Sharjah has made paying for street parking almost effortless, and the city continues to fine-tune the system every year to keep up with traffic demand. If you drive in Sharjah, knowing the correct Sharjah parking SMS format, the right Sharjah parking code, and the latest Sharjah parking timing rules can save you from an avoidable fine. This guide walks you through everything you need, from sending your first SHJ parking SMS to understanding the brand-new midnight parking rule that just came into effect.
What Is Sharjah SMS Parking?
Sharjah SMS parking lets drivers pay for street parking by sending a simple text message instead of hunting for a meter or a parking attendant. There's no app download required, no card swipe, and no paper ticket to keep—just your phone and a quick text message.
The system works across Etisalat, du, and Virgin Mobile networks, and it covers paid parking zones in Sharjah city as well as Khor Fakkan, Kalba, and Al Dhaid. Whether you're driving a Sharjah-registered vehicle or visiting from another emirate, the Sharjah parking SMS number remains the same: 5566.
How to Put Parking in Sharjah
If you're wondering how to park in Sharjah, the process takes less than a minute:
- Open your messaging app and start a new text to 5566.
- Type your message using the Sharjah parking format: city code, plate number, and number of hours.
- Send the SMS and wait for a confirmation reply.
- Keep the confirmation message until your parking session ends, in case a parking inspector asks for proof.
Tip: Always send the SMS immediately after parking and wait for the confirmation message before leaving your vehicle.
Sharjah Parking SMS Format Decoded
Since March 2025, Sharjah has unified its parking code across the entire emirate. The old Khor Fakkan-specific code ("KH") was retired, and every paid zone, including Khor Fakkan, now uses the single Sharjah parking SMS format below:
- SHJ: The plate source code for Sharjah-registered vehicles
- Your plate number: Replace this with your actual vehicle plate number.
- 1, 2, 3, or 5: The number of hours you want to park for
Examples of the SHJ parking SMS format:
- To park for 1 hour, send SHJ (plate number) 1
- To park for 2 hours, send SHJ (plate number) 2
- To park for 3 hours, send SHJ (plate number) 3
- To park for 5 hours, send SHJ (plate number) 5. This is the maximum duration allowed in a single SMS; there's currently no full-day SMS option.
For example, if your plate number is 12345 and you want to park for 2 hours, you would send: SHJ 12345 2
Sharjah Paid Parking SMS Format for Dubai Plate (and Other Emirates)
If your car carries a plate from outside Sharjah, you'll need a different prefix instead of "SHJ." This is one of the most common questions drivers ask, especially the Sharjah parking SMS format for Dubai plates, so here's how it works for each emirate:
- Sharjah parking SMS format for Dubai plate: send DXB (your plate number) followed by the number of hours
- Abu Dhabi plate: send AUH (your plate number) followed by the number of hours.
- Ajman plate: send AJM (your plate number) followed by the number of hours.
- Umm Al Quwain plate: send UAQ (your plate number) followed by the number of hours.
- Ras Al Khaimah plate: send RAK (your plate number) followed by the number of hours.
- Fujairah plate: send FUJ (your plate number) followed by the number of hours.
For example, a Dubai-plated car with the number 7890 parking for 3 hours would send the following: DXB 7890 3.
Vehicles with non-private UAE plates or GCC country plates must register first through the Sharjah Municipality portal before using the SMS parking service.
Once registered, you can text your assigned username followed by the number of hours; for example, if your username is "salem" and you want 5 hours, you'd send "salem 5." To receive the confirmation in Arabic, simply add an "A" before the message, like: A salem 5
Sharjah Blue Board Parking vs Yellow Board Parking: What's Changed
The most significant recent update relates to parking timings.
For a while, Sharjah ran two separate timing systems depending on signage color:
- Sharjah blue board parking zones operate until midnight.
- Sharjah yellow board parking zones closed earlier, at 10:00 PM.
That difference has now been removed. According to a report by Gulf News, Sharjah City Municipality has officially extended paid parking hours across the entire emirate, including yellow-signboard zones in Sharjah City, Kalba, Khorfakkan, and Al Dhaid, to run until midnight starting July 1, 2026. This brings yellow-signboard zones fully in line with blue-board zones, affecting more than 124,000 public parking spaces across the emirate.
So, as of July 1, 2026, there is effectively just one Sharjah parking blue zone-style timing rule that also applies to the former Sharjah parking yellow zone:
Updated Sharjah Parking Timing — Blue Board Zones
Sharjah blue board parking is a paid zone seven days a week, with no exceptions:
- Every day, including Friday and public holidays: 8:00 AM – 12:00 AM (midnight)
- Payment is required at all times during these hours, regardless of the day or occasion
- Ramadan: Paid parking runs from 8:00 AM to 12:00 Midnight throughout the Holy Month
Updated Sharjah Parking Timing — Yellow Board Zones
From July 1, 2026, sharjah yellow board parking zones now also run until midnight — matching blue board hours. However, the free-day rule still applies:
- Saturday to Thursday: 8:00 AM – 12:00 AM (midnight) — paid
- Friday and public holidays: Free parking — no SMS required
- Ramadan: Paid parking typically runs from 8:00 AM to 12:00 Midnight during the Holy Month
In short: both Sharjah parking blue zone and Sharjah parking yellow zone now close at midnight, but if you're parked under a yellow board, you still get free parking on Fridays and public holidays. Blue board drivers do not.
The municipality said the change was introduced in response to Sharjah's growing population, increased tourism, and higher parking demand in commercial areas, and that the extended hours will not increase subscription fees; subscribers simply get two extra hours of coverage per day, with the exemption window rising from 14 to 16 hours daily.
