Motorists across Abu Dhabi will benefit from waived parking charges and Darb toll fees on Friday, 5 September, in recognition of the Prophet Muhammad’s birthday. Under the Integrated Transport Centre’s directive, Mawaqif surface parking will be free throughout the public holiday, with standard charges resuming on Saturday, 6 September. Similarly, Darb toll gates will be inactive on Friday and reinstated over peak hours on Saturday.
Daily life stands to be noticeably smoother this day, especially for families, commuters and visitors seeking ease of movement. Normally, parking fees in the capital vary between Dh2–Dh3 per hour depending on location, with a full-day rate of Dh15 for standard zones and a four-hour cap for premium zones. Darb tolls typically impose Dh4 per crossing during peak morning and evening periods. The waivers present genuine financial relief for those planning errands, leisure or religious visits.
The holiday holds significance across the United Arab Emirates, as the entire public and private sectors will observe Friday as a day of rest and reflection. In keeping with this observance, the capital’s transport authorities have suspended fees to facilitate mobility and engagement in community and spiritual activities with minimal disruption.
Recent transport policy updates add further context to this one-day reprieve. As of 1 September, the Darb toll system has seen expanded operating hours—added two hours daily—and the removal of daily and monthly fee caps, part of a strategy to curb congestion and promote public transport use across Abu Dhabi. The fee suspension on Friday acts as a temporary pause amid this evolving toll framework.
Motorists are reminded, however, that while financial barriers will be lifted, parking regulations remain firmly enforced. Illegal parking, blocked access and other violations continue to be subject to fines even during holidays. With Saturday set as the return to paid services for both Mawaqif and Darb, vigilance is essential to avoid unexpected penalties.
This transport reprieve echoes broader trends in the region, where relaxation of parking and toll policies during major holidays is customary, aiming to support community observance and convenience—an approach mirrored in previous Eid, National Day and New Year holidays.
Daily life stands to be noticeably smoother this day, especially for families, commuters and visitors seeking ease of movement. Normally, parking fees in the capital vary between Dh2–Dh3 per hour depending on location, with a full-day rate of Dh15 for standard zones and a four-hour cap for premium zones. Darb tolls typically impose Dh4 per crossing during peak morning and evening periods. The waivers present genuine financial relief for those planning errands, leisure or religious visits.
The holiday holds significance across the United Arab Emirates, as the entire public and private sectors will observe Friday as a day of rest and reflection. In keeping with this observance, the capital’s transport authorities have suspended fees to facilitate mobility and engagement in community and spiritual activities with minimal disruption.
Recent transport policy updates add further context to this one-day reprieve. As of 1 September, the Darb toll system has seen expanded operating hours—added two hours daily—and the removal of daily and monthly fee caps, part of a strategy to curb congestion and promote public transport use across Abu Dhabi. The fee suspension on Friday acts as a temporary pause amid this evolving toll framework.
Motorists are reminded, however, that while financial barriers will be lifted, parking regulations remain firmly enforced. Illegal parking, blocked access and other violations continue to be subject to fines even during holidays. With Saturday set as the return to paid services for both Mawaqif and Darb, vigilance is essential to avoid unexpected penalties.
This transport reprieve echoes broader trends in the region, where relaxation of parking and toll policies during major holidays is customary, aiming to support community observance and convenience—an approach mirrored in previous Eid, National Day and New Year holidays.
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UAE