Parking and Commuter Services FAQs

Whether you're a student, faculty member, staff, or visitor, these FAQs provide clear answers to common questions, ensuring you have a hassle-free parking experience on our campus. Explore the sections below to find answers to your questions, and feel free to reach out to us at parking@vanderbilt.edu if you need further assistance.

Annual Parking

How can I purchase an annual parking permit?

Faculty, staff, and postdoctoral scholars who wish to purchase an annual parking permit must first participate in Parking Open Enrollment, held June 1鈥�15 each year. During Open Enrollment, employees select their permit type and, if choosing annual parking, rank their preferred parking zones. Following the enrollment period, parking zone assignments are made based on preferences, availability, and other factors. Employees will then receive instructions for purchasing their permit through the parking portal.
What is Parking Open Enrollment, and who must participate?

Parking Open Enrollment is the annual process through which faculty, staff, and postdoctoral scholars indicate their parking preferences for the upcoming academic year. Employees selecting annual parking will rank their preferred parking zones, which will be used as part of the parking assignment process.
All faculty, staff, and postdoctoral scholars who wish to purchase an annual parking permit for the upcoming academic year must participate in Parking Open Enrollment, regardless of whether they currently have an annual parking permit.
How are parking assignments made?

Parking assignments are based on employee preferences, permit availability and other factors. Assignments are not made on a first-come, first-served basis.
Am I guaranteed my first-choice parking zone?

No. While every effort will be made to accommodate employee preferences, parking assignments are based on availability and demand. Employees are encouraged to thoughtfully rank all available options during Open Enrollment.
What information do I need to purchase a permit?
You will need:
- Vehicle license plate information
- State of registration
- Vehicle make, model, color and year
- Home address
- Email address
- Phone number
How do I verify my permit purchase?

A confirmation email will be sent to your 自慰视频 email address. You can also view your permit and registered vehicles through your Parking Account

When can I begin using my annual permit?

Current annual permits expire on Aug. 31, 2026. New annual permits are valid beginning Sept. 1, 2026.

May 2026	Parking information, zone maps, rates, and resources become available
June 1鈥�15, 2026	Parking Open Enrollment听鈥� Faculty, staff, and postdoctoral scholars select permit type and rank preferred parking zones
July 6, 2026	Annual parking zone assignment notifications sent
July 6鈥�30, 2026	Employee permit purchase window
August 2026	Annual permits become active for the 2026鈥�27 academic year (existing permits remain valid through Aug. 31)

Can I cancel my permit or receive a refund?

Parking permits are nonrefundable. Please review the parking permit policy before purchasing a permit.
Can I change my parking assignment after receiving it?

Employees may request a different parking zone if space is available. If a preferred zone is full, employees may join a waitlist for that zone.
If your assigned zone does not meet your needs, you may opt out of听purchasing听an annual permit and switch to a daily permit. Information about available options, including zone waitlists, will be included with your assignment notification.听
Can I switch from annual parking to daily parking?

Yes. Employees may choose either annual or daily parking based on their commuting needs. Daily parking participants do not participate in the annual parking assignment process.
What if I share vehicles with another person?
What if two people have both purchased virtual permits, but also share the same two vehicles?
- In such cases, the license plate reading system may encounter difficulty recognizing vehicles linked to multiple virtual permit accounts. To prevent confusion, it is advised to list each vehicle exclusively under one virtual permit. If both vehicles possess valid virtual permits, there is no need to list the vehicle on another account. However, if you need to register a second vehicle temporarily with your virtual permit, you can do so by visiting the online parking portal.
What if I have two vehicles listed on my virtual permit and another person brings the second vehicle on campus while I am already on campus with the first vehicle?
- In such a scenario, if two vehicles are on campus under one permit, the LPR technology will identify both vehicles as invalid, subjecting all vehicles under the same virtual permit to citation. However, an exception exists: two vehicles listed under the same virtual permit may be on campus simultaneously if the second vehicle has purchased hourly parking.
What happens if I do not participate in Parking Open Enrollment?

Employees who do not participate in Parking Open Enrollment will not receive a parking assignment through the preference process. They may still be able to purchase an annual parking permit based on remaining availability after assignments have been made.
What if my assigned zone is full when I arrive?

The new parking program is designed so that lots are not oversold, and overall capacity is managed proactively. For example, expanded visitor parking is intended to reduce the need for one-off reserved spaces, which currently significantly impact parking capacity in employee lots. 听
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However, on rare occasions, temporary and unexpected conditions (such as peak arrival times or operational fluctuations) may affect availability within a specific zone.
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If your assigned zone is at capacity, you will be directed to available parking within the system, with no additional cost. Step-by-step guidance for these situations will be provided when zone assignments are communicated.
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As implementation progresses, our team will continuously monitor lot utilization and feedback and make operational adjustments in response to real-time conditions. Maintaining reliability and flexibility within the system remains a key focus as the program evolves. 听
Is there any flexibility with zones?

