FAQs
Need help from Car Parking Services? Hopefully our frequently asked questions (FAQs) will help.
Permit pricing changes 2024
Why is the price of permits increasing?
The current annual permit pricing model has four charging bands based on salary, with colleagues in higher bands paying more for parking than those in lower ones.
Day parking is charged at a flat rate and isn’t aligned to salary.
An interim car parking policy has been in place since the Covid-19 pandemic. While we await the recommendations of a long-term review, it has been necessary to update the policy and tariffs.
Why is it only increasing for colleagues on Spine Point 18 and up?
The University recognises that the cost of living can be challenging for everyone, depending on their personal circumstances. But it also wants to acknowledge that this is more likely to be the case for those on lower grades.
Why hasn’t the price of day permits increased?
Day parking is charged at a flat rate and isn’t aligned to grading. The price of day permits remains competitive, offering cheaper prices than commercial car parks.
A longer-term strategy for car parking has been mentioned. Can I feed into this?
A longer-term parking policy is in plan and will be designed in consultation with colleagues. The scope of this work is currently being finalised and will be communicated in due course.
Will the money generated by increased fees be invested?
All surplus from car parking is re-invested back into improving and maintaining campus facilities.
I only work X days on campus, can the permit price be charged pro-rata?
The cost of the permit is fixed regardless of how many days you work on campus. However, we do have pre-booked day parking that may be more suitable for you.
What are the new permit prices from 1 November 2024?
Please see table below for updated monthly permit prices (basic salary pro-rata, where applicable):
| Salary Spine Point* | 10-17* | 18-30* | 31-50* | 50+* |
| New permit fees (per month) |
£18 |
£32.50 |
£50 |
£62.50 |
* See the HR website for details of the salary scales
I work part time, what price would I pay for a permit?
For staff who are working part time, the cost of your permit will be based on your basic salary and how that aligns to the spine points.
Example: You are a grade 7 member of staff whose full time equivalent is spine point 33 at £40,521 and works 3 days a week (0.6 FTE).
Your basic salary would be £40,521 x 0.6 = £24,312.60
That would mean your actual salary falls between spine points 14-15 meaning you would pay £18 per month for your permit.
If your actual salary falls below £22,214 (spine point 10) you will pay £18 per month for the permit.
For those whose actual salary falls between spine points i.e. between 17 and 18, you will be aligned with the higher spine point. In this example you would be aligned to spine point 18.
Parking permit freeze
Why is day parking more expensive than a permit?
The day rate is measured against the nearest local parking options and gives flexibility to users.
I do not have a Blue Badge, but I need parking for medical reasons
Please speak with your line manager/HR representative who can discuss reasonable adjustments with you. This does not authorise parking in a Blue Badge bay.
I am due to go on maternity/study leave. What happens to my permit whilst I am off work?
If you are due to be off work for three months or more, your permit can be placed on hold. Please contact carparking@leeds.ac.uk
I cancelled my permit before the freeze due to maternity/sick leave, can I re-instate my permit?
If you cancelled due to maternity leave, medical reason or a sabbatical, please contact carparking@leeds.ac.uk
What will happen when my permit expires?
As more staff return to work on campus it is therefore timely to consider a revised, longer-term strategy and further information will be shared as available.
I have a permit but I cannot find a space to park.
We are unable to guarantee parking on campus. We encourage interim permits holders to check all available car parks for spaces on our interactive map.
How long is the waiting list?
We will be regularly monitoring the car parking situation across campus and will advise staff when a permit becomes available.
Why is there a waiting list for interim permits?
Owing to a significant increase in demand, it has been necessary for the University to temporarily pause the issuing of new car parking permits.
Blue Badge permit applications aren’t affected by this.
Colleagues applying for a permit will be placed on a waiting list and informed as soon as there is availability.
Can I park in bays marked CS in the multi-storey car park on campus?
Yes. These spaces, which were originally for those taking part in car sharing, are now available for general use.
My parking permit
Where is my permit valid for parking?
Staff ‘Interim Permits’ are valid for use in any coloured zone with the exception of the Green and Brown Zone car parks.
Blue Badge Permits are valid for use in any accessible parking bay on campus.
Booked visitor parking is valid for the Orange Zone only, unless otherwise arranged for a different car park via the Car Parking team.
I am a permit holder. Will I have to re-apply next year to renew?
Currently permits are renewed annually. If there is change to this automatic renewal process you will be contacted.
I am a retired member of staff but I am returning to the University on a part-time contract. Is it possible to retain my parking permit?
Retired staff who are re-engaged for more than 50 days per annum may opt to retain their car parking permits on payment of the appropriate fee. Such an entitlement must be supported in writing by the permit holder’s Head of Department. Without such support, parking permits will be withdrawn upon retirement.
I have a permit and work part-time. Will I receive a reduction in my parking fee for parking only a few days per week?
We have listened to staff feedback and have now adjusted the permit prices to take into account staff employed on a part-time basis. The price of a permit is based on your basic salary (pro-rata’d where applicable) rather than your grade. If your salary changes during the year your monthly payments will be automatically updated to reflect your new permit price (if applicable).
For more information, please see the current Pricing Schedule.
I have lost my barrier card/fob. Can I get a replacement?
Yes we can issue replacements on payment of the relevant cost. Barrier cards cost £5 and fobs cost £25. Please contact Car Parking.
What if I don’t wish to continue with my permit?
You can cancel your permit by contacting Car Parking. We will arrange to cancel your permit and cease deductions (where applicable). Please note, the minimum term a permit can be held is one month.
Where can I park if not on campus?
There are several city centre car parks nearby including the Woodhouse Lane multi-storey just 5 minutes’ walk away. For details please see the Leeds City Council website.
The University does however promote and support sustainable travel choices through the Travel Plan. These include using public transport, cycling and walking.
I am going on Maternity leave/sabbatical/long-term absence – can I put a hold on my parking permit?
No, you will need to cancel your parking permit and on return, you can reapply.
To cancel, contact Car Parking with your name, payroll number and details of your current permit.
We will not deduct money from your salary while you are absent from work. You should return your permit and barrier card (where appropriate) to the Facilities Directorate Building on Cloberry Street.
You will need to remember to tell us at least one month before you are due back so that we can re-activate your permit and payments.
Visitor parking
What if my visitor stays after 5pm?
The cost for parking for the working day is fixed at £7 which is required to be paid on exit and can be paid any time up till midnight. Additionally, once payment has been made on the first exit your visitor can return to park in the Orange Zone as they require up to midnight the same day without making further payment.
What if my visitor wants to arrive after 5pm?
The campus is open to the public for parking after 5pm on weekdays and all weekend. Vehicles can drive onto campus, park at the Woodhouse Lane multi-storey car park and must pay for parking at the payment machines.
Can minibuses and coaches park on campus?
There is a dedicated minibus parking area on Finsbury Road, however, space is limited. Vehicles up to 2.1m can park in the multi-storey car park.
We have one coach space on Western Campus that costs £10 per day. Please contact Car Parking to reserve it.
What if the system won’t accept my visitor booking?
The system will recognise whether there are enough spaces on campus. If the car park is already full, your visitor will be expected to park off campus. There are several city centre car parks nearby including the Woