Parking and Transportation frequently asked questions

Yes, all parking spaces on campus require a valid permit or daily payment. You can purchase permits online at AIMS Parking Portal. 

Visit the AIMS Parking Portal to buy a permit online. If you need assistance, contact Parking and Transportation Services at parking@uidaho.edu or 208-885-6424. 

Your permit is valid in designated color-coded lots. Use the campus parking map to locate your assigned parking areas. 

Report lost permits immediately for a replacement.  

Short-term parking is available at metered and pay station locations. Free parking is available in Orange, Red and Blue lots after 5 p.m. on weekday, unless spaces are specifically marked. Free parking is available in most locations on weekends and during academic breaks. For specific availability during academic breaks, view the Summer Break Parking Map or the Fall, Winter & Spring Break Parking Map. 

Students can purchase:

• Commuter permits (for off-campus students).
• Residential permits (for on-campus housing residents).
• Disability permits (for eligible students).

Contact parking@uidaho.edu for assistance.   

Unopened parking permits can be returned for a full refund at any time. Annual permits may be returned for a prorated refund before May 1 of the year the permit was issued. 

Overnight parking is valid only with a residential permit. View the Campus Parking Map to view residential parking lots. 

Can I park overnight with a commuter permit?  

No, overnight parking requires a residential permit.  

You can apply for a temporary disability permit with supporting documentation. Some individuals might be eligible for a Short-Term Access permit. Contact Parking and Transportation Services for assistance. 

University employees are eligible for a variety of different permits. View options here.

Only Gold permit holders may park overnight. 

Gold permits are required year-round. Other permits follow the academic schedule. 

Yes, board-appointed employees may opt for payroll deduction when purchasing a permit. Deductions spread evenly over 1, 3, 9 or 16 pay periods are available.

If you’re having trouble logging into your parking account, there are a few steps you can take.

First, make sure you’re using your Network ID to log in rather than your VandalMail address. Your Network ID is the first part of your VandalMail address (E.g.: If your VandalMail is joevandal@vandals.uidaho.edu, then your Network ID is joevandal).

If that doesn’t work, take a closer look at your account using the resources on the OIT Account Management page. Your university account is required to log in to your parking account. When it comes to log in issues, the problem most often lies with DUO or the account password has expired and needs to be reset, which you can learn how to do on the How do I reset my forgotten account password (NetID)? support page. (If you’ve been logged into other university portals, your password may still be expired).

If the problem still persists, call our office during regular business hours.  

If you’re trying to apply for an emeritus Retiree permit, complete the Retiree permit application. 

We’re dedicated to ensuring all Vandals can get where they need to go here on campus, and all three types of disability parking permits can be purchased without a visit to our office. Supporting documentation can be scanned/photographed and emailed to us, and we will work with you over the phone or via email to get your campus mobility needs resolved.

In addition to Disability parking permits, we offer free Vandal Access Service that transports eligible Vandals wherever they need to go on campus for classes, work, meetings, studying, etc. at no cost.  

No worries, just give us a call: 208-885-6424.  

While our parking permit pricing is aligned with our peer institutions, an annual parking permit can be an unexpected and daunting purchase, if you’ve never bought one before. Here are several points to consider:

• Full-time, board-appointed U of I employees (staff and faculty) may pay for their parking permits via payroll deductions, spreading the cost out over several pay periods.
• For all-day access to color-coded parking lots on campus only when you need it, consider a 10-day parking permit. Save money and only pay for what you need.
• It’s always an option to skip bringing a personal vehicle to campus and instead rely on other transportation options that include walking, riding a bike or using free SMART Transit public buses.
• Parking meters and Pay-to-Park lots are not intended for daily visits for classes or work. Attempting to rely on them instead of purchasing an annual parking permit ends up costing way more in the long run. 

No problem. There are a lot of things going on! Here are a couple things that might help you decide:

• Most students living on campus don’t bring a personal vehicle. Unless you have an off-campus job/internship, participate in a sport that requires players to drive or can’t get home for break on a plane or bus, you can save a ton of money and stress by leaving your personal vehicle at home. Learn about Alternative Transportation options.
• If you would like to bring a vehicle and see how it goes, we encourage you to purchase your permit because many annual permits sell out during the academic year. If you realize you don’t need a permit after all, you can return it for a potential prorated refund. Check the pro-rated pricing schedule for more information on possible refunds. 

We can help. Give us a call at 208-885-6424, or email parking@uidaho.edu. 

A lost or stolen permit should be reported to the parking office as soon as possible. Complete the short lost or stolen permit form online and pay a $15 replacement fee to receive a replacement permit. If the permit is found after reporting it lost or stolen, it is imperative that the permit be returned to PTS. If the permit is used, the person using the permit can be fined $200 for using a lost/stolen permit. 

Annual parking permits may be returned throughout the year for a pro-rated refund based on the current permit refund schedule. Visit our office to return your permit.

Annual permits may be returned for a full refund at any time during the year if the request to refund the permit is received within 24 hours of purchase and the plastic packaging has not been opened.

Orange, Red and Blue permits returned prior to the first day of fall semester will be granted a full refund if plastic package has not been opened. If the permit package has been opened, refunds will not exceed the amount listed for the first week of classes, even if the refund takes place prior to the first week of classes.

Gold and Green permits will never be refunded at full price (unless refunded within 24 hours of purchase and plastic permit package has not been opened) since they are required year-round and are valid for immediate use at time of purchase.

Refunds of less than $20 are not available for any permit type. No refunds are available after May 1.

Visitors can purchase:

• Hourly parking at meters or pay stations
• Daily visitor permits ($4/day) online or at the Parking and Transportation Services office
• Map of pay-to-park locations 

Metered and pay-to-park lots are available across campus. View the metered parking map for locations and rates. 

Submit an Event Parking Request Form at least seven days in advance to ensure adequate parking arrangements. 

• General violations are enforced 365 days a year
• Permit zones are enforced 6 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday
• Meters and pay stations require payment year-round 

Citations must be paid or appealed within 15 days of issuance. Payment options are available online via the AIMS Parking Portal. 

What are my options if I don’t want to bring a car to campus?

• SMART Transit — Free fixed-route bus service around campus and Moscow
• Bike parking and racks — Located throughout campus
• Vandal Access — ADA paratransit service for eligible students and employees

Vandal Access provides free campus transportation for individuals with disabilities. Request rides in advance through Parking and Transportation Services. 

The Pit Crew provides free assistance, including:

• Jump-starts
• Vehicle unlocks
• Help with flat tires
• Gas can borrow
• Winter shovels and sand 

Service is available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. through 9:30 p.m. during academic semesters. 

For service between 8 a.m. through 4:30 p.m., call 208-885-6424 for assistance.

For service between 4:31 p.m. and 9 p.m., call 208-885-7054.