5566 Parking SMS Format, Fees and Timings in Sharjah
The short answer: 5566 parking is Sharjah’s SMS service for paying public parking fees using a UAE mobile number. Send your vehicle’s emirate code, plate number and parking duration to 5566, then wait for a confirmation message. As of October 2026, SMS parking starts at AED 2.38 for one hour, including the transaction fee.
How does 5566 parking work?
Sharjah’s 5566 parking system allows drivers to purchase a digital parking permit without using a payment machine. The service works with Etisalat and du mobile numbers, including prepaid and postpaid accounts.
The parking charge is deducted from prepaid credit or added to a postpaid mobile bill. The vehicle’s registration details are linked to the digital permit, allowing parking inspectors to identify an active payment.
Follow these steps to purchase a parking session:
- Park in an authorised public parking space in Sharjah.
- Identify the emirate where your vehicle is registered.
- Open your phone’s SMS application.
- Enter the emirate abbreviation, vehicle plate number and duration, separated by spaces.
- Send the message to 5566.
- Wait for the confirmation SMS containing your permit details.
- Keep the confirmation message until your parking session finishes.
For example, a Sharjah-registered vehicle with plate number 12345 requesting two hours would send SHJ 12345 2 to 5566.
A sent message alone does not establish a valid parking session. The confirmation SMS is the evidence that the virtual permit has been issued.
What is the correct 5566 SMS format?
The standard message follows three elements: plate source, plate number and parking duration. The service supports parking durations of one, two, three and five hours.
| Vehicle registration | Emirate code | Example for one hour |
|---|---|---|
| Sharjah | SHJ | SHJ 12345 1 |
| Dubai | DXB | DXB 12345 1 |
| Abu Dhabi | AUH | AUH 12345 1 |
| Ajman | AJM | AJM 12345 1 |
| Ras Al Khaimah | RAK | RAK 12345 1 |
| Fujairah | FUJ | FUJ 12345 1 |
| Umm Al Quwain | UAQ | UAQ 12345 1 |
These are illustrative plate numbers, not actual vehicle registrations. The final number in each example represents the requested parking duration in hours.
Khorfakkan parking: Add KH between the plate number and duration. For example, SHJ 12345 KH 2 requests two hours in Khorfakkan.
Drivers wanting an Arabic confirmation can begin their message with A followed by a space.
Private vehicles registered in the seven UAE emirates can use the service without advance registration. Non-private vehicles and GCC-registered vehicles require registration before using SMS parking.
How much does 5566 parking cost?
As of October 2026, Sharjah’s published SMS parking tariff includes a transaction charge of 38 fils per message. This is additional to the parking permit itself.
| Duration | Parking fee | SMS total |
|---|---|---|
| 1 hour | AED 2.00 | AED 2.38 |
| 2 hours | AED 5.00 | AED 5.38 |
| 3 hours | AED 8.00 | AED 8.38 |
| 5 hours | AED 12.00 | AED 12.38 |
The totals cover the selected parking permit and one SMS transaction fee. They do not include subsequent extensions, additional SMS transactions, parking fines or separate private parking charges.
For a practical budget example, a driver parking for three hours using one SMS spends AED 8.38. Purchasing three separate one-hour sessions would cost AED 7.14 using the published one-hour tariff, but requires more transactions and closer attention to expiry times.
This creates an interesting trade-off. A longer permit offers convenience, while shorter sessions can reduce spending for drivers willing to manage renewals.
Payment machines are another useful alternative because they avoid the SMS transaction surcharge. Frequent users can also consider Sharjah parking subscriptions instead of purchasing individual tickets repeatedly.
When is 5566 parking charged?
Sharjah introduced a significant parking change on 1 July 2026. Paid parking hours were extended until midnight across Sharjah city, Kalba, Khorfakkan and Al Dhaid.
As of October 2026, the charging schedule is:
| Parking category | Paid hours | Friday and holidays |
|---|---|---|
| Standard yellow-sign zones | 8 AM to midnight | Free |
| Blue-sign zones | 8 AM to midnight | Paid |
Standard public parking remains free on Fridays and official public holidays. Blue-sign zones operate seven days a week, including holidays.
The July 2026 adjustment removed the previous 10 PM finish in standard zones. A driver parking at 11 PM on a normal weekday now needs a valid permit, even though that hour was previously outside the standard charging period.
Parking between midnight and 8 AM is free within these standard public parking schedules.
The distinction between yellow and blue signs matters more than the neighbourhood name. Two nearby streets can have different Friday payment requirements.
Drivers visiting Dubai should also understand that 5566 is not Dubai’s SMS parking number. Dubai uses 7275 and operates a separate payment system. For a related example of how parking charges differ between locations, see our Dubai Mall parking article.
How do you extend a parking session?
Sharjah’s SMS system sends a reminder approximately 10 minutes before a parking permit expires. Drivers can extend an active session by sending Y to 5566 before its expiry.
Extensions add one hour of parking. The additional permit charge and SMS transaction fee are separate from the original purchase.
Several mistakes deserve particular attention:
- Incorrect plate details: A permit linked to the wrong vehicle does not protect the intended vehicle.
- Insufficient mobile balance: Prepaid customers need enough credit for the transaction to succeed.
- Missing confirmation: An unconfirmed request is not proof of payment.
- Late extension: Sending Y after the existing permit expires does not provide uninterrupted coverage.
- Wrong location format: Khorfakkan requires the additional KH identifier.
- Assuming Friday is free: Blue-sign zones still require payment during chargeable hours.
For SMS service assistance, drivers can send HELP to 5566 or contact Sharjah Municipality on 993. The municipality also handles disputes involving parking penalties issued despite a valid digital permit.
Is 5566 parking worth using?
For occasional parking in Sharjah, 5566 is a convenient payment option. It avoids searching for a parking machine, handles charges through a mobile account and provides a digital confirmation that can be retained.
Its main disadvantage is the 38-fils transaction charge. Repeated short parking sessions accumulate additional fees, and every renewal requires attention to the expiry reminder.
For drivers parking once or twice during a shopping trip, SMS payment is a sensible choice. A payment machine is more economical when avoiding transaction charges matters. Regular commuters and residents should compare parking subscriptions, particularly when they use the same paid areas throughout the week.
The most important practical improvement in 2026 is understanding the midnight charging rule. Choosing the correct payment method saves a small amount, but understanding when a permit is required prevents much more expensive mistakes.
Overall, 5566 parking is best for straightforward, occasional public parking in Sharjah. Its convenience is worthwhile when you use the correct plate format, receive confirmation and manage the session before it expires.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use 5566 parking with a Dubai number plate?
Yes. Dubai-registered private vehicles can use Sharjah’s SMS parking service by entering DXB followed by the plate number and duration. The message must be sent to 5566 while paying for Sharjah parking.
Is 5566 parking free on Fridays?
Standard Sharjah public parking is free on Fridays, but blue-sign parking zones remain chargeable. As of October 2026, blue-sign zones charge from 8 AM until midnight every day.
Can I pay for five hours using 5566?
Yes. The SMS service lists five hours among its available parking durations, with a published total of AED 12.38 including the transaction charge. Enter 5 as the duration in the payment message.
What happens if my 5566 parking SMS fails?
A failed transaction does not create a valid parking permit. Correct the message format or mobile balance problem and obtain a confirmation before relying on the digital permit.
