If you regularly drive in Sharjah, knowing how to use Sharjah Parking SMS can make paying for public parking much easier. Instead of looking for coins or using a parking machine, eligible motorists can pay for parking by sending a simple SMS to 5566.
Sharjah Municipality provides SMS parking as a convenient way to obtain a virtual parking permit. The service allows motorists to select different parking durations and receive confirmation directly on their mobile phone.
In this complete guide, you will learn the correct Sharjah Parking SMS format, current charges, how to extend your parking session, who needs registration and what to do if you do not receive the confirmation message.
Table of Contents
- What Is Sharjah Parking SMS?
- How to Use Sharjah Parking SMS
- Sharjah Parking SMS Format
- Sharjah Parking SMS Charges
- How to Extend Your Parking Session
- Who Can Use the SMS Parking Service?
- Do You Need to Register?
- Important Things to Remember
- What If You Receive a Parking Fine?
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Final Words
What Is Sharjah Parking SMS?
Sharjah Parking SMS is a parking payment service provided by Sharjah Municipality. It allows motorists to pay for public parking through their mobile phone instead of using a traditional parking meter.
To use the service, motorists send an SMS in the required format to 5566. After the request is processed, a confirmation message containing the virtual parking permit details is sent to the user’s mobile phone.
The service is particularly useful when you are in a busy area and want to pay for parking quickly without searching for coins or walking to a parking machine.
For more official information, motorists can also check the Sharjah Municipality parking services portal.
Sharjah Municipality Parking Services
How to Use Sharjah Parking SMS
Using Sharjah Parking SMS is straightforward if your vehicle and mobile number meet the service requirements.
Step 1: Check Your Plate Details
Before sending the SMS, check the emirate or plate source and your vehicle’s plate number.
For a Sharjah-registered private vehicle, the plate source is written as:
SHJ
For example, if your Sharjah plate number is 5215, the message can be written according to the required format.
Step 2: Choose Your Parking Duration
Sharjah Municipality currently provides SMS parking options for:
- 1 hour
- 2 hours
- 3 hours
- 5 hours
The duration is included at the end of the SMS.
Step 3: Send the SMS to 5566
The general format is:
Plate Source + Plate Number + Duration
For example:
SHJ 5215 1
Send this message to:
5566
Make sure you use spaces between the plate source, plate number and duration. Incorrect formatting can result in the transaction being rejected, and service charges may still apply in some cases.
Step 4: Wait for Confirmation
After sending the request, you should receive a confirmation SMS containing your virtual parking permit information.
Sharjah Municipality states that the confirmation should normally arrive within 60 seconds.
It is important to keep the confirmation message until your parking session ends.
Step 5: Check Your Parking Expiry
Your confirmation message contains the details of your parking session. Keep track of the expiry time so that you can extend the session if necessary.
Sharjah Parking SMS Format
The correct SMS format is one of the most important things to understand before using the service.
For private UAE plates, the format is:
Plate Source Plate Number Duration
For example:
SHJ 5215 2
This requests a two-hour parking session.
Different emirates use different plate-source abbreviations. According to Sharjah Municipality, examples include:
| Emirate | Plate Source |
|---|---|
| Sharjah | SHJ |
| Dubai | DXB |
| Abu Dhabi | AUH |
| Ajman | AJM |
| Ras Al Khaimah | RAK |
| Fujairah | FUJ |
| Umm Al Quwain | UAQ |
If you want the SMS response in Arabic, Sharjah Municipality’s instructions state that users can add A at the beginning of the message. For example:
A SHJ 5215 5
Sharjah Parking SMS Charges
One of the most common questions motorists ask is how much the SMS parking service costs.
Sharjah Municipality’s current service information lists the following SMS parking charges:
| Parking Duration | Total SMS Charge |
|---|---|
| 1 hour | AED 2.38 |
| 2 hours | AED 5.38 |
| 3 hours | AED 8.38 |
| 5 hours | AED 12.38 |
These amounts include the parking fee plus the 38 fils SMS transaction charge.
For example, if the applicable parking permit value is AED 2 for one hour, the SMS service total is AED 2.38 after the transaction fee.
The amount is deducted from the available balance for eligible prepaid mobile users, while postpaid customers can have the charge reflected on their mobile bill.
