Living on campus and having a car at UCLA

Bmop · 06-01-2009, 05:01 AM

I was just looking at the parking application, and it looks like students living on campus must have an off-campus job to receive a parking permit. For those of us who don't fit that description, how possible is it to get a parking permit? The application says that people without off-campus jobs must appeal in person to receive a permit (specifically, it says people WITH ON-campus jobs must appeal, it doesn't say anything about people without jobs). What are the chances of that being successful? If I manage to find an off-campus job once I get to UCLA, will I be still be able to get a parking permit? Or will I have to wait until the next quarter begins?

If there's no way to get a permit without having an off-campus job, and I can't find a job once I get there, what are other alternatives? Are there many spots near campus that can be rented (i.e. in an apartment complex)? Are there long-term parking complexes nearby?

I was wondering why some students who are are guaranteed on-campus housing choose to live off-campus in an apartment instead - is this a big reason why?

Bmop · 06-01-2009, 05:25 AM

One more thing - Is it easier to park or get a permit if I have a motorcycle? I know some places give preference to motorcycles... I may be willing to risk death to get around on my own.
Thanks!

nodnarb · 06-01-2009, 03:00 PM

I'm pretty sure parking permits are given by a lottery. Having an off-campus job just really increases your chances of "winning" the lottery. So you can get a parking permit if you have an on-campus job (i have a friend at ucla who works on campus and has gotten a parking permit for his whole first year) you just wont have a great chance at "winning" the lottery. You can try to increase your chances by showing it would be a hardship or something like that...

kick53rv3 · 06-01-2009, 03:27 PM

why would you need a car when you are living on campus? there is no need for grocery shopping and everything is within walking distance

BoelterHall · 06-01-2009, 03:28 PM

Quote:

so you can get a parking permit if you have an on-campus job

limited to special positions

ucapplicant05 · 06-01-2009, 03:37 PM

A car for fun isn't gonna cut it, better luck finding people in apartments that don't need their space.

VTECaddict · 06-01-2009, 05:17 PM

motorcycle/moped does not require permits.

Inquiringmind2 · 06-01-2009, 05:28 PM

My daughter is a freshman living on campus. She does not have her car this year and although it would be nice to have occasionally she really does not need it. I knew parking permits were tough to get especially as freshman so I just assumed she wouldn't bring her car freshman year but would want to after that. Well, we both did very thorough research and found that regardless of year it is almost impossible to get a parking permit at UCLA. You must prove you have an off campus job that you must drive to (prove by showing pay chehk stubs, etc) or you have a family mamber that depends on you for transportation to chemo sessions or some other emergency. I know there are exceptions and some people will find a way to beat the system. But my daughter and her current dorm roommate decided to rent an off campus apt. for next year so that they both could be sure of having parking spaces. They will each pay $60 a month in addition to rent in order to have a space and their apt. is only one block further from campus than her current dorm.

So get a scooter/motorcycle or take your chances with a permit application but you chances with that are low. Sorry to be so negative but we were very surprised to find out that she would probably never be able to get a parking permit. I had hoped she could live on campus for another year.

braindead2400 · 06-01-2009, 06:39 PM

how do we visit parents on weekends if we don't have a car to drive home?

zzzboy · 06-01-2009, 07:14 PM

tell a regents scholar to get one and buy it off him.

VTECaddict · 06-01-2009, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by braindead2400

how do we visit parents on weekends if we don't have a car to drive home?

have them pick you up. or public transportation.

eric90 · 06-01-2009, 07:54 PM

Work for Parking Services and you'll be given the opportunity to buy a permit.

zzzboy · 06-01-2009, 08:33 PM

im telling you, just find a regents scholar that doesnt need the permit, have him buy one (regents get guaranteed parking), and pay him a little extra for it.

harleyquinn8 · 06-01-2009, 09:01 PM

if you are a regents scholar, i would NOT recommend trying to make some money by selling your permit. there HAVE been people that have gotten caught (don't ask me how, but UCLA parking is notorious for being stringent on the rules) and have had their entire scholarships taken away.

Inquiringmind2 · 06-01-2009, 11:28 PM

As far as going home on weekends...many people live far away and cannot go home on weekends. Most kids don't want to go home on weekends. My daughter only came home 4 times. Thanksgiving, Christmas, spring break and Mem. Day weekend for a cousins graduation. When she does come home she flies. She takes a super shuttle or fly away bus to LAX. Many people are on campus over the weekend so you really don't need to go home.