Parking fines issued immediately despite payment delays in Dubai

A resident in Dubai recently expressed frustration over receiving a parking fine just minutes after he parked his car. Nauman Rashid, a retired British expatriate, made a payment via SMS shortly after parking but was still fined. He received a fine even though his payment confirmation came just two minutes later. Rashid parked in Al Quoz and took three to four minutes to process his payment. He believes a parking enforcement vehicle recorded the violation while he was paying. When he appealed the fine, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) rejected it, saying his payment was late. This experience raised questions about whether drivers should pay for parking before they actually park. In response, Parkin, Dubai’s main provider of paid parking, explained their enforcement system. They emphasized that their team uses smart vehicles to check for valid parking sessions in real time. If a vehicle is found without payment, a fine is issued, as per their regulations. Parkin noted that they send reminders 15 minutes before a parking session expires, allowing drivers to extend their time. They encouraged drivers to start their parking sessions promptly and retain payment confirmations. Parkin also offers subscription options to help frequent users manage their parking more easily. If a driver receives a fine despite making a timely payment, Parkin urges them to dispute the fine through their website or app. Each appeal is reviewed carefully, and the company aims to improve their system based on user feedback. Although Parkin currently issues fines immediately, they acknowledged concerns about brief payment delays and are considering options like a "pending fine" system. They are focused on enhancing the parking experience and invite drivers to share their experiences to help improve the system.