First-Year Parking

First-Year Residential/Non-Commuter Parking

• Non-commuter parking is very limited. First-year students living on campus are encouraged not to bring a car.
• Remote parking will be available to first-year students, but not all first-year students who want to bring a car will receive a permit.
• A randomized selection process for the opportunity to purchase a non-commuter permit was held for first-year students who had confirmed their enrollment and completed a housing application.
• The randomized selection application for first-year non-commuter permits opened on Mon., March 17, and closed on Friday, May 16. 
• First-year students were notified of the results from the randomized selection process on Tuesday, May 27.
• 800 students were selected to purchase a permit, while an additional 200 students were added to a waiting list.
• More information on getting around Knoxville without a personal vehicle can be found online.

First-Year Students Selected for Non-Commuter Parking

• To purchase your permit, you will need to log in during the sales window for first-year students. This window opens on Tuesday, July 29 and closes on Monday, August 4.
• Any first-year non-commuter permit not claimed by 11:59 p.m. ET on Monday, August 4 will be offered to another student on the waiting list.
• First-year students will have access to Non-Commuter Remote and Non-Commuter Park and Ride permits.

First-Year Students On Waiting List for Non-Commuter Parking

• This waiting list is capped at 200 students and does not guarantee you will receive a permit.
• Any first-year non-commuter permits not claimed by 11:59 p.m. ET on Monday, August 4, will be offered to students on the waiting list based on the randomized selection order.

First-Year Commuter Parking

• First-year commuters are the last group allowed to purchase parking permits and will likely only have access to remote or Park and Ride permits.
• Permit sales opened to first-year commuters on Tuesday, July 29. 
• First-year students commuting from the primary residence of a parent or legal guardian may apply for an exemption from the first-year residency requirement within the University Housing Portal.

Accessible Parking

• Accessible parking permits are available to students throughout the year.
• Information about acquiring an accessible parking permit is available online.

Non-Commuter Park and Ride Permits

• Non-Commuter Park and Ride lots are located off campus and serviced by the T bus.
• Lot locations: Safety City (165 S Concord St, Knoxville, TN 37919) and Sevier Heights Church (3140 Maloney Rd, Knoxville, TN 37920)

• Safety City is serviced by the Cherokee Mills route, which runs every 12-15 minutes from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays. Sevier Heights is located on the Off-Campus route, which operates every 30 minutes from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays and every hour from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on weekdays and from 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. on weekends.

• Students needing to access their vehicle outside of those hours should call the T: Link for on-demand service.
• Information on requesting a T: Link is available online. 

Commuter Park and Ride Permits

• Available to commuters at the discounted rate of $99 annually.
• The Park and Ride lot is located in Garage B at the Knoxville Civic Coliseum and is available weekdays between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. (502 Howard Baker Jr. Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37915)
• The Park and Ride lot is serviced by dedicated T bus shuttles, which will run every 10 minutes to bring permit holders to the campus transfer point at Gate 21 of Neyland Stadium. Please note: the last bus leaves campus at 5:30 p.m. 
• Permit holders needing to return to their vehicles after 6 p.m. may request T: Link service through the Tennessee app, via any campus Blue Phone, or by calling Link directly at (865) 974-4080.
• Park and Ride permits are not valid in the Knoxville Civic Coliseum garages after 6 p.m. Park and Ride permit holders needing to access campus in the evening may park in any unreserved staff or commuter space on weekdays after 5 p.m., excluding special events. Additionally, the Civic Coliseum overflow surface lot is located on Honor Our Troops Drive, where Park and Ride permit holders may park until 9 p.m. 

Fall 2025 First-Year Permit Sales Window

• Tuesday, July 29 – Monday, August 4

Permit-to-Space Ratios

• Commuter Core: 1.4
• Commuter Intermediate: 1.7
• Commuter Remote: 1.7
• Commuter Park and Ride: 1.7
• Non-commuter Core: 1.0
• Non-commuter Remote: 1.0
• Non-commuter Park and Ride: 1.0

Permit Prices