How to Extend Your Sharjah Parking SMS Session
If you need more time, you may be able to extend your parking session before it expires.
Sharjah Municipality states that a reminder message is sent 10 minutes before the parking permit expires. If you want to extend the parking session for another hour, send:
Y
to:
5566
The extension request must be sent before the existing parking session expires.
After the extension is processed, you should receive another confirmation message.
Important Tip
Do not wait until after your parking session has expired. If you need additional time, send the extension request while your current permit is still valid.
Who Can Use the SMS Parking Service?
The service is available to eligible UAE motorists using supported UAE mobile numbers.
Sharjah Municipality’s current SMS Parking information states that the service is available to Etisalat and du mobile subscribers, including prepaid and postpaid numbers.
For private vehicle plates registered in the seven emirates of the UAE, registration is generally not mandatory before using the service.
However, users with non-private UAE plates or GCC-country plates need to register before using SMS parking.
Do You Need to Register?
For a UAE-registered private plate, you can generally use the SMS service directly by following the approved format.
Registration is required for certain vehicle categories, including non-private UAE plates and GCC plates.
Sharjah Municipality also provides online registration and customer support for users who need to register their vehicles.
If you are unsure whether your vehicle requires registration, checking the official parking portal before sending the SMS can help prevent transaction problems.
Important Things to Remember When Using Sharjah Parking SMS
Before using Sharjah Parking SMS, keep these points in mind:
1. Use the Correct SMS Format
Always enter the plate source, plate number and duration correctly.
A mistake in the format can cause the request to fail. Sharjah Municipality specifically advises users to follow the required format.
2. Send the Message to 5566
The SMS parking number is:
5566
Do not send the parking request to a different number.
3. Keep Enough Mobile Balance
Prepaid users should make sure they have enough balance to cover both the parking charge and the applicable SMS transaction fee.
4. Keep the Confirmation SMS
Your confirmation message contains your virtual permit details. Keeping it until the parking session ends is a good practice.
5. Check the Parking Signs
Not every parking space necessarily follows the same rules. Always check the signs at the location where you park.
Sharjah Municipality identifies paid parking areas through signage, and some parking areas can have different operating conditions.
What If You Receive a Parking Fine?
If you used SMS parking but still received a parking violation, Sharjah Municipality advises users to contact its customer service or raise a dispute if the parking session was valid.
According to the municipality’s FAQ, parking inspectors can check the electronic parking database. If a valid parking session was recorded at the relevant time, the municipality can cancel an incorrectly issued violation after verification.
For assistance, Sharjah Municipality lists 993 as its Call Centre number on its current SMS Parking FAQ.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sharjah Parking SMS
What is the Sharjah Parking SMS number?
The SMS parking number is 5566. Motorists send the approved parking request format to this number to obtain a virtual parking permit.
What is the format for Sharjah Parking SMS?
For a private Sharjah plate, the format is:
SHJ Plate Number Duration
For example:
SHJ 5215 1
The message is sent to 5566.
How much does Sharjah Parking SMS cost?
Current Sharjah Municipality information lists the total SMS charges as AED 2.38 for one hour, AED 5.38 for two hours, AED 8.38 for three hours and AED 12.38 for five hours.
Can I extend my parking by SMS?
Yes. Sharjah Municipality states that you can send Y to 5566 to request another hour, provided the extension is requested before the existing permit expires.
Do I need to register my car?
Private UAE plates generally do not require registration to use SMS parking. Non-private UAE plates and GCC plates require registration.
Which mobile networks can be used?
Sharjah Municipality’s current SMS Parking terms list Etisalat and du mobile numbers for the service.
How quickly do I receive the confirmation?
The municipality says the confirmation should normally arrive no later than approximately 60 seconds after the SMS request.
Final Words
Using Sharjah Parking SMS is a convenient way to pay for eligible public parking without relying on a parking machine. The process is simple: check your plate details, choose the required duration, send the correctly formatted SMS to 5566, and wait for your confirmation message.
For private UAE plates, registration is generally not required, while non-private and GCC plates have additional registration requirements. The current SMS parking options include 1, 2, 3 and 5 hours, with the applicable SMS transaction fee included in the total charge.
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Always check the latest information from Sharjah Municipality before relying on parking rules, fees or service conditions, as government services can be updated.