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
Restricted. First-year dorm residents generally need an exemption, while commuters apply quarterly for extremely limited parking that is not guaranteed.
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 ↗An awarded long-term student permit authorizes parking in the assigned facility throughout the permit period, including overnight unless that facility or posted sign says otherwise. A daily visitor-style permit expires at 7:59 a.m. the next day and is not a long-term storage substitute.
Source 1 ↗Source 2 ↗The published 2026–27 permit periods run continuously across the major academic breaks: fall ends December 31, winter begins January 1, winter ends March 21, and spring begins March 22. A student awarded and paying for consecutive quarters may keep parking in the assigned facility; parking authority ends when the paid permit period ends.
Source 1 ↗Source 2 ↗Who 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?
Dorm-resident freshmen generally need a quarterly exemption for documented extenuating circumstances. Commuting freshmen may apply each quarter, but they rank behind seniors, juniors, and sophomores and parking is not guaranteed.
How much is a parking permit at University of California, Los Angeles?
For 2026–27, standard commuter parking costs $340.23 per quarter and residence-hall parking costs $386.61 per quarter. The longer spring resident period is $464.85.
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?
For most UCLA undergraduates, no. Parking is extremely limited, dorm residents need an exemption, and eligible undergraduates receive unlimited participating transit through Bruin U-Pass. A car is worth pursuing mainly for a documented job, medical, family, or other recurring trip that transit cannot reasonably serve.
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 2026-08-10 · verifiedUCLA parking rates and fees ↗
The 2026–27 table lists student prices and permit periods that run continuously from fall through winter and spring break boundaries.
UCLA Transportation · Checked 2026-08-10 · 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 2026-08-10 · verifiedVisitor parking ↗
Campus parking operates around the clock, but a one-day permit expires at 7:59 a.m. and is not a long-term vehicle-storage product.
UCLA Transportation · Checked 2026-08-10 · verifiedKeep comparing