Ajman uses a simple SMS-based parking system that is managed by the Ajman Municipality and Planning Department (MPDA). To pay for parking, send a text to 5155 in this format: [Plate Source] [Plate Code] [Plate Number] [Hours]. For example, an Ajman-registered car would send AJM A 12345 1. The standard charge is AED 2 per hour for regular zones and AED 6 per hour for VIP zones. Your mobile provider (Etisalat or du) may add a small SMS fee on top of the parking charge. Wait for the confirmation reply before leaving your vehicle that message is your proof of payment.
Paid parking hours in Ajman run Saturday to Thursday, 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM and 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM. Parking is free on Fridays and public holidays.
How SMS Parking Works in Ajman
Step 1: Check the Parking Zone Sign
Before anything else, read the signboard near your parking spot. It tells you whether the area is a paid zone or a free one, the hours that apply, and whether it is standard or VIP. Some areas in Ajman have slightly different rules from the general schedule, so the sign is always very important, so you don’t make costly mistakes.
Step 2: Compose Your SMS
Open your messaging app and start a new message. You will need three pieces of information, which are: your plate source code (the emirate or country your car is registered in), your plate category letter, and your plate number. Type them in that order with a single space between each, then add the number of hours you want at the end.
Step 3: Send to 5155
Double-check your plate before sending. One wrong character means the payment covers the wrong vehicle.
Step 4: Wait for Confirmation
Do not walk away until the confirmation message arrives. It shows your plate number, how long you are covered, and when the session expires. A “Sent” notification on your phone only means the message left your device — it does not mean the payment went through.
SMS Format for Every UAE Plate
The plate source code changes based on which emirate your car is registered in. Here is the full list
| Emirate | Code | Example SMS to 5155 |
|---|---|---|
| Ajman | AJM | AJM A 12345 1 |
| Dubai | DXB | DXB B 67890 1 |
| Sharjah | SHJ | SHJ A 11111 1 |
| Abu Dhabi | AUH + numeric category | AUH17 22222 1 |
| Ras Al Khaimah | RAK | RAK A 33333 1 |
| Fujairah | FUJ | FUJ B 44444 1 |
| Umm Al Quwain | UAQ | UAQ A 55555 1 |
Rental cars in the UAE are almost always registered in Dubai or Abu Dhabi. Use DXB or AUH with the plate details exactly as shown on the physical plate. If you are unsure of the plate category, look at the bottom of the licence plate — the category letter is usually displayed there.
GCC-registered vehicles (Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar) generally need pre-registration with the MPDA before the SMS system works for them. If you drive a GCC-plated car regularly in Ajman, register through the MPDA app or contact Ajman Municipality. For a one-off visit, the parking kiosk is the simpler option.
Common Parking Mistakes Tourists Make
The most common mistake is using the wrong plate source code for example, sending the message without any source code, or using an incorrect abbreviation.
The second most common mistake is not waiting for the confirmation message.
A third mistake is assuming parking is always free just because it is midday or evening — the free periods have specific cut-off times, and some premium zones charge during hours that are free elsewhere. Always read the signboard first.
Ajman Parking Timings
Standard Paid Hours (Saturday to Thursday)
| Period | Hours |
|---|---|
| Morning paid | 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM |
| Afternoon free | 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM |
| Evening paid | 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM |
| Night free | After 10:00 PM |
Friday Parking
Free parking all day, every Friday. No SMS needed, no app required.
Public Holidays
Free on all official UAE public holidays. Normal rules resume the next day.
Ramadan Parking Timings
MPDA adjusts paid hours during Ramadan. Based on the official Ajman Municipality announcement for Ramadan 2025:
- Paid: 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM
- Paid: 8:00 PM to 12:00 midnight
- Free: 1:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Fridays and public holidays stay free during Ramadan as usual. The schedule is announced each year, so check the MPDA app or website before Ramadan starts rather than assuming it matches the previous year.
