Parking Frequently Asked Questions

This list of frequently asked questions is not a substitute for the parking rules and regulations. If your question is not answered here, please read the Rules and Regulations. If you have further questions, please contact us at 231-3200 or parking@vt.edu.

CAP Registration

• How do I register for the Commuter Alternative Program?

STUDENTS (Resident, Graduate, and Commuter)

• Are freshmen allowed to park a car on campus?
• I'm a student. Where can I park on nights and weekends?
• I'm a Resident Student. Where can I park?
• I'm a Commuter or Graduate Student. Where can I park?
• I'm a Resident Student and I'm bringing a car to VT on the weekend. Where should I park on Sunday night?
• I'm a Resident Student and I'm bringing a car down for a few weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas. What type of permit should I purchase?

FACULTY/STAFF

• I'm Faculty/Staff. Where can I park?

VISITORS

• I have a visitor coming to campus. What should they do if they arrive after the Visitor Information Center is closed?
• Do visitors need to display a Visitor Permit on the weekends?

PARKING TICKETS & APPEALS

• Where can I pay a ticket?
• How do I appeal a ticket?
• What if I want to appeal a ticket, but I live too far away to come to the Parking Services office?
• Do I need to pay my ticket before I appeal it?
• I received an appeal letter stating that my ticket was dismissed. Where is my refund?
• Does Parking Services really read the appeals?
• I appealed my ticket a week ago. Why haven't I received a response yet?
• If I am not satisfied with the first appeal decision, what can I do?
• What is the difference between a first appeal and a second appeal?
• Where is the second appeals hearing located?
• Where do I park for a second appeals hearing?
• What should I do once I get to the second appeals hearing location?
• Do I need to dress up for my second appeals hearing?
• Do I need to bring my first appeal letter?
• How long will my second appeal take?
• If I am not satisfied with my second appeal decision, what can I do?
• I need to reschedule my second appeals hearing. Can I do this?
• I missed my second appeals hearing. What can I do?

MISCELLANEOUS

• Where are the Parking Services offices located?
• What do I need to bring with me to buy a parking permit?
• What are the Drillfield parking rules?
• In some F/S lots and Service areas, I see signs that say "24 hours." What does this mean?
• What should I do if I need to load or unload my car?
• I got a new license plate number or a new car. How do I change my vehicle information with Parking Services?
• Are the parking rules and regulations enforced during Thanksgiving Break, Christmas Break, Spring Break, and Summer?
• How do I register a bicycle?
• What are the restrictions for after hours parking?
• Which parking lots are always restricted for faculty/staff?
• When are parking meters enforced?

CAP Registration

How do I register for the Commuter Alternative Program?

You can find the CAP Registration Form online. You can print to fill it out but you must register in person with Parking Services.

STUDENTS (Resident, Graduate, and Commuter)

Are freshmen allowed to park a car on campus?

Yes, but they must purchase a Resident parking permit. Please see the permits page for more information.

I'm a student. Where can I park on nights and weekends?

Students may park in any parking lot after 5pm and on the weekends, except for the Owens Lot and the Dietrick Lot. Also, from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm, Monday through Friday, the Drillfield is reserved for only faculty/staff and graduate students that display a current permit. Some Service spaces are also restricted on the weekends. Before parking in any service area, look for signs that restrict parking 24 hours. Also remember that the meters at the Bookstore are enforced on Saturday and Sunday, from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

I'm a Resident Student. Where can I park?

If you display a Resident parking permit, then you may park in the Duck Pond Road Resident Lot and the resident part of the Stadium Lot. Parking in the Stadium Lot will be restricted during home athletic events. Please refer to the football parking page and the parking map for more information.

I'm a Commuter or Graduate Student. Where can I park?

If you display a Commuter or Graduate permit, then you may park in the Commuter section of Perry Street Lot, Prices Fork Lot, commuter section of Litton Reaves Lot, the commuter side of Duck Pond Road Lot, Track/Field House Lot, Duck Pond Lot, Oak Lane lots and in commuter portions of the Coliseum Lot. Graduate students that display a current permit may also park on the Drillfield after 5 pm. Please refer to the parking map for more information.

