Asan Tata— November 9, 2026Musaffah paid parking is coming to two more parts of Abu Dhabi. From Monday, 16 November 2026, drivers who park in sectors M10 and M17 will need to pay for their bays. The change is the fourth phase of a rollout that began in January 2026, and it adds 4,233 standard parking spaces to the paid system.
Q Mobility announced the move on 9 November 2026. The company runs Abu Dhabi’s public parking system, Mawaqif, and the Darb road toll network. It works under the supervision of the Integrated Transport Centre, known as Abu Dhabi Mobility, which is part of the Department of Municipalities and Transport.
Quick Answer
Paid parking starts in Musaffah sectors M10 and M17 on Monday, 16 November 2026. The fourth phase covers 4,233 standard parking spaces: 1,645 in M10 and 2,588 in M17. The fee is AED 2 per hour for standard bays, paid through the Darb app or the TAMM app. Paid hours run from 8:00 am to midnight, Monday to Saturday. Parking is free on Sundays and on public holidays. People of Determination bays are included too.
What Is Changing on 16 November 2026
From 16 November 2026, the kerbside bays in Musaffah sectors M10 and M17 become paid parking. Until now, drivers could park in these two sectors without paying. That changes on the Monday morning of 16 November.
Q Mobility confirmed the details in its announcement on 9 November 2026, reported the same day by Gulf News, Aletihad and Emirates 247. All three reports agree on the same figures.
The fourth phase adds 4,233 standard parking spaces to the Mawaqif system. Sector M10 gets 1,645 of those spaces, and sector M17 gets 2,588. The two sectors sit in Musaffah, one of Abu Dhabi’s main industrial and commercial areas, which draws large numbers of workers, visitors and businesses every day. Designated parking spaces for People of Determination are part of the new phase.
The Musaffah Rollout So Far
Paid parking in Musaffah began in January 2026 and has grown in phases since then. The 16 November step is the fourth phase.
The first phase started on 12 January 2026. It covered sectors M1, M2, M3, M4 and M24, next to Al Rawdah Road, with 4,680 parking spaces switched on, including bays for People of Determination. The fee was AED 2 per hour for standard bays, the same rate as the new phase. Q Mobility said at the time that further sectors would follow, based on traffic needs and demand in the area. The company has not published a date for a fifth phase.
| Phase | Start date | Sectors covered | Standard spaces |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 | 12 January 2026 | M1, M2, M3, M4, M24 | 4,680 |
| Phase 4 | 16 November 2026 | M10, M17 | 4,233 |
Musaffah Paid Parking: How Much It Costs
The fee for the new Musaffah sectors is simple. Standard bays cost AED 2 per hour, the same rate that has applied in the earlier Musaffah phases since January 2026 and the same standard Mawaqif rate across Abu Dhabi.
Mawaqif has two bay types, told apart by the kerb paint. Standard bays have black and turquoise kerbs. Premium bays have white and turquoise kerbs.
| Bay type | Kerb colour | Hourly fee | Daily cap | Maximum stay |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | Black and turquoise | AED 2 per hour | AED 15 for 24 hours | 24 hours |
| Premium | White and turquoise | AED 3 per hour | No daily cap | 4 hours |
The new phase in M10 and M17 covers standard spaces only, according to the Q Mobility announcement. The AED 2 hourly fee is the confirmed figure for those bays, and the AED 15 daily cap is the published Mawaqif rate for standard parking across Abu Dhabi. Premium bays cost AED 3 per hour and have a four-hour maximum stay. If you need to park for a full working day, a standard bay is the cheaper choice.
A full day in a standard bay costs AED 15 at the daily cap. Check the sign next to the bay before you pay: it shows the bay type, the zone and the rules for that street.
When You Pay and When Parking Is Free
Paid hours in Abu Dhabi run from 8:00 am to midnight, Monday to Saturday. Outside those hours, the meter is not running, and parking is free every night from midnight to 8:00 am. Sundays are free all day across the public paid network, and public holidays are free too. Both rules apply to standard and premium bays, in Musaffah as well as on Abu Dhabi island and in Al Ain.
| Day | Paid hours | Free hours |
|---|---|---|
| Monday to Saturday | 8:00 am to midnight | Midnight to 8:00 am |
| Sunday | None | All day |
| Public holidays | None | All day |
There are two exceptions to the free times. Resident bays, marked with a blue line or “Resident Permit Only” signs, are reserved for permit holders from 9:00 pm to 8:00 am. Multi-storey car parks charge around the clock, every day, including Sundays and holidays, at AED 2 per hour or AED 15 per day.
How to Pay: Darb App, TAMM and SMS
Q Mobility has confirmed two payment methods for the new Musaffah sectors: the Darb app and the TAMM app. Both are official government apps, and both let you pay without walking to a machine.
Paying through the Darb app
The Darb app is the main app for Abu Dhabi road tolls and parking. Open the app, choose the parking service, and enter your plate number and the zone code shown on the sign next to your bay. Then choose how long you want to park and pay from your Darb wallet or a linked card.
