undesignated area for an urgent matter in the emirate, it is crucial to ensure that you clear the space within three minutes to avoid causing any disruptions to traffic flow.
Also Read: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, and Ajman: How to pay public parking fines online