Navigating Parking at the University of Tennessee: A Comprehensive Guide

The University of Tennessee (UT) understands the challenges of campus life and aims to facilitate smooth navigation for students, faculty, staff, and visitors. Parking and Transportation Services are dedicated to managing parking facilities and promoting alternative transportation options. While parking on campus can be limited, UT offers several solutions, including the "T" bus system and hourly parking options. The University is constantly working to create a better parking experience.

The "T" Bus System: A Convenient Alternative

UT promotes the "T" bus system as a cost-effective and time-saving alternative to driving and parking on campus. With routes covering the entire campus, the "T" bus system reduces the need to search for parking spaces. The T transit system is a free service designed to help students move around campus safely and efficiently, with a fleet of 34 buses, 11 fixed routes, and on-demand accessible transportation.

Understanding Parking Regulations and Registration

The Traffic and Parking Authority of The University of Tennessee establishes parking regulations. These regulations are enforceable seven days a week, twenty-four hours a day. Students are required to obey these regulations as a condition of attendance at the University, and faculty and staff members are required to obey them as a condition of employment. The purpose of these regulations is to facilitate the safe and orderly conduct of university business and provide parking facilities in support of this function within the limits of available space. Parking and Transit Services and the UT Police Department are responsible for implementation and enforcement of these regulations. Violations of these regulations will be cited through appropriate channels for disciplinary action.

All motor vehicles operated by staff and students in connection with their employment or attendance at The University of Tennessee must be registered with the Parking and Transit Services Department. Registration improves the security of campus, identifies the operator as affiliated with the University and provides for more expedient notification in the event of any emergency. There is no charge for registration. Transferable registration hanging tags will be issued to staff and students registering their vehicles. To be valid, these tags must be clearly visible and hanging from the rear view mirror of the registrant’s vehicle. Registration tags are not parking permits and do not confer any parking privileges at any time on campus. Specific EXPIRATION DATES are indicated on each registration tag. Ownership of vehicle registration is not transferable.

Vehicle registration must be renewed at the beginning of each Fall Semester and is valid until the beginning of the following Fall Semester so long as the registrant remains a student or a University employee. Staff vehicle registrations must be accomplished within 72 hours of joining the University Staff and within 72 hours of acquiring a vehicle. A temporary permit is required during this initial 72hour period. Staff vehicle registration must be renewed each year at the beginning of the parking year (August 1 through July 31). Student vehicle registration must be accomplished by the first day of class or within 72 hours of acquiring a vehicle. The person to whom a vehicle is registered is responsible for that vehicle and all violation citations issued thereto. If the person operating the vehicle is other than the registrant when a violation is committed, both he/she and the registrant may be cited.

Hourly Visitor Parking Options

For short-term parking needs, UT offers hourly visitor parking in various locations across campus. These spaces are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Hourly Visitor Parking Locations:

Parking Area	Number of Spaces	Additional Information
Circle Park	40	Hourly
G7 West Campus Garage	196	The top level of the garage
G10 Neyland Garage	238	Portions of the top level off Fulmer and the bottom level off Neyland
G12 White Ave Garage	222	Top level of the garage
G15 Vol Hall Garage	176	The entire first and second floors will be available for hourly parking
Pat Head Summitt (near HPER)	11	On-street parking
Phillip Fulmer Way	82	On-street parking (from Lake Loudoun to Peyton Manning)
TRECS	43	$2 for the first hour and $0.50 for each 15 minutes afterwards; 3 hour max
Margaret Alley	75	Surface lot located behind College of Nursing
Todd Helton Dr (behind Lindsey Nelson Stadium)	65	On-street parking
Volunteer Blvd	176	On-street parking from Todd Helton Dr to Cumberland Ave

Payment Methods for Hourly Parking:

The ParkMobile system facilitates contactless payment options:

Download the ParkMobile app on the App Store or Google Play.
Scan the QR code on the signs where you park.
Text PARK to 77223.
Individuals without smartphones can call 877-727-5015

Important Notes for Hourly Parking:

