Fall 2026 applications are scheduled for August 3–23, with payment August 31–September 4; winter and spring have separate quarterly windows.
Source ↗Car rules and parking at University of California, Los Angeles
First-year students can bring a car only under restrictions.
Start with the eligibility details below, then weigh permit cost, timing, overnight access, and transit. Source ↗
At a glance
Parking snapshot
Student parking is extremely limited and not guaranteed; exemption offers are case-by-case and depend on available allocations.
Source ↗Not confirmed—check the official parking office
Not confirmedNot confirmed—check the official parking office
Not confirmedWho qualifies
Eligibility details
On-campus first-year resident
Dorm residents generally need a quarterly exemption for extenuating circumstances; a qualifying off-campus job is one documented category for listed housing residents.
Source ↗Commuter
Commuting students may apply each quarter, but parking is allocated by priority and is not guaranteed.
Source ↗Upperclass student
Seniors and juniors receive allocation priority ahead of sophomores and freshmen.
Source ↗Accommodation or exception
Students with a DMV disabled placard use the Special Permit Request process; CAE may evaluate disability-related temporary parking accommodations case by case.
Source ↗If you skip the car
Primary car-free alternative
Eligible undergraduates receive unlimited rides on participating Los Angeles County transit through the Bruin U-Pass.
Source ↗Test it against your routineCommon questions
University of California, Los Angeles car and parking FAQ
Can freshmen have cars at University of California, Los Angeles?
First-year students can bring a car only under restrictions. Dorm residents generally need a quarterly exemption for extenuating circumstances; a qualifying off-campus job is one documented category for listed housing residents.
How much is a parking permit at University of California, Los Angeles?
Not confirmed—check the official parking office. No current annual or semester price was verified.
When do University of California, Los Angeles parking permits go on sale?
Fall 2026 applications are scheduled for August 3–23, with payment August 31–September 4; winter and spring have separate quarterly windows.
Is a car worth it at University of California, Los Angeles?
It depends on your routine and permit access. The official sources identify Eligible undergraduates receive unlimited rides on participating Los Angeles County transit through the Bruin U-Pass. as a car-free option. Use the decision tool to weigh your own travel needs.
Trace the answer
Cited official sources
These verified university sources support the current claims above. Follow each link for the full policy.
Student parking permits ↗
Commuters apply quarterly; dorm residents generally need documented exemptions. Parking is limited and not guaranteed, with seniors and juniors prioritized ahead of underclassmen.
UCLA Transportation · Checked 2026-08-01 · verifiedUCLA parking rates and fees ↗
Student rates list $340.23 per quarter for commuters and $386.61 per quarter for residence-hall, Weyburn, or university-apartment permits.
UCLA Transportation · Checked 2026-08-01 · verifiedBruin U-Pass ↗
Registered undergraduates paying the transit fee receive unlimited access to participating LA County bus and rail agencies; the pass is renewed quarterly.
UCLA Transportation · Checked 2026-08-01 · verifiedKeep comparing