How Can We Help?

Find answers to the most common questions about parking and transportation at UTEP. Need more help? Email parking@utep.edu or call (915) 747-5724.

Permits

Do I need a permit?

Yes. All vehicles on campus must have a valid permit or pay for hourly parking. Enforcement is 24/7.

How much does a permit cost?

You can check the current permit prices for students and full-time employees here. Part-time employees, contractors, and affiliates should contact Parking and Transportation for alternative permit options.

How do I purchase a permit?

Permit sale dates are posted online and emailed out. Fall permits usually go on sale in August. Once permits go on sale for the new academic year, they are sold year-round. Available inventory changes constantly based on facility utilization, permit returns, and construction.

• How to purchase a student permit
• How to purchase a full-time employee permit
• How to purchase a retiree or emeritus permit

I have not received my permit yet.

Permits for the Fall 2025/Spring 2026 school year began mailing out on August 15, 2025. Permits take 7-10 business days to arrive.

Is there a temporary permit I can use until my permit arrives?

Yes. Instructions on how to print your temporary permit are available in the Parking Portal.

Can employees buy student permits?

No. Employees must purchase employee permits.

I live on campus - what permit do I need?

A Purple (Housing) permit. It is valid only for your assigned housing lot.

Can I park anywhere with any permit?

No. Each permit is only valid in specific zones. Check your purchase confirmation or permit map.

How do I add or change vehicles on my account?

• How to add a vehicle to your account
• How to add a vehicle with temporary or paper plates
• How to edit a vehicle on your account
• How to remove a vehicle from your account
• How to add vehicles to your permit

If I do not have a license plate yet, can I still buy a permit?

Yes. When registering your vehicle, enter the last 7 digits of your VIN. Once you receive your plates, update your account in the Parking Portal.

Can I have more than one permit?

No. Only one permit per customer is allowed. You may register multiple vehicles under one permit, but only one vehicle may be on campus at a time. Permits use repositionable adhesive so you can move them between vehicles. A secondary motorcycle permit may be purchased if you own both a car and a motorcycle.

Do I need a driver's license or proof of insurance to purchase a permit?

No. You only need the vehicle's make, model, year, color, and license plate (or VIN if plates are pending).

What payment options are available for permits?

• Students: Permit charge is added to your Pete's Payment account.
• Full-time employees: Payroll deduction (pre- or post-tax) or one-time payment.
• Part-time employees: Reduced-rate permits paid in full upfront online.

I forgot my permit at home. What should I do?

Email parking@utep.edu to request a temporary day permit.

Why have permit prices increased?

Permit prices have not increased for FY25-26. Permit revenue funds parking lot maintenance, Miner Metro shuttle services, and campus transportation infrastructure. UTEP Parking and Transportation Services does not receive state or federal funding and relies on permit sales to meet the needs of the campus community.

Cross-Parking

What is cross-parking?

Cross-parking allows valid permit holders to park in certain lots outside of their assigned zone after specific times in the afternoon and evening. It is designed to reduce congestion and provide more flexibility at the end of the day.

Do I need a permit to cross-park?

Yes. You must have a valid UTEP permit. Cross-parking does not mean free parking.

Can I park in a reserved space after hours?

No. Reserved spaces are enforced 24/7 unless otherwise posted.

What happens if I park in the wrong zone too early?

You may receive a citation. Time rules are strictly enforced - 2:55 pm is not 3:00 pm.

What if there is an event?

Event signage always overrides standard cross-parking rules. Always check posted signs before parking.

Can I park in ADA spaces after hours without a placard?

No. ADA spaces are always restricted. You must have a valid ADA placard or plate plus a UTEP permit.

Cross-parking timeline

Returns and Refunds

Can I return my permit?

Yes. Permits can be returned if you no longer need them. Students may be eligible for a prorated refund based on the quarter. Employees on payroll deduction may stop future deductions by returning their permit.

I just purchased my permit - can I request a return right away?

You must have your permit in hand before submitting a return request. Any valid request submitted before August 31 is eligible for a full refund.

How do I request a permit return?

Fill out the Permit Return Request form online through the Parking Portal.

What if I lost my permit?

Report it immediately through the Parking Portal. Replacement fees may apply. If the permit was stolen, provide a police report and the fee will be waived.

When is the last day to return my permit for a refund?

Refund requests must be submitted by May 31, 2026. Refunds are prorated for students. Employee payroll deductions stop at the next payroll cutoff date.

Can I exchange my permit for a different location?

UTEP Parking and Transportation does not offer permit exchanges. To change locations, request a return of your current permit and then purchase a new one from available inventory. Space in specific lots is limited and availability cannot be guaranteed.

Payments

When will I see the charge to my account?

Permit charges may not appear immediately. Student charges appear in Pete's Payment within 24-48 hours. Employee payroll deductions are processed at the next payroll cycle (cutoff is the 15th of each month).

Can I pay with cash or card at Student Business Services?

Yes. Students may pay in person at SBS with cash, or online with Visa or Mastercard.

Citations and Appeals

How do I pay a citation?

• Pay a citation (UTEP affiliate)
• Pay a citation (visitor or guest)

How do I appeal a citation?

Submit a citation appeal through the Parking Portal within 18 calendar days of the issue date.

Can I buy a permit if I owe citations?

No. All outstanding citations must be paid or appealed before purchasing a permit. Appeals must be submitted within 18 calendar days of the issue date. Note: ILLEGAL ENTRY/EXIT OF FACILITY and EXPIRED METER violations are not eligible for appeal.

Why was I charged an extra $15 on my citation?

A one-time late fee of $15 is added after 18 days without payment.

Can I appeal an expired meter or illegal entry/exit citation?

No. These citation types are not appealable and must be paid in full.

If I am a visitor, can I appeal a citation?

No. Visitor citations must be paid in full and cannot be appealed.

When can my car be booted?

Your vehicle may be booted if you have 3 or more unpaid citations or a balance of $150 or more. Vehicles may also be booted or towed for parking in ADA spaces without credentials, parking in fire lanes, or using fraudulent permits.

Lots and Events

What happens if my lot is closed for construction or an event?

Advance notice will be posted via email, signage, and the PTS website. Park in the posted alternate areas or the nearest remote lot. Call PTS at (915) 747-5724 if you need help finding alternate parking.

What if my lot is full and I cannot find a space?

Call PTS at (915) 747-5724 with your UTEP ID and license plate number. Staff will advise you on alternate parking options.

What do I do if my car breaks down in a lot I do not have a permit for?

Contact PTS immediately at (915) 747-5724 with your vehicle details and location. Temporary approval may be granted so you are not cited while the vehicle is disabled. After hours, contact UTEP Police at (915) 747-5611.

Visitor and Guest Parking

Where can I park if I do not have a permit and I am just visiting?

Visitor parking is available at:

• Sun Bowl Garage visitor section
• Mike Loya parking lot
• University Towers visitor lot (cash only)

How much does visitor parking cost?

$5 for the first hour, $2 for each additional hour, with a maximum of $13 per day.

How do I pay for visitor parking?

Visitor parking is paid digitally. Follow the instructions on the posted signs in each visitor lot or garage.

I am a visitor with disabled plates - do I have to pay for parking?

No. Visitors with valid ADA plates or placards may park in visitor disabled spaces for free. If no ADA spaces are available, you may use any visitor space with the placard visible.

Can I request parking for official events or guests?

Yes. Guest Parking is available for community members participating in official UTEP events. Digital permits are provided to the UTEP host or event coordinator to share with guests. Requests must be submitted by a UTEP-affiliated host. Learn more about guest parking here.

Can UTEP students or employees use guest permits?

No. Guest permits are only for official visitors who are not affiliated with UTEP.

ADA and DV Parking

Do I still need a UTEP permit if I have an ADA placard?

Yes. You must have both a valid UTEP permit and your state-issued ADA placard or plates.

Can I park anywhere on campus with ADA credentials?

Your UTEP permit allows you to park in your designated lot, and your ADA credentials allow you to use any ADA space within that lot. Fire lanes, reserved spots, and loading zones are still restricted.

What are the requirements for DV parking?

DV permit holders must display both a state-issued plate with the ISA symbol (or a matching placard) and a complimentary UTEP parking permit. The plate or placard must be registered to the UTEP-affiliated driver or occupant.

What if my DV plate does not have the ISA symbol?

You may still receive a complimentary permit, but only for specific areas such as Perimeter, Remote, or Garage zones. You cannot park in ADA spaces without the ISA symbol or a valid placard.

Enforcement

When are parking rules enforced?

Parking rules are enforced 24/7 year-round, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.

What violations can result in towing or booting?

• 3 or more unpaid citations or a balance of $150 or more
• ADA violations without valid credentials
• Fire lane or yellow zone violations
• Fraudulent or stolen permits
• Abandoned vehicles
• Obstructing traffic or reserved spaces

What happens if my vehicle is booted or towed?

You must pay all outstanding citations and fees before release. Email parking@utep.edu for boot removal instructions. Vehicles booted for more than 36 hours may be towed to storage at the owner's expense.

Shuttles

Are the Miner Metro shuttles free?

Yes. Shuttle service is free to all UTEP students, employees, and visitors. Learn more about Miner Metro shuttles.

Where can I find shuttle routes and real-time tracking?

Visit utep.passiogo.com to track shuttle locations in real time and view all routes. Shuttles are ADA accessible and equipped with a wheelchair lift.