UT Austin parking: which student permit do I need?
UT Austin parking for 2026–27 starts with C or C+ for daytime commuters, S for non-dorm students who need a garage, and R for eligible residence-hall students. UT Parking and Transportation Services lists C at $184 a year and C+ at $277; compare each permit’s lot or garage and overnight rules before you buy.
In this guide
Which option fits my day?
Start with where you live, when you need to park and whether the car stays overnight. A permit doesn’t always reserve a space.
Scroll the table to compare every column.
| Permit | Full-term price | Who or what it fits |
|---|---|---|
| C | $184 a year | Off-campus daytime commuter; space available |
| C+ | $277 a year | C access plus specified evening/weekend garages |
| N | $56 | Specified evening/weekend surface lots |
| N+ | $93 | Specified evening/weekend garages and surface lots |
| S | $883 a year; East Campus Garage $369 | Non-dorm student; one garage, with extra overnight-storage rules |
| R | $369–$1,058 for fall and spring | Eligible dorm resident; assigned garage |
| R, one semester | $245–$588 | Eligible dorm resident; check the garage |
| R, Nueces Garage | $143 a month | Eligible N24/Dobie resident |
Which parking do you need?
Do I need daytime commuter parking?
Compare C/C+ with an available S garage, then the trip to your classes. C is space available, so buying it doesn’t reserve a stall.
- Check C at $184 and C+ at $277 for the annual maximum prices.
- Compare S at $883, or $369 at East Campus Garage, and check availability.
- If the car stays overnight, check the storage option instead of relying on C.
Do I only need evenings and weekends?
N is $56 and N+ $93 for the full listed terms. N+ adds specified garage access with an end time.
- Match the lot or garage to your destination.
- Check the hours: N+ garages generally run 5 p.m.–4 a.m.
- Check excluded garages and event notices before leaving the car.
Do I live in a UT residence hall?
Check R for the garage assigned to your residence option. Fall-and-spring prices range from $369 to $1,058.
- Confirm which R garage your residence contract makes you eligible for.
- Choose the semester or fall-and-spring term you need.
- Read the waitlist, stall and event-entry rules.
Do I need to store my car overnight?
A C permit won’t cover continuous storage. Non-dorm residents should check S with its additional overnight fee.
- Check the purchased garage and storage conditions.
- Compare the complete storage charge with apartment parking.
- Make sure the agreement covers every night you need.
Am I only visiting campus?
Ordinary ticketed garage visits don’t require a student permit. The price depends on the garage, duration and event date.
- Check the tariff for the exact garage and length of stay.
- Read event rates and closures for that day.
- Use the posted rules for any street or surface space instead.
What does paying more buy?
C+ costs $93 more than C. N+ costs $37 more than N. Those differences buy the stated extra access, not a reserved space or unrestricted overnight parking.
Scroll the table to compare every column.
| Comparison | Extra cost |
|---|---|
| C+ instead of C, annual | $93 |
| N+ instead of N, full term | $37 |
| Standard S instead of East Campus Garage S, annual | $514 |
When does evening access end?
N surface access generally runs 5:45 p.m.–7:30 a.m. on weeknights and Friday 5:45 p.m.–Monday 7:30 a.m. Intramural Fields has a 4 p.m. start; Longhorn Lots still exclude 3–5 a.m.
N+ garages generally run 5 p.m.–4 a.m. on weeknights and Friday 5 p.m.–Monday 4 a.m. Conference Center, Health Center, Nueces and Rowling Hall garages are excluded. Check the exact lot or garage.
Can I leave my car there overnight?
C and Longhorn Lots exclude 3–5 a.m. A C permit is for coming to campus and leaving, not storing a car.
Non-dorm residents should check S with its overnight-storage fee. Dorm residents should check R. Compare the whole period you need, including weekends.
What changes on event days?
Your garage permit applies to the garage purchased and its stall rules. Read event emails and signs before leaving the car.
At Manor and Trinity, Moody Center staffing can block entry, usually starting 2–3 hours before the event. Cars already parked don’t have to move for those Moody events, but you may not be able to drive back in.
Does this include apartment parking?
No. Ask your apartment for its own parking price, term, access hours and whether the spot is assigned. A UT permit and an apartment space are different purchases.
Could I leave the car at home?
Compare the full parking agreement with walking and transit. Many CapMetro services are free with a valid physical UT photo ID, but check routes, service days and the last trip home.
What if I’m only visiting?
Ordinary visitors can use ticketed UT garages without buying a permit. Check the exact garage, duration and event rates before entering.
Scroll the table to compare every column.
| Visit | Most garages | Conference Center / Rowling Hall | East Campus | Health Center |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2½ hours | $9 | $9 | $5 | $5 |
| 6 hours | $17 | $18 | $7 | $8 |
| 10 hours | $18 | $21 | $7 | $9 |
Questions
Which permit can a commuter or dorm resident buy?
Start with C for an off-campus commute, S for a non-dorm garage option, or R for eligible dorm residents. Check the class-specific conditions and availability.
What is cheapest for evenings and weekends?
N is $56 and N+ $93 for the listed full terms. Match their locations and end times to your schedule.
Can I park overnight?
Check the exact permit and location. C/Longhorn Lots exclude 3–5 a.m.; S storage and dorm R options have their own rules.
Is apartment parking separate?
Yes. Each agreement gives access to its own space, for its own term.
What changes for football or Moody Center events?
Entry, parking locations and ordinary access can change. Read the event notice and posted signs, including Manor and Trinity re-entry restrictions.
Parking income supports a pooled system
UT’s 2026–27 parking budget assigns $28.236 million to operations, debt and other-account transfers. Debt service is about 27% of that pool. Your permit supports this combined operation.
Manor and Trinity permit holders can face event-time entry restrictions while an already parked car can stay; football relocation follows another policy. The parking-finance investigation follows garage approvals, budget transfers and the access conditions behind the price.
Current student permit prices and Moody access conditions · Research cutoff October 30, 2026.
How we got this
Prices and access rules come from UT Parking and Transportation’s 2026–27 pages, checked October 27, 2026. Student permit prices are maximums for their full stated terms and can be prorated later; a price doesn’t confirm an available space.
Visitor examples use the ordinary garage tariff. Event rates, lost tickets and closures can change the charge. The general and East Campus tariffs restart at midnight.
Sources and dates
- UT Parking and Transportation Services — Class C, hours and overnight alternatives2026-10-26
- parking.utexas.edu2026-10-26
- UT Catalog — student parking overview2026-10-26
- UT Off-Campus Living Resources — neighborhood descriptions2026-10-26
- PTS —2026–27 student prices and full-term prorating2026-10-27
- PTS — N/N+ hours and garage exclusions2026-10-27
- PTS — visitor parking and posted restrictions2026-10-27
- PTS — current permit renewal/purchase paths2026-10-27
- PTS — Moody Center garage disruptions2026-10-27
- PTS — CapMetro and valid-UT-ID service2026-10-27
- PTS — Class C+ eligibility and access2026-10-27
- PTS — garage duration tariffs and event exceptions2026-10-27