New Hires

Congratulations on your new employment, and welcome to the University of Tennessee, Knoxville! The Parking & Transportation team is here to help you make a smooth transition to your role and find solutions that work best for your commute. When it comes to parking and getting around UT, you have a variety of options.

Purchasing a permit

New employees will need to visit the Parking & Transportation Office on their first day at UT, or as soon as possible during their first week, to purchase a permit if they plan to park on campus.

Location: 2400 Sutherland Avenue, Knoxville, Tennessee
Office Hours: Monday to Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Employees are assigned to designated parking areas based on departmental recommendations and parking availability, with rates based on your annual salary tier for unreserved staff parking. Your department has a designated parking representative who will recommend parking assignments and facilitate new employee parking. Visit our faculty and staff parking page for a breakdown of monthly and annual prices by salary tier.

Park & Ride

For employees seeking a low-cost alternative, the Park & Ride program offers significant savings and reliable transportation at $99 annually. Located at the Knoxville Civic Coliseum Garage B, the Park & Ride program is available weekdays from 7 a.m. – 6 p.m., offering dedicated shuttle service every 10-12 minutes. The shuttle stops at Gate 21 of Neyland Stadium, for easy transfers to other T routes. During major holidays and breaks, Park & Ride staff permit holders may park on campus in any unreserved staff area. Many employees find Park & Ride to be a convenient, stress-free commuting option, especially during busy times of the academic year.

Getting around by bus

You can travel across campus easily using the T Bus. It’s free to ride, making it an affordable and efficient option for students, employees, and visitors. With real-time GPS tracking, you can always keep an eye on where your ride is and when it will arrive.

All staff, faculty, and students are eligible to ride Knoxville Area Transit’s (KAT) bus system for no charge when you show your VolCard.

Frequently asked questions

Will I be able to park by my building?

Faculty and staff are assigned to specific parking areas based on availability and departmental recommendations. During summer renewals, the most popular areas typically fill, so mid-year hires are often assigned to areas farther from their work location.

What’s the most budget-friendly option for parking my car?

For employees seeking the most affordable parking option, the Park and Ride program offers significant savings and reliable transportation at $99 annually.

What if I’m parking on campus occasionally for meetings or events?

UT offers more than 900 hourly parking spaces through ParkMobile. Hourly rates generally range from $1 to 2 per hour, depending on the location.

Get real-time updates on your phone

VolPark App: Live updates on parking availability throughout campus
Tennessee or TransLoc Apps: T-Bus schedules and live bus tracking
ParkMobile App: Hourly paid public parking for short-term needs
KAT Transit App: Locations, arrival times, and routes for Knoxville Area Transit buses

Additional parking & transit resources

Staff Permit Purchase Instructions

Before continuing to purchase a permit, you will need the following information:

NetID and password
Credit card or access to MyUTK
License plate number
License plate registration expiration date
Make, model, year, and color of the vehicle(s) you will be driving to campus

Faculty/Staff Parking Permit Sales open for renewals in mid-July. New staff permit sales are limited in each zone.

Please make sure your vehicle information is up-to-date. You may have multiple vehicles on your account.

Receipt and Temporary Permit – At the end of the transaction print the 14-day temporary permit to park in your designated area.

Hang tags are mailed the next business day from the out-of-state vendor. Permits are not available to pick up in the office.