Complete guide to car parking fees, traffic fines, and vehicle towing rules applicable in Sharjah, UAE
Sharjah Municipality has implemented a revised parking fee structure effective April 1, 2025. The new system introduces additional parking zones and adjusted rates to better manage urban parking demands.
The SMS and mobile app payment systems have been expanded to cover all public parking areas in Sharjah. Residents can now pay for parking through the "Sharjah Parking" app available on iOS and Android.
The Sharjah Executive Council has approved new traffic violation penalties that came into effect on January 15, 2025. Several fines have been increased to improve road safety and compliance.
Sharjah has divided its public parking areas into four zones, each with different rates and regulations. All paid parking in Sharjah operates from 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM, Saturday to Thursday. Friday parking is free except in specific areas marked as 7-day zones.
| Zone | Areas Covered | Hourly Rate (AED) | Daily Maximum (AED) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone A | City centers, main commercial areas, Al Wahda Street, Jamal Abdul Nasser Street | 3 AED | 24 AED | Maximum parking duration: 4 hours |
| Zone B | Secondary commercial areas, Al Majaz, Al Khan, Abu Shagara | 2 AED | 16 AED | Maximum parking duration: 5 hours |
| Zone C | Residential-commercial mixed areas, Al Nahda, Al Taawun | 2 AED | 12 AED | Maximum parking duration: 10 hours |
| Zone D | Primarily residential areas, outskirts of the city | 1 AED | 8 AED | Maximum parking duration: 24 hours |
Residents and businesses can apply for seasonal parking permits through the Sharjah Municipality website or mobile app. Rates for 2025 are:
| Permit Type | 3 Months (AED) | 6 Months (AED) | 12 Months (AED) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residential (First Vehicle) | 750 | 1,400 | 2,500 |
| Residential (Second Vehicle) | 950 | 1,800 | 3,200 |
| Commercial | 1,200 | 2,200 | 4,000 |
Sharjah's SMS parking payment system allows drivers to pay for parking without using paper tickets:
| Violation | Fine (AED) | Black Points | Additional Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parking in prohibited areas | 500 | 0 | Vehicle may be towed |
| Parking in handicapped spaces without authorization | 1,000 | 4 | Vehicle may be towed |
| Expired parking meter/ticket | 150 | 0 | Fine increases to 300 AED after 1 week |
| Double parking | 400 | 0 | Vehicle may be towed |
| Parking on pedestrian crossings | 500 | 0 | Vehicle may be towed |
| Parking in fire hydrant zones | 1,000 | 4 | Vehicle will be towed immediately |
| Violation | Fine (AED) | Black Points |
|---|---|---|
| Exceeding speed limit (up to 20 km/h) | 300 | 0 |
| Exceeding speed limit (20-30 km/h) | 600 | 4 |
| Exceeding speed limit (30-60 km/h) | 900 | 6 |
| Exceeding speed limit (above 60 km/h) | 1,500 | 12 |
| Using handheld phone while driving | 800 | 4 |
| Not wearing seatbelt | 400 | 4 |
| Running a red light | 1,000 | 12 |
| Driving in a way that endangers lives | 2,000 | 23 |
The Sharjah Municipality and Police are authorized to tow vehicles under the following circumstances:
| Service | Sedans/SUVs (AED) | Heavy Vehicles (AED) |
|---|---|---|
| Towing fee (within city limits) | 500 | 1,000 |
| Daily impound fee (first 7 days) | 100 per day | 200 per day |
| Daily impound fee (after 7 days) | 150 per day | 300 per day |
| Administrative processing fee | 150 | 300 |
If your vehicle has been towed in Sharjah, follow these steps to retrieve it:
Effective March 1, 2025, all impounded vehicles unclaimed for more than 90 days may be auctioned by Sharjah Municipality after proper notification to the registered owner. Owners are advised to reclaim vehicles promptly to avoid additional costs or potential loss of the vehicle.
Paid parking in Sharjah operates from 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM, Saturday through Thursday. Parking is free on Fridays except in areas specifically marked as 7-day paid zones. The 7-day zones are typically located in high-demand commercial areas and tourist districts.
To pay for parking in Sharjah via SMS, send a message to 5566 with the following format: "ZONE PLATE-NUMBER" (e.g., "A 12345 DUBAI"). You will receive a confirmation message with your parking expiry time. For extending your parking duration, send "ZONE PLATE-NUMBER HOURS" (e.g., "A 12345 DUBAI 2" to add 2 hours).
The black points system in Sharjah follows the UAE federal traffic law. When you accumulate 24 points within one year, your license will be suspended for 3 months. If this happens a second time, the suspension extends to 6 months. A third occurrence leads to a 12-month suspension and a requirement to attend a driving course before reinstatement. Points remain on your record for 12 months from the date of the violation.
You can check your Sharjah traffic fines through multiple channels:
You'll need your vehicle plate number, emirate code, and sometimes the traffic file number to check your fines.
Yes, Sharjah periodically offers discounts on traffic fines. For 2025, the following discount scheme has been announced:
Additionally, during special occasions and national celebrations, Sharjah Police may announce temporary additional discounts. Keep an eye on official announcements from Sharjah Police for such promotions.
Sharjah has specific regulations for disabled parking:
If your car has been towed in Sharjah, follow these steps:
Note that impound fees accumulate daily, so it's advisable to retrieve your vehicle as soon as possible.
Several new traffic rules have been implemented in Sharjah for 2025:
Zone: Zone A
Parking Type: Paid parking (8 AM - 10 PM)
Capacity: Approximately 500 vehicles
Notes: Gets very crowded during evenings and weekends. Underground parking available. Validation options at restaurants.
Zone: Private parking
Parking Type: First 4 hours free with validation
Capacity: Over 2,000 vehicles
Notes: Validation requires minimum purchase of 100 AED. Special rates apply after midnight.
Zone: Zone B
Parking Type: Paid parking (8 AM - 10 PM)
Capacity: Approximately 300 vehicles
Notes: Additional parking available across the street. Free on Fridays.
Zone: Zone D
Parking Type: Mix of paid and permit parking
Capacity: Various lots available
Notes: Student permits available through respective universities. Visitor parking zones have different rates.