Parking in Sharjah is not enough. After you park in a paid public parking lot, it is also important to ensure that the parking fee is paid properly and that the parking permit is used properly.
One of the simplest modes of paying is Sharjah SMS Parking, which lets motorists buy a virtual parking permit right from their mobile phone. No need to go to a parking machine or pay cash. Eligible Etisalat and du subscribers can avail this service, the confirmation will be sent directly to your phone.
This guide talks about how to pay Sharjah parking via SMS, SMS format, parking timings, parking fees, extension of Sharjah parking and what to do when the SMS payment doesn’t work.
What Is Sharjah SMS Parking?
Sharjah Municipality SMS Parking is an expert mobile based parking administration that permits motorists to pay parking charges by sending an SMS from a enrolled UAE mobile number.
It’s accessible for both Etisalat and du postpaid and prepaid. Postpaid customers pay via their mobile bills and prepaid customers have to have enough mobile credit to do so.
Once you send the proper SMS, you’ll get a confirmation message with your virtual parking permit information. Sharjah Municipality will also send you a reminder message 10 minutes prior to the end of the paid parking period, avoiding you from accidentally exceeding your parking time.
Who Can Use Sharjah SMS Parking?
The parking service via SMS is available for customers of the mobile phone operators Etisalat and du.
In the UAE private car registration plates issued in one of the 7 emirates do not require registration. But motorists with non-private UAE and GCC plate numbers should register for the service first to use it.
Prepaid phone users need to ensure they have enough credit for the parking fees as well as SMS service fees.
How to Pay Sharjah Parking by SMS
Sharjah parking SMS is easy to pay. Make sure you have entered your vehicle details correctly and before sending the message, check the parking sign.
Step 1: Check the Parking Sign
Please check the sign for parking before you park; if you are parked in an area that is marked with a parking sign, it is a paid public parking spot.
If you park in a special area or location, have rules that differ from the rest of the area, check the information posted on the sign.
This is significant as not all the parking areas in Sharjah are the same. Smart Parking Lots, for instance, can have its own payment system.
Step 2: Prepare Your Vehicle Details
Standard Sharjah SMS parking requires your car plate source, the plate number and the number of hours you wish to park your vehicle.
The format of the Sharjah Municipality is:
This is to be placed on the plate source + space + plat number + space + hours
For example:
SHJ 5215 2
In this case, the first character SHJ stands for Sharjah, 5215 is the plate number and 2 is for two hours.
According to the municipality, SMS Parking provides parking parking reservations for 1, 2, 3 or 5 hours.
Step 3: Send the SMS to 5566
Once your message is ready, send it to:
5566
Ensure that the SMS complies with the correct format. A wrong message format will lead to rejection of the transaction and any applicable service charges may apply.
Step 4: Wait for the Confirmation SMS
Once your payment has been accepted, you will get an email back with the specifics of your virtual parking permit.
Don’t delete this message when using the parking space. It offers valuable details on your parking transaction and parking permit.
Step 5: Check Your Parking Expiry Time
Please note the confirmation message confirming the duration of your parking permit.
A reminder SMS is sent by Sharjah Municipality 10 minutes prior to the end of the permit. This will provide you with the chance to park longer should you require it.
Sharjah Parking Timing 2026
The timing for paid public parking in Sharjah has been changed since July 1, 2026.
Paid public parking is available throughout Sharjah, including the cities of Sharjah City, Kalba, Khorfakkan and Al Dhaid, and is typically available between the hours of:
| Parking Detail | Current Timing |
| Paid parking starts | 8:00 AM |
| Paid parking ends | 12:00 midnight |
| General Friday rule | Free |
| Official holidays | Generally free |
| Certain designated areas | Paid throughout the week and on holidays |
From July 1, 2026 the municipality has merged paid public parking hours until midnight. The change also impacted sections with yellow signs and made their hours the same as the ones with blue signs, which had already been open until midnight.
Several parking spaces are available throughout the week and on official holidays, however, they are still charged. Please always use the parking signage at your site to determine if there is parking available.
Is Sharjah Parking Free on Friday?
Public parking is free in Sharjah on Fridays and any official holiday, unless otherwise specified.
But there are exceptions. Some Parks are charged during the week and on official holidays. These sites will be marked with special signs that state their parking regulations.
So it would be smarter to investigate the sign instead of making the assumption that all parking spaces will be free on Fridays.
Sharjah Parking Fees When Paying by SMS
Sharjah SMS Parking costs the regular parking fee plus the SMS transaction fee.
The current rate for SMS charges, as stated by Sharjah Municipality is an extra 38 fils per SMS. For instance, the AED 2 one-hour parking ticket will result in an SMS cost of AED 2.38.
| Example | Parking Fee | SMS Charge | Total |
| 1-hour parking | AED 2 | AED 0.38 | AED 2.38 |
As the exact cost of parking will be subject to the parking tariff at that particular location, please refer to the parking sign or official municipality information for the relevant parking rate.
Sharjah SMS Parking Example
If you have a Sharjah registration number (5215), suppose you parked your car by that number.
You would like a 2-hour parking ticket.
Your SMS will be in the official format:
SHJ 5215 2
Click on Send to 5566.
Upon successful processing, you will get a confirmation SMS containing the details of the virtual parking permit. Wait for parking to exit from message.
Extend the permit if more parking time is required, following SMS Parking procedure.