Effective Aug. 2025, visitor spaces at Volunteer Blvd East and West, G7 West Campus garage (rooftop only), and G10 Neyland Garage (rooftop only) have been adjusted to $1/hour with a 24-hour max on weekdays. Those areas remain $2/hour on the weekends (special events may impact availability and pricing).
All other visitor parking is $2/hour (special events may impact availability and pricing).
All hourly parking spaces on campus require payment. Student and staff permits are not valid in these spaces. You must pay to park in these spaces even if you have a permit.
Payment is required 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with the exception of specific holidays and campus events. If payment is not required, the app or scan-to-pay option will not accept it. If there is an event, the app or scan-to-pay option will indicate that parking is not allowed, and your vehicle may be ticketed or towed.
ParkMobile allows users to extend parking sessions remotely, subject to time limits.
Hourly parking at Vol Hall accepts card or cash payments in person. All other locations utilize ParkMobile.
Parking at RecSports has a three-hour time limit.

Campus Tours and Conference/Event Parking

Visitors attending campus tours should park at Volunteer Hall Garage (1545 White Ave), which is located next to the Volunteer Residence Hall, a short walk from the Student Union and Visitor Center.

Arrangements for conference parking can be made in advance through Parking and Transportation Services by calling 865-974-6031. The conference parking rate is $10.00 per vehicle and must be requested at least seven days in advance by the organizing department/program/or college.

Student Parking Permits: A Tiered System

Parking permits are available for students attending the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. The permits are tiered to give graduate students and seniors top priority. UT is encouraging first-year students not to bring a car to campus.

Read also: History of the Block 'M'

Permits can be purchased online at parking.utk.edu on the following dates:

Graduate students and seniors: On sale now
Juniors: July 29
Sophomores: July 30
Freshmen: July 31

Commuters have three types of permits available, organized by zones:

Core zone: $390
Intermediate zone: $250
Remote zone: $198

Noncommuter students are only allowed to access two zones: a core zone pass for $450 and an intermediate zone pass for $310. These passes are only available to students who have signed a UT housing contract.

Additional Parking Permit Information for Students

Student Parking Overview: Commuter and non-commuter (residential) permits are sold for specific “zoned” lots under a tiered pricing structure. Parking permits are sold by academic classification with graduate students and seniors having the first opportunities, followed by juniors, sophomores, and freshmen students. Non-commuter permits for first-year students will be very limited and sold separately through a randomized selection process. For parking permit purposes, all first-year students are considered freshmen regardless of credit hours earned. Zones in the core of campus are more expensive than intermediate and remote lots. No overnight parking is permitted in commuter areas. During regular school hours, permits are only valid in assigned zones (ex. core permits may only be used in core areas).

Students residing on University Campus in Residence Halls will be considered Non-Commuters. All others are Commuters. Students living in University Apartments not located on the Main Campus will be required to obtain a commuter parking permit if they desire to park on the University Campus.

Read also: Legacy of Fordham University

Any student who purchases a parking permit in August and leaves school during the school year prior to the beginning of the Spring Semester, may obtain a refund for the Spring Semester. Such request must be made no later than 15 days after the end of the Fall Semester. A student purchasing a Summer Semester permit but only using it for the first session may obtain a refund of one-half (1/2) the Summer Semester rate. The refund request must be made within 5 days from the first day of class for the second half of Summer Semester. PERMIT MUST BE RETURNED TO OBTAIN REFUND. EVENING PERMITS: Students who park in University lots during evening hours must purchase a parking permit and must purchase Temporary permits at cost of $5.00 per day. Specific EXPIRATION DATES are indicated on each parking permit. Students must be registered for classes to purchase a parking permit. Permits must be purchased online. Students purchasing accessible parking permits need to bring documentation to UT Parking Office at 2121 Stephenson Drive to process this transaction.

Free Public Transportation and Park & Ride

Students have free rides on Knoxville Area Transit buses starting Aug. 12. Faculty and staff also can ride for free, but only if they are going to or from campus. Students, faculty and staff need to present a VolCard to receive free rides.

UT also offers a park-and-ride pass for faculty, staff members and commuter students.

The Park and Ride lot is serviced by dedicated T bus shuttles, which will run every 10 minutes to bring permit holders to the campus transfer point at Gate 21 of Neyland Stadium. on weekdays. on weekends. Students needing to access their vehicle outside of those hours should call the T: Link for on-demand service. Information on requesting a T: Link is available online.

Regulations and Important Information

These regulations are subject to revision by the Traffic and Parking Authority. The university shall have no responsibility for loss or damage to any vehicle or its contents operated or parked on the Knoxville campus of The University of Tennessee.