Parking Fees in Ajman
Standard Zones
- AED 1 for 30 minutes
- AED 2 for 1 hour
- AED 5 for 2 hours
- AED 8 for 3 hours
VIP Zones
- AED 3 for 30 minutes
- AED 6 for 1 hour
VIP zones are located closer to building entrances, in covered spots, or near high-demand commercial areas. They are clearly marked on the signboard. For anything longer than a quick errand, walking slightly further to a standard zone saves real money.
For daily or monthly parking options, check the MPDA app directly. Rates vary by zone and extended pricing is best confirmed there rather than relying on any fixed published figure.
SMS vs MPDA Smart App
SMS parking handles one to three hours quickly without needing internet.
The MPDA Smart App, developed by Ajman Municipality, does more:
- Pays for durations under one hour or beyond three hours
- Sends a reminder 10 minutes before your session expires
- Manages multiple vehicles in one account
- Shows parking zone maps and classifications
The app is on the Apple App Store and Google Play. For anyone parking regularly in Ajman, the reminder feature alone makes it worth using.
Mistakes That Lead to Fines
Wrong plate source code. If you use AJM for a Dubai plate, no valid confirmation comes through and your car is unpaid.
Not waiting for confirmation. A sent message is not a payment. If the reply does not arrive, the parking is not active.
Low mobile balance. The telecom SMS fee gets added on top of the parking charge. If your prepay balance is tight, the transaction may fail silently.
Paying for the wrong zone. If you are in a VIP zone but pay as standard, the payment does not match. Always check the sign first.
Expiry timing. One hour paid at 12:45 PM expires at 1:45 PM, not at 1:00 PM when free parking begins. Your session runs from the moment of confirmation, not from when free hours start or end.
Parking and Living in Ajman
For residents, especially apartment tenants, parking affects everyday life. Buildings without allocated parking mean daily street parking charges twice a day during weekdays. Over a month, that adds up.
Before signing an rental apartment in Ajman, ask how many parking spaces come with the unit and whether they are in the building or on the street.
Al Nuaimiya is busy and commercially active. Paid zone enforcement is consistent during both morning and evening windows.
Al Rashidiya is more residential with better availability on side streets, though main roads still have paid zones.
Ajman Corniche has high demand during evenings and weekends. Some stretches here run paid hours later than 10:00 PM. Check the signboard.
Al Jurf is mixed commercial and residential. Enforcement is active in commercial stretches during paid hours.
Al Mowaihat is newer with wider streets and generally better building parking. Lower pressure than central Ajman.
How to Avoid Parking Fines in Ajman
- Check your plate number before every send.
- Set a phone alarm when your session starts, so you do not miss the expiry.
- If you use the MPDA app, the built-in reminder does this for you.
- Keep the confirmation SMS until you are back in your car.
Overstaying paid parking can result in a fine of AED 50 to AED 150. There is no officially published grace period, so treat the expiry time as a hard deadline.
Frequently Asked Questions
What number do I use for SMS parking in Ajman?
Is parking free on Fridays in Ajman?
Yes, all day.
How much does parking cost per hour in Ajman?
AED 2 in standard zones. AED 6 in VIP zones.
Can I extend my parking by SMS?
Yes. Reply Y (English) or ن (Arabic) to 5155 before your session expires to add one more hour.
What happens if I enter the wrong plate number?
The payment covers the wrong vehicle. Send a corrected SMS immediately. You will be charged for both.
Is parking free during Ramadan?
Not fully. Paid hours still apply in the morning and evening but the schedule is adjusted. Check the MPDA’s official Ramadan announcement each year.
How do I know if a zone is VIP?
The signboard at the location states VIP Parking with the VIP rate. No VIP label means it is standard.
What if I do not get a confirmation SMS?
Check your balance and signal, wait two to three minutes, then try again. Do not send a second SMS immediately or you risk a double charge.
Can I pay parking for someone else?
Yes. Via SMS, you can send payment for any plate as long as you use the correct plate details in the message format.
What is the MPDA app?
The official parking app from Ajman Municipality and Planning Department. Available on iOS and Android. Recommended for regular drivers in Ajman.
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