Paid Parking with Salik Now Live in Dubai: Here’s How It Works

If you live in Dubai or drive through it often, your parking routine just got a major update. Paid Parking with Salik is now fully active across thousands of parking spaces in the city. This new feature allows you to pay for both on-street and off-street parking using your Salik account. 

You no longer need to use SMS, apps, meters, or paper tickets. This system is the result of a partnership between Salik Company PJSC, Parkonic, and Dubai Holding. The goal is to make parking easier, faster, and completely contactless for all residents and visitors.

Where You Can Use It

The new Salik-powered system currently covers around 36,000 parking spaces. These spaces are located across some of Dubai’s most visited communities. Areas include:

• City Walk
• Dubai Design District
• Dubai Wharf
• Jumeirah Beach Residence
• Business Bay
• Madinat Jumeirah Living

Each of these locations has a mix of on-street and off-street parking. The new system applies to both. That means whether you park on the road or in a lot, Salik handles the payment automatically.

How It Works

As you drive into a parking zone, cameras read your number plate. Your Salik account is linked to your vehicle registration. When you leave, the system calculates how long you stayed and charges the correct fee to your account.

There is no need to display a ticket or enter any details. You do not need to take any action if your Salik account is active and funded. This setup uses AI-powered smart technology and automatic number plate recognition. It is part of Dubai’s broader push for a smarter, faster, and more connected city.

What Drivers Should Know

Here are a few things every driver should keep in mind:

• You must have an active Salik account.
• Your vehicle must be registered correctly with Salik.
• You will receive notifications of charges automatically.
• You don’t need to download anything or interact with meters.
• No fines will be issued if you leave on time.

This system removes the need to guess parking durations or rush back before time runs out. It also helps reduce paper use, traffic build-up, and confusion in crowded areas.

Why It Matters

Dubai is the first city in the region to introduce this level of automation for parking. Salik and Parkonic have made it possible to drive in, park, and drive out without touching your phone or speaking to a machine.

This move supports Dubai’s Smart City 2030 plan and reflects the city’s focus on sustainable, tech-driven solutions. It also frees up time for drivers who usually spend extra minutes looking for meters or sending SMS codes.

Conclusion

With the launch of Paid Parking with Salik, Dubai has taken another big step toward contactless mobility. The system already operates in key neighborhoods and will expand to more areas soon. If you live near or visit areas like JBR, City Walk, or d3, chances are you’re already using it without even noticing. 

This is what smart parking is supposed to look like. Have you tried it out? Let us know your thoughts in the comments. And stay tuned to the Arabwheels Blog for more real-world road updates across the UAE.