Parking spaces will be allocated to the departments through the appropriate dean or director. Priority of assignment is up to each department; however, professional rank, seniority, job requirements or physical limitations should be prime considerations. Assignments will be made by the Parking and Transit Services Department in accordance with instructions from deans or directors. Assignments and permits extend from the time of issuance to the beginning of the following fall semester. Staff members will present to the Parking and Transit Services Department letters of authorization from deans or directors for area assignment. Parking lots for students will be designated by letter as shown on the parking map.

Orange Dots allow parking in unreserved staff areas only and must be accompanied by current parking permit. For departmental use only. Circle Park is not an unreserved Staff area. Orange Dots are designed to help departments conduct departmental business and should only be used for short periods to access alternate locations. Orange Dots may not be used on a regular basis to alter allocated parking assignments. Issued on letter of request and justification from appropriate Chief Administrative Officer of each major division. Allows parking in another unreserved area on campus (distance of 1/2 mile or greater) for those persons whose duties require movement. Issued on letter of request and justification from appropriate Chief Administrative Officer of each major division.

Temporary staff desiring to park on campus must purchase a permit for $5.00 per day or $30.00 per month and may choose the lesser rate. Authorization letter required. Temporary parking for student areas may be purchased at rate of $5.00 per day when space is available. Staff and students who have purchased a transferable parking permit but forget to place it in the vehicle they are driving to campus, may obtain a one day replacement permit at no charge. Parking permits for Sales and Service Representatives are available from the Parking and Transit Services Department at a cost of $170.00 (Annually), or $5.00 per day and permits parking in all unreserved staff areas while on University business ONLY.

Garage Parking

Unreserved parking 5 1/2 days per week at $56.50 per month. A $15.00 charge will be assessed for a lost or mutilated gate control card.

Level 1 (White Avenue Entrance) Public parking at the required gate fee of $1.00 per 30 minutes. Arrangements for conference parking can be made in advance with the Parking and Transit Services Department (974-6031). Conference rate is $5.00 per day. Level 1 Public Garage area of Volunteer Hall Garage is open 7:00am to 11:00pm, Monday thru Friday. Schedule may change due to special events, conferences, etc. Level 1 Public Garage area of Volunteer Hall Garage Overnight parking will not be allowed. Level 1 also has limited (G15) Staff Parking that is unreserved 5 1/2 days per week at $56.50 per month. A $15.00 charge will be assessed for a lost or mutilated gate control card. There is a $10.60 charge for a lost gate ticket. Levels 2-5 are Non-commuter parking (N17). Staff Parking at $56.50 per month is limited and provides parking on a first-come basis except during special events. A $15.00 charge will be assessed for a lost or mutilated gate control card.

Public parking is available on an hourly basis at the required gate fee of $1.00 the first half-hour and $1.00 for each additional half-hour. Arrangements for conference parking can be made in advance with the Parking and Transit Services Department (974-6031). Conference rate is $5.00 per day. Administrative Parking Garage (G3, G4 and G5). Neyland Dr.

Visitor Parking

Persons not connected with the University who occasionally have reasons to be on campus are considered visitors. Visitor parking is available in the Level 1 Area of the Volunteer Hall at the published rates and also at parking meters located on City of Knoxville streets. All parking in University lots is by permit only. Maps of campus and Visitor parking permits are available at 2121 Stephenson Drive or at the Information Center at the entrance to Circle Park. Visitor permits are available at the daily rate or appropriate fee for duration of visit. Visitors are required to secure and display a valid parking permit when parking in University lots. University Departments that invite visitors to campus should contact Parking and Transit Services to arrange visitor parking. Requests for special guest parking should be submitted to Parking and Transit Services as far in advance as possible.

First-Year Student Parking

UT is encouraging alternative forms of transportations such as walking and biking.

First-Year Residential/Non-Commuter Parking: Non-commuter parking is very limited. ET on Friday, May 16. First-year students were notified of the results from the randomized selection process on Tuesday, May 27. 800 students were selected to purchase a permit, while an additional 200 students were added to a waiting list. More information on getting around Knoxville without a personal vehicle can be found online.

First-Year Commuter Parking: First-year commuters will be the last group allowed to purchase parking permits and will likely only have access to remote or Park and Ride permits. Permit sales will open to first-year commuters in late July.

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