Student permits expire on the final day of each quarter; next-quarter purchasing generally opens about two weeks before the current quarter ends.
Source ↗Car rules and parking at University of Washington
Yes. First-year residence-hall students may buy limited quarterly resident parking because UW has no class-year restriction. The 2026–27 student rate is $8.35 per day.
Start with the eligibility details below, then weigh permit cost, timing, overnight access, and transit. Source ↗
At a glance
Parking snapshot
Resident space is limited and fills quickly; the assigned lot depends on space available at purchase.
Source ↗Resident permit holders may use unrestricted lots after 4 p.m. and before 6 a.m.; assigned-lot and posted rules apply at other times.
Source ↗Quarterly permits expire on the final day of the quarter. If a permit expires before the break ends, buy additional break coverage or start the next quarterly permit on the first break day. Summer-quarter permits are limited to students enrolled for summer or actively employed by UW.
Source ↗Who qualifies
Eligibility details
On-campus first-year resident
Resident permits are limited to students living in residence halls and are assigned by available space.
Source ↗Commuter
Students may purchase commuter day or night parking by academic quarter, subject to the listed location and time rules.
Source ↗Upperclass student
There is no separate class-year rule. Upperclass residence-hall students use the same limited resident product, while off-campus students use quarterly commuter day or night parking.
Source ↗Accommodation or exception
Accessible parking requires a valid UW parking permit together with a state or UW disability placard. Matriculated students request longer-term accommodations through Disability Resources for Students; Transportation Services can issue temporary access for up to six weeks.
Source ↗If you skip the car
Primary car-free alternative
The U-PASS provides unlimited regional buses, commuter trains, light rail, water taxis, NightRide, and other covered services.
Source ↗Test it against your routineCommon questions
University of Washington car and parking FAQ
Can freshmen have cars at University of Washington?
First-year students can bring a car. Resident permits are limited to students living in residence halls and are assigned by available space.
How much is a parking permit at University of Washington?
Student resident and daytime commuter parking costs $8.35 per day for 2026–27; night commuter parking costs $3.50 per day. A quarterly total depends on the dates selected.
When do University of Washington parking permits go on sale?
Student permits expire on the final day of each quarter; next-quarter purchasing generally opens about two weeks before the current quarter ends.
Is a car worth it at University of Washington?
Probably not for most Seattle students: U-PASS covers regional buses, rail, light rail, water taxis, and NightRide, while parking costs $8.35 per day and resident space fills quickly. A car is most useful for destinations poorly served by transit.
Trace the answer
Cited official sources
These verified university sources support the current claims above. Follow each link for the full policy.
Student parking ↗
Residence-hall students may buy limited quarterly resident parking. Permits expire each quarter, remain required during breaks, and resident permits have specified after-hours cross-parking.
University of Washington Transportation Services · Checked 2026-08-10 · verifiedParking rates ↗
The student parking rate is $8.35 per day for the July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027 rate year.
University of Washington Transportation Services · Checked 2026-08-10 · verifiedU-PASS ↗
Most Seattle students receive a $73 quarterly U-PASS covering unlimited regional bus, train, light-rail, water-taxi, and NightRide service.
University of Washington Transportation Services · Checked 2026-08-10 · verifiedAccessible parking ↗
UW explains the permit-plus-placard requirement, the Disability Resources for Students path, and temporary parking accommodations of up to six weeks.
University of Washington Transportation Services · Checked 2026-08-10 · verifiedKeep comparing