Sharjah Car Parking SMS Paid Zones Covered
The Sharjah car parking SMS system applies across the busiest commercial and residential pockets of the emirate, including:
- Al Sour, Al Ilya, Al Nabba, Al Mahata, Al Shahaba
- Al Musala, Al Gudaibah, Al Munakh, Al Yarmouk
- Al Khan, Umm Al Tarafa, Al Jubail, Al Majara
- Al Mareeja, Al Shwahain, Al Nasirya, Maysaloon
- Al Abar, Al Khuzaima, Halwan, Samanan, Semnan, Al Khozamah, Batanh
- Industrial Areas 4, 5, and 6
Following the July 2026 update, former yellow-signboard zones in Kalba, Khor Fakkan, and Al Dhaid now follow the same extended parking hours as the rest of the emirate.
Sharjah Parking Charges and Fees
The Sharjah parking charges remain tiered by duration, and these rates have not changed with the new timing update:
- AED 2 for 1 hour
- AED 5 for 2 hours
- AED 8 for 3 hours
- AED 12 for 5 hours
Sharjah Parking Subscription Fees (Monthly & Long-Term)
If you park in the same zone daily, a Sharjah parking subscription is far more economical than paying per session. Here are the current Sharjah parking fees per month and other durations:
| Personal Vehicle Subscription: Two Areas | |
|---|---|
| Duration | Fees (AED) |
| 1 Month | 166 |
| 3 Months | 500 |
| 6 Months | 900 |
| 12 Months | 1,700 |
| Personal Vehicle Subscription: All Locations | |
|---|---|
| Duration | Fees (AED) |
| 10 Days | 179 |
| 20 Days | 290 |
| 30 Days | 390 |
| 3 Months | 850 |
| 6 Months | 1,400 |
| 12 Months | 2,300 |
| Commercial Vehicle Subscription: Two Areas | |
|---|---|
| Duration | Fees (AED) |
| 3 Months | 600 |
| 6 Months | 1,100 |
| 12 Months | 2,100 |
| Commercial Vehicle Subscription: All Locations | |
|---|---|
| Duration | Fees (AED) |
| 10 Days | 170 |
| 20 Days | 290 |
| 30 Days | 390 |
| 3 Months | 1,050 |
| 6 Months | 1,750 |
| 12 Months | 2,850 |
| Exceptional Subscription (20% Discount, All Locations) | |
|---|---|
| Duration | Fees (AED) |
| 3 Months | 600 |
| 6 Months | 1,050 |
| 12 Months | 1,850 |
As confirmed by Sharjah City Municipality through Gulf News, none of these Sharjah monthly parking and long-term subscription rates are changing because of the new midnight parking hours; only the daily coverage window is getting longer.
Sharjah Parking Fines
Sticking to the correct Sharjah parking message number and format helps you avoid these penalties:
| Violation | Fine (AED) |
|---|---|
| Failure to purchase and display a valid ticket | 150 |
| Exceeding the time limit or overstaying on a parking ticket | 100 |
| Obstructing vehicular movement and endangering others | 200 |
| Misuse of a ticketing machine, instructions panel, or parking facility | 500 |
| Parking in handicapped parking spaces | 1,000 |
| Reservation of a parking space without a license | 1,000 |
| Washing cars in public parking without a license | 500 |
| Parking in a reserved parking space | 1,000 |
| Covering parking boards or devices without a license | 500 |
| Registered vehicle stopped on the side of the road or pavement | 500 |
Final Words
Sharjah's SMS parking system remains one of the simplest in the UAE, and the move to extend Sharjah blue parking timing rules across former yellow-zone areas makes the whole emirate easier to navigate with one consistent rule rather than two. Whether you're sending a Sharjah parking SMS for a quick errand or signing up for a Sharjah parking subscription to cover daily commutes, staying updated on these changes effective July 1, 2026, will help you park smart and avoid fines.
If you're shopping for a vehicle that suits everyday city driving and easy parking around Sharjah's busiest zones, browse our range of used cars in Sharjah at First Choice Cars.
FAQs
What is the Sharjah parking SMS number?
It's 5566, the same Sharjah parking SMS number used across all networks and zones.
Is there a full-day SMS parking option in Sharjah?
No. A single SHJ parking SMS can only book up to 5 hours at a time.
Do yellow board zones now close at midnight like blue zones?
Yes. From July 1, 2026, yellow signboard zones follow the same midnight closing time as blue zones, per the Sharjah City Municipality announcement reported by Gulf News.
Will my subscription cost more because of the longer hours?
No. Municipality officials confirmed subscription pricing stays the same; subscribers just get two extra hours of free coverage each day.
What happens if I forget to send the parking SMS?
You may be fined AED 150 for failing to display a valid ticket, so it's best to send your SMS as soon as you park, before stepping away from your vehicle.
Can I pay for Sharjah parking using a method other than SMS?
Yes. Besides SMS, the municipality also accepts payment through the Sharjah Digital app, which is useful if you have a weak network signal or prefer app-based payments.
Is parking free on Fridays and public holidays in Sharjah?
It depends on the zone. Sharjah yellow board parking zones are free on Fridays and public holidays. Sharjah blue board parking zones are paid every single day of the week, including Fridays and public holidays, right up until midnight.
Disclaimer: All information, including pricing, vehicle details, and legal requirements, is accurate at the time of publication but may be subject to change due to market conditions or policy updates. While First Choice Cars makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information provided, we hold no responsibility for any errors, omissions, or outdated content. We recommend contacting our team directly to confirm the latest details before making any decisions.