Annual permit holders may park in any annual permit zone after 2:30 p.m. on weekdays and throughout the weekend, providing added flexibility for meetings, events, and cross-campus travel, while intended to address reported unpredictable mornings. 听
Are accessibility accommodations considered in the Open Enrollment process?

Yes. Accessibility accommodations are coordinated through Equal Opportunity and Access (EOA), as they are today. Individuals requesting accessibility accommodations should submit their information through the standard process.
Are EV charging stations changing as part of the new parking program?

At this time, no changes to the existing EV charging infrastructure are planned. EV-related feedback is being collected and will be considered as part of ongoing long-term planning efforts. Annual permit holders may use chargers in any annual parking zone, with the expectation that the vehicle will be relocated after charging is complete or after 4 hours. Relocation to assigned zone required, unless after 2:30 p.m. or on the weekend. 鈥�
Is free parking available?

Yes. Free parking is available at the Chestnut Street Lot. VandyRide and WeGo transit connections provide access between the lot and campus destinations.
What happens if I miss the permit purchase window?

If you do not complete your permit听purchase听within the July 6-30 designated听timeframe, your assignment may be released and made available for reallocation. You will have the option to听purchase听a听permit,听it just will be based on system availability at that time.听听
What happens if I made a mistake during Open Enrollment?

If you believe you听submitted听incorrect information during Open Enrollment, contact Parking and Commuter Services as soon as possible.听Ability听to adjust selections depends on timing and system status.听
Can I park in a different zone or multiple locations during the day?

Yes. If your assigned zone is full or temporarily unavailable, you may be directed to another available annual permit zone. In addition, annual permit holders may use any annual permit zone after 2:30 p.m. on weekdays and throughout the weekend, providing added flexibility for meetings, events and cross-campus travel.
Do I have to purchase a permit after receiving a zone assignment?

No. Receiving a zone assignment does not require you to听purchase听a permit.听
If you choose not to听proceed, you may opt out and use daily parking instead. Please note that daily parking availability is limited and may vary by location.听
Open Enrollment is the designated period to submit preferences for annual parking.听

Daily Parking

What is daily parking?

Daily parking allows eligible participants to pay only on days they park on campus. Participants may use designated daily parking facilities and are eligible for commute incentives and related programs.
Who is eligible for daily parking?
Eligible participants include:
- Faculty
- Staff
- Postdoctoral scholars
- Graduate and professional students
Undergraduate students and adjunct faculty (unless on salaried payroll) are not eligible.
Employees whose payroll or benefits are administered through 自慰视频 University Medical Center should contact regarding parking options.
How do I apply for a daily parking permit?

Applications are accepted year-round.
Applications submitted by noon on Wednesday will typically receive access to daily parking facilities by the end of the week.
Applications are completed through the 自慰视频 Commute Hub.
What are the daily parking rates for 2026鈥�27?
2026鈥�27 Daily Parking Permit Rates听
- Band 1: $3.50/ day
- Band 2: $5.25/ day
- Band 3: $7.25/ day
- Band 4: $10.25/ day
How do parking charges work?

Charges are applied the first time you enter a daily parking facility each day.
Faculty and staff charges are processed through payroll.
Graduate students, professional students and eligible postdoctoral scholars not paid through payroll must maintain sufficient funds in their Commodore Cash account.
Can I park in more than one daily parking garage in a day?

Yes. After your first entry of the day, you may enter and exit any daily parking facility throughout the remainder of the day without additional charges.
Can I park overnight and on the weekends?

Yes, although overnight parking is discouraged.
Charges apply for each weekday your vehicle remains parked in the facility.
All vehicles parked on campus must have a valid permit or parking authorization.

Managing Vehicles

How do I update my vehicle information?

Vehicle information can be updated through your Parking Account or the 自慰视频 Commute Hub, depending on your permit type.
Annual:
Daily: 自慰视频 Commute Hub
What if I get a new vehicle or license plate?

Update your information as soon as possible to avoid citations.
What if I have a temporary tag?

Enter the temporary tag information when registering your vehicle. Once permanent plates are issued, update your account immediately.
What if I enter my license plate incorrectly?

Incorrect vehicle information may result in a citation. Contact Parking Services promptly to correct the information.
How should I enter a personalized plate?

Omit special characters and symbols. If your plate includes the letter "O," contact Parking Services for assistance.
How many vehicles can I register?

Up to eight vehicles may be associated with a permit.
Can two vehicles on the same permit be on campus at the same time?