Paying through the TAMM app
TAMM is Abu Dhabi’s government services app, and it offers the same parking payment service. Open TAMM, find the parking service, and enter your plate number and zone. Pay with a card or through your TAMM wallet.
Paying by SMS
Mawaqif also accepts payment by SMS. Send a text to 3009 with your plate details and the parking duration. SMS payment is useful when your phone has no data or the apps are slow. Keep the confirmation message as proof of payment if a fine is issued by mistake.
People of Determination Bays
The new phase includes designated bays for People of Determination, marked with the international access symbol and reserved for vehicles that display a valid permit. Drivers without a permit must not park in these bays, even for a few minutes. Misusing one is among the most heavily fined parking offences in Abu Dhabi, with reported fines reaching AED 1,000. The rule applies every day, including Sundays and public holidays. If you hold a permit, check that it is valid and clearly displayed.
What Happens If You Do Not Pay
Parking in a paid bay without a valid session can lead to a fine, issued against the vehicle’s plate number. That matters if you drive a company car or a rental car, because the fine goes to the registered owner, who may pass it on to you with an admin fee.
Reported Mawaqif fines range from AED 100 to AED 1,000, depending on the offence. The figures most often reported are around AED 200 for parking without a valid session and around AED 100 for overstaying a paid session. Blocking another vehicle can cost AED 500 under the federal traffic law, and parking on a pavement is reported at up to AED 1,000. The exact amount for your case is shown on the Darb app or the TAMM app when you check the plate.
Q Mobility’s own guidance, as reported in Mawaqif guides, notes a 25 per cent reduction for fines settled within 60 days. Check the fine as soon as you learn about it. You usually get a short grace period to pay after you park, reported as 10 minutes, but do not rely on it as extra parking time. Start your paid session as soon as you leave the car. If you think a fine was issued by mistake, you can object within 60 days of the violation date. Keep your payment confirmation or SMS receipt as evidence.
Why Musaffah Is Getting Paid Parking
Musaffah is one of Abu Dhabi’s busiest industrial and commercial districts, home to workshops, warehouses, showrooms, offices and labour accommodation. Thousands of workers and visitors move through the area every day, and that demand puts heavy pressure on kerbside parking. Q Mobility says the paid system is meant to make better use of the parking that exists, cut random parking, ease congestion and improve access to shops and service centres. When bays turn over more often, drivers spend less time circling for a space.
What to Do Before 16 November
If you park in M10 or M17, take a few simple steps before the new rules start. First, download the Darb app or the TAMM app if you do not have one yet. Set up your account, add your vehicle and top up your Darb wallet so a payment never fails for lack of funds. Second, learn the zone code for the street where you usually park. The code is on the sign next to the bay, so take a photo of the sign. You will need the code every time you pay.
Third, check whether your usual bay is a standard bay or a premium bay. Standard bays cost AED 2 per hour, while premium bays cost AED 3 per hour and cap your stay at four hours. Fourth, set a reminder for when your paid session ends. Both apps let you extend a session, but you must do it before the old one runs out. Finally, employers in Musaffah should tell staff about the change. Many workers park in M10 and M17 daily, and a short notice can prevent a wave of fines in the first week.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does paid parking start in Musaffah M10 and M17?
Paid parking starts on Monday, 16 November 2026, when drivers in sectors M10 and M17 must start paying AED 2 per hour for standard bays.
How many parking spaces are covered by the new phase?
The new phase covers 4,233 standard parking spaces: 1,645 in M10 and 2,588 in M17. Designated bays for People of Determination are included as well.
How much does parking cost in M10 and M17?
Standard bays cost AED 2 per hour, with a daily cap of AED 15 for 24 hours. Premium bays, where they exist, cost AED 3 per hour with a four-hour maximum stay.
How do I pay for parking in Musaffah?
Pay through the Darb app or the TAMM app, using your plate number and the zone code from the sign next to your bay. You can also pay by SMS to 3009.
Is parking free on Sundays in Musaffah?
Yes. Parking is free on Sundays and on public holidays across the Mawaqif network. Paid hours run from 8:00 am to midnight, Monday to Saturday.
What is the fine for parking without paying?
Reported fines range from AED 100 to AED 1,000, depending on the offence. Parking without a valid session is reported at around AED 200, and misusing a People of Determination bay at up to AED 1,000. Check the exact amount on the Darb or TAMM app.
Disclaimer
This article is for general information only. Parking rules, fees and zone codes can change. The figures here come from the Q Mobility announcement of 9 November 2026 and from published Mawaqif guides. Always read the sign next to the bay you park in, and check the Darb app or the TAMM app for the latest fees and for any fines on your plate. This is not an official notice from Q Mobility, Abu Dhabi Mobility or the Department of Municipalities and Transport.
Sources: Gulf News, 9 November 2026; Aletihad, 9 November 2026; Emirates 247, 9 November 2026; WAM, 5 January 2026; published Mawaqif guides for standard rates, paid hours and reported fines.
Last Updated: 9 November 2026
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