How to Extend Sharjah Parking by SMS
If you must remain for an extended period, you don’t always have to go back to your car.
With the SMS Parking service from Sharjah Municipality, you can extend your parking for one more hour by sending the following:
Y to 5566.
The municipality says that it’s available for an extra hour. After processing the extension you should get another confirmation message.
In order to avoid any issues with parking, it is advisable to park longer than the expiration of the current parking period.
What Is the SMS Parking Charge?
If you use SMS Parking, there will be a 38-fils transaction fee for every SMS sent to 5566. This is in addition to the parking fee.
For instance, if the parking fee is AED 2 per hour:
AED 2 parking fee + AED 0.38 SMS charge = AED 2.38 total
The SMS charge is in addition to the actual parking charge.
Sharjah SMS Parking vs Parking Machine
You can pay for the use of the paid parking lots by either using SMS parking or by parking by paying at a parking machine, depending on your preferences.
| Feature | SMS Parking | Parking Machine |
| Mobile phone required | Yes | No |
| Cash required | No | Depends on machine/payment options |
| Physical ticket | No | Depends on system |
| Confirmation | SMS | Machine/ticket |
| Extend remotely | Yes | Depends on payment system |
| Convenience | High | Standard |
SMS parking is especially beneficial for those who have an eligible UAE mobile number and need to pay up speedily.
Sharjah SMS Parking vs Sharjah Digital App
There are several methods to pay for parking in Sharjah, including SMS and digital payment methods.
SMS Parking can be helpful when you need a quick transaction via mobile without opening an app. The Sharjah Digital app is another digital way of parking services.
Motorists need to be mindful to differentiate between ordinary paid public parking and smart parking lots, however. Smart parking facilities can have their own system for charging and could even rely on the Sharjah Digital app instead of SMS.
Common Sharjah SMS Parking Mistakes to Avoid
Some of the most frequent issues are incorrect vehicle details being entered. Always double-check the plate source and plate number before sending the SMS.
The other major error is the incorrect SMS format. Users must adhere to the format prescribed by Sharjah Municipality and messages may be rejected if they are not in the proper format.
It is also important that you don’t delete the confirmation SMS. Do not leave it until you are having the use of the parking space.
Other mistakes include:
- Forgetting to check the parking sign
- The number of prepaid mobile balance is insufficient.
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- Don’t remember the permit expiration date
- Parking in a smart parking facility and using the wrong payment method
- Waiting until after the permit is expired to extend the permit
What Happens If You Don’t Pay Sharjah Parking Fees?
When parking in a paid space, the fee for the space is due and parking regulations must be adhered to.
The city has inspection teams to ensure that public parking areas are compliant with the regulations. You don’t automatically qualify your vehicle for parking privileges, or other privileges, if you pay by SMS.
The best thing to do is pay right after parking, retain an SMS confirmation and ensure that your car is gone or your permit continues before the paid time lapses.
What to Do If Sharjah SMS Parking Is Not Working?
If your SMS parking transaction fails, you can check if you have any extra mobile balance if you are using a prepaid mobile number.
Next, review the SMS format, and ensure that the vehicle details are accurate. In Sharjah Municipality, it is stated that transactions may be rejected if they are not properly formatted.
You can also determine if your car plate needs to be registered for SMS Parking.
In case the issue persists, SMS Parking enquiries and complaints can be made to Sharjah Municipality at 065145244.
Final Thoughts
Sharjah SMS Parking is a very easy parking option to pay for normal paid public parking without the use of a traditional parking machine. It will be easy, you check your parking area, fill in the required vehicle information, send the SMS to 5566 and wait for the virtual parking permit.
Current (2026) parking schedule provides paid public parking between 08:00 AM and 00:00 AM, Fridays and official holidays are free except for the designated areas that are open daily to official holidays.
Always look at the parking sign before leaving your car and confirm that your payment has been made. The confirmation SMS and tracking the expiring time can prevent unnecessary parking issues or parking fines.
FAQs About Sharjah SMS Parking
What number do I send the Sharjah parking SMS to?
Use the proper format of SMS Parking with the required details for Sharjah SMS Parking request and send it to 5566.
How much does Sharjah SMS parking cost?
The fee is charged along with a 38-fils SMS transaction fee. So for instance, a 1-hour parking pass for AED 2.38 can be booked via SMS.
What time does paid parking start in Sharjah?
The current 2026 public paid parking schedule is for general paid parking.
What time does Sharjah parking end?
From July 1, 2026, the hours for paid public parking will probably remain the same as they are today, which is until midnight, unless there is a change.
Is Sharjah parking free on Friday?
Generally, public parking is free all Friday, though some designated areas charge all week and on official holidays. Please read the signs for parking.
Can I pay Sharjah parking by SMS with a du number?
Yes. According to the Sharjah Municipality, SMS Parking can be used by all subscribers of Etisalat and du, including prepaid, postpaid users.
Can I extend Sharjah parking by SMS?
Yes. The municipality’s SMS Parking instructions say that after buying a parking permit, you can send Y to 5566 to keep the car parked for another hour.
Can I pay smart parking by SMS?
Smart parking facilities may function differently from conventional paid public parking facilities. Please look at signs at the facility and pay according to the municipality’s instructions for that specific site.
What should I do if I don’t receive a confirmation SMS?
Always check mobile balance and SMS format and vehicle information. In the event that the transaction is still unsuccessful, use another official payment method or reach out to Sharjah Municipality for assistance.