I'm a Resident Student and I'm bringing a car to VT on the weekend. Where should I park on Sunday night?

You should park in the Resident section of the Duck Pond Road Lot (the Cage) or the Resident section of the Stadium Lot on Sunday night and come to Parking Services by 12:00 PM on Monday morning to purchase your parking permit.

I'm a Resident Student and I'm bringing a car down for a few weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas. What type of permit should I purchase?

You should purchase Resident daily permits, which cost $2/day and can be purchased in advance.

FACULTY/STAFF

I'm Faculty/Staff. Where can I park?

If you display a Faculty/Staff parking permit, then you may park in faculty/staff, commuter, graduate, and resident parking areas. Parking is not allowed in areas restricted by signs, including but not limited to,  service vehicle areas, the right side of the Squires Lot, carpool spaces, TA spaces and admission guest areas. Please refer to parking rules and regulations for more information Here .

VISITORS

I have a visitor coming to campus. What should they do if they arrive after the Visitor Information Center is closed?

When the Visitor Information Center is closed, visitors should go to the VT Police Department to get a Visitor Parking permit. The Police Department is located off of Southgate Drive.

Do visitors need to display a Visitor Permit on the weekends?

No, however there are some restrictions. Visitors may not park in the the Owens and Dietrick Dining Hall Lots. Visitors are recommended to use the Faculty/Staff section of Perry Street Lot, Litton Reaves Lot, Coliseum Lot, Derring Hall Lot, Washington Street, Litton-Reaves Extension Lot, and Shultz Lot.

PARKING TICKETS & APPEALS

Where can I pay a ticket?

Parking tickets may be paid at the Parking Services office, located at either 455 Tech Center Drive or 130 Student Services Building. Tickets may also be paid by depositing the citation and payment in the lock box outside the Parking Services office. Payments dropped off in the lock box will be taken to Parking Services on the next business day. Payment must be received at Parking Services by the 10th day of citation issuance to avoid a late fee. Payment for a ticket can also be mailed to:

Parking Services
455 Tech Center Drive (0540)
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, VA 24061

How do I appeal a ticket?

Please see the appeals page.

What if I want to appeal a ticket, but I live too far away to come to the Parking Services office?

You can download the appeals form (203 kb PDF) and mail it to:

Virginia Tech Parking Services
455 Tech Center Drive
Blacksburg, VA 24061-0540

Your appeal or letter will be submitted to the appeals process, as long as the ticket is paid and we receive the appeal within 10 days of when the ticket was issued.

Do I need to pay my ticket before I appeal it?

Yes, a ticket must be paid in full before an appeal will be accepted. Paying a ticket is not an admission of guilt. If after review the ticket is overturned, a refund will be mailed to the appellant.

I received an appeal letter stating that my ticket was dismissed. Where is my refund?

You will receive a refund check in the mail within 6 weeks after you receive your first letter stating that your ticket was dismissed.

Does Parking Services really read the appeals?

Yes. Each appeal is read and considered on an individual basis.

I appealed my ticket a week ago. Why haven't I received a response yet?

Because each appeal is read and considered on an individual basis, sometimes the process can take longer than a week. If you are concerned, please call Parking Services at 231-3200 to find out the status of your appeal.

If I am not satisfied with the first appeal decision, what can I do?

You can call 231-7633 before the due date listed on your first appeals results letter and schedule a meeting with the Second Appeals Hearing Committee.

What is the difference between a first appeal and a second appeal?

A first appeal can only be written and is submitted to Parking Services, where the Parking Services Appeals Officer reads the appeal and makes the decision. You can make a second appeal in person or in writing and your case is reviewed by a committee of Faculty, Staff, and students who make the decision by taking a vote after hearing (or reading) your case.

Where is the second appeals hearing located?

Second appeals will be held at the Student Services Building on Washington Street. Individuals having appeals will need to check in at the Parking Services office (130 Student Services Building) prior to be taken to the conference room.

Where do I park for a second appeals hearing?

The Parking Services Rules and Regulations are still enforced, even though you are attending a Parking Services function. Please park in your regularly designated area.

What should I do once I get to the second appeals hearing location?

Let a Parking Services employee know that you are there and then wait until your name is called.

Do I need to dress up for my second appeals hearing?

No, the second appeals process is not that formal and your attire makes no difference in the committee's decision.

What do I need to bring to my second appeals hearing?

You are welcome to bring anything that you feel would be helpful to your case, such as documentation, diagrams, photographs, or receipts.

Do I need to bring my first appeal letter?

No, the committee has a copy of your first letter as well as a copy of your first appeal.

How long will my second appeal take?

It will only take a few minutes to present your case to the Second Appeals Hearing Committee. Since each case is thoroughly listened to and discussed, sometimes the Appeals Committee Meetings do run later than scheduled.

If I am not satisfied with my second appeal decision, what can I do?

All decisions of the Second Appeals Hearing Committee are final.

I need to reschedule my second appeals hearing. Can I do this?

Once you schedule a second appeals hearing, you may not reschedule. However, if you cannot attend during your scheduled time, you may submit a written second appeal.

I missed my second appeals hearing. What can I do?

Please call 231-7633 within 48 hours of your scheduled second appeals hearing time so that you can arrange to submit a written appeal. If we do not hear from you within 48 hours, your appeal is cancelled and the citation is payable.

MISCELLANEOUS

Where are the Parking Services offices located?

The main Parking Services office is located at 455 Tech Center Drive. Tech Center Drive is located off of Southgate Drive (campus map). Parking Services also has an office in the Student Services Building, room 130.

What do I need to bring with me to buy a parking permit?

If you are a student, you need to bring your Hokie Passport and your vehicle registration. If you are faculty/staff, you need to bring your Hokie Passport. You can also download the permit registration form and bring it with you to the Parking Services office.

What are the Drillfield parking rules?

The Drillfield is reserved for only faculty/staff from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday. From 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm, Monday through Friday, the Drillfield is reserved for only faculty/staff and graduate students that display a current permit. All other current permit holders may park on the Drillfield after 8:00 pm.

In some F/S lots and Service areas, I see signs that say "24 hours." What does this mean?

These signs mean that the rules for that parking area are enforced 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.

What should I do if I need to load or unload my car?

You should call Parking Services at 231-3200 and asked to be "greenlogged." When you call, you will be asked where you are going to park and how long you will be there. You can park in any legal space for up to 30 minutes to load or unload. Only current parking permit holders are allowed to be greenlogged. If you need to be greenlogged when Parking Services is closed, please call the VT Police Department at 231-6411.

I got a new license plate number or a new car. How do I change my vehicle information with Parking Services?

Both students and faculty/staff need to bring their vehicle registration to the Parking Services office so that the vehicle can be added to their parking account.

Are the parking rules and regulations enforced during Thanksgiving Break, Christmas Break, Spring Break, and Summer?

Parking regulations are always in effect, including when classes are not in session. The only time that the parking regulations are not enforced is when the University is closed, such as on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

How do I register a bicycle?

Fill out the bike permit form and bring it to the Parking Services office. See the bicycling page for more information.

What are the restrictions for after hours parking?

Permits are required from 7:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday unless otherwise noted by a sign. This is in effect whenever the university is open, including when classes are not in session and during semester breaks. Permits are not required in the evenings after 5 p.m. and on weekends (Friday, 5:00 p.m. to Monday, 7:00 a.m.) except where otherwise signed. Please see the after hours parking map (153 kb PDF) for more details.

Which parking lots are always restricted for faculty/staff?

A few lots are restricted for faculty/staff 24 hours a day, seven days a week. These include the Owens and Dietrick Dining Hall lots.

The Drillfield has the following restrictions.

• Reserved for faculty/staff from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday
• Reserved for faculty/staff and graduate students from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday through Friday
• Open parking to the public begins at 8:00 p.m.

When are parking meters enforced?

Meters are enforced from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. The only exceptions are the meters in the Bookstore Lot, which are enforced every day from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Vehicles parking at meters for an excessive amount of time can be ticketed more than once.

Questions? Comments?

Contact us at parking@vt.edu or 231-3200.