No.
Only one vehicle may use a permit at a time.
The exception is when the second vehicle is parked using hourly paid parking.

Virtual Permits and License Plate Recognition

What is a virtual permit?

A virtual permit uses your vehicle's license plate information instead of a physical permit to verify parking authorization.
How does License Plate Recognition (LPR) work?

LPR technology uses cameras to scan license plates and verify permit eligibility. LPR improves permit verification and parking operations while eliminating the need for physical permits.
Can I park anywhere with a virtual permit?

No. Parking permissions remain tied to the permit type you purchase.
Do I need to park nose-in?

Yes.
Your license plate must be visible from the driving lane so LPR equipment can verify your permit.
Vehicles parked by backing in or pulling through may be cited.

Citations and Enforcement

When can citations be issued?

Parking regulations are enforced 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
How long do I have to pay a citation?

Citations must be paid or appealed within 15 calendar days.
How do I appeal a citation?

within 15 days of citation issuance.
All appeal decisions are final.
What happens if I do not pay?

Unpaid citations may be transferred to student accounts, referred to collections or result in towing.
When can my vehicle be towed?
Vehicles may be towed for:
- Three or more unpaid citations
- Parking in fire lanes
- Parking in service areas
- Parking in reserved spaces without authorization
- Parking in accessible spaces without authorization
- Creating a safety hazard
What happens if my vehicle is towed?

An additional towing fee will be charged before the vehicle can be released.

Commuter Services

What is VandyRide?

VandyRide is 自慰视频's campus shuttle service.
VandyRide Day
Beginning in fall 2026, VandyRide operates daytime shuttle service Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The daytime shuttle connects major parking facilities, offices, academic buildings and campus destinations.
Route maps and stop locations are available on the VandyRide page.
VandyRide Night
VandyRide also provides evening service Monday through Friday from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Pickup and drop-off occur at designated shuttle stops.
What is the 自慰视频 Commute Hub?

The 自慰视频 Commute Hub is the university's transportation platform for managing daily parking, commute programs, vehicle information and commute incentives.
What are commute incentives?

Daily parking participants may earn a $1 incentive for eligible commute trips, up to $20 per month. Commuters enrolled in Daily Parking have the opportunity to earn $1 per weekday for each logged active or carpool commute. It's important to note that vehicle ownership is not a requirement for enrolling in Daily Parking or earning commute incentives.
Commute incentives cannot be earned on holidays and weekends, but you are encouraged to log those trips to gain an accurate depiction of your commuting habits.
What transportation options qualify?
Eligible options include:
- Walking
- Biking
- Carpooling
- Vanpooling
- WeGo transit
- Commuter rail
Please note: If more than one person over the age of 16 is riding the motorcycle to campus, then the trip counts as a carpool trip. Riding a motorcycle by oneself is not an eligible commute option.
Can faculty and staff use VandyRide?

Yes. VandyRide is available to 自慰视频 students, faculty, staff and postdoctoral scholars. You must have valid 自慰视频 ID.
What is QuickTicket and the WeGo Ride Program?

Eligible 自慰视频 students, faculty and staff receive access to free rides on WeGo Public Transit through the WeGo Ride Program.
New employees automatically receive a registration code by email during onboarding.
Where can I learn more about WeGo transit options?

Visit the for routes, eligibility and registration instructions.

Accessibility

What accessibility services are available?
自慰视频 offers听additional听transportation and accessibility resources to support movement across campus, including:听
- Campus accessibility services听
- VandyRide ADA support听
- 听escorts听
- WeGo听Access paratransit services for eligible riders听
Event organizers hosting visitors with mobility needs should plan transportation accommodations in advance, as Mobility Rides are not available for campus visitors.
What are Mobility Rides?
Mobility Rides provides accessible transportation across campus for students,听faculty听and staff with approved medical or accessibility needs.听
Service is available through electric carts and ADA-accessible vehicles to support travel between campus destinations.
- Information for students available through Student Access听
- Information for faculty, staff and postdoctoral scholars available through Equal Opportunity and Access.
How do I park with a disability placard?

Vehicles displaying a valid disability placard must also possess the appropriate 自慰视频 parking permit.
Placards must be displayed in accordance with state law.

Visitor Parking

Where can visitors park?

Visitors may use designated visitor parking locations across campus, including hourly parking facilities and ParkMobile locations.
Visit the Visitor Parking page for current locations, rates and availability.
Can visitors purchase annual or daily parking permits?

Visitor parking options are designed for short-term campus visits. Faculty, staff, students and postdoctoral scholars should use the permit program that corresponds with their 自慰视频 affiliation.

自慰视频

Frequently Asked Questions