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Transportation and Parking Options for Undergraduate Students

This information applies to commuter undergraduate students who do not live on campus and resident students.

Choose Greener Options

Whether you take transit, share the ride, cycle, skate, scoot or walk to campus, you’ll save money and reduce carbon emissions. You can also earn incentives and have the reassurance of emergency ride home support through the Triton Commuter Club.

Learn More

Triton Commuter Club graphic

Bus, Trolley and Train

UC San Diego has robust public transit service and the riton U-Pass program provides students unlimited rides on all regional MTS and NCTD mass transit bus and trolley/light rail routes during academic quarters. All current undergraduate and graduate students who have paid quarterly registration fees are eligible for U-Pass. UC San Diego Extension students and visiting scholars are not eligible for the program.

Triton U-Pass

transit bus

Carpools and vanpools

Carpools and vanpools offer an opportunity to share commute costs such as gas, parking and, with vanpools, vehicle rental and insurance. You’ll also receive preferred parking on campus that lets you reach your final destination faster. Carpools and vanpools can include faculty, staff and students.

Carpools and Vanpools

Ride and Walk

Those who walk, bike, skate and scoot can qualify for 85-100% savings on a high-quality MIPS helmet through our through our Helmet Access Program or receive merchant discounts through our Rider Rewards program.

bicyclists near Geisel Library

Drive and Park

Commuter undergraduate students can purchase daily S permits through ParkMobile only. D and M permits are also available through ParkMobile. View ParkMobile zone codes for commuter students.

Anyone parking a motorcycle, motorized scooter or motorized bike (motorbike) is eligible to purchase a M (Motorcycle) permit. Valid M permits allow parking in motorcycle spaces only.

If driving alone is your best option, we encourage you to park once and avoid using your personal automobile to travel around campus during the day. Learn more about your options for getting around campus.

Permit Pricing

Learn more about parking permit options and pricing.

Buy a Permit

Valid S permits allow commuter students to park in these spaces:

  • S: 24 hours daily
  • D: 24 hours daily
  • B: 4 p.m. – 7:40 a.m. weekdays; all day on weekends
  • A: 4 p.m. – 7:40 a.m. weekdays; all day on weekends
    • Not valid where posted “A permit required 24 hours a day/7 days a week.”
  • V: 4 p.m. – 7:40 a.m. weekdays and all day on weekends
    • Never valid in:
      • Patient/Visitor spaces
      • Gilman Parking Structure
      • Lot P113

Valid SR permits allow resident students to park in these spaces:

  • SR: 24 hours daily
  • S: 24 hours daily
  • D: 24 hours daily
  • B: 4 p.m. – 7:40 a.m. weekdays; all day on weekends
  • A: 4 p.m. – 7:40 a.m. weekdays; all day on weekends
    • Not valid where posted “A permit required 24 hours a day/7 days a week.”
  • V: 4 p.m. – 7:40 a.m. weekdays and all day on weekends
    • Never valid in:
      • Patient/Visitor spaces
      • Gilman Parking Structure
      • Lot P113

Note: See lots that require an access sticker.

Disability and Medical Accommodations

If you have a disability or medical condition that requires you to have access to a personal vehicle while at UC San Diego, you can apply for a Disabled Person parking placard or license plate from your home state or the California Department of Motor Vehicles. Regardless of your academic standing, if you have a Disabled Person placard or license plate, you are permitted to park in accessible spaces on campus without displaying a UC San Diego parking permit.

If you are not eligible for a Disabled Person placard or license plate and you need access to a personal vehicle at UC San Diego, register with the Office for Students with Disabilities. They can work with you to determine reasonable accommodations to help you access university programs and services, including evaluating your need for a vehicle on campus.

Lowerclassmen Parking

Students with freshman or sophomore academic standing can purchase daily D parking permits only. Resident students must complete an application to be considered to purchase a consecutive day (SR) parking permit. Student commuters must complete an application to be considered to purchase a daily permit.

Apply for an Exception

To apply for an exception to purchase an available parking permit, complete the online exception request form. Please include all relevant supporting documentation to support your application. A few examples appear below. (Please note that this is not a complete list of accepted documentation.)

Examples:

  • Proof of employment for off-campus work commitments
  • Utility bill for commuter status

A committee will evaluate justifications, supporting documents, level of hardship and space availability when reviewing exception requests and will make determinations on a case-by-case basis. All applications must be submitted by the end of week one of each quarter. If we receive your application past week one, it will not be reviewed until the beginning of the following quarter. 

Transportation Services will send an email response to all students who submit an exception request.

  • If your request is approved, you will receive instruction on how to purchase a parking permit. This approval will be valid for the entire current academic year.
  • If your request is denied, you may apply again for the next quarter if your situation changes. There is no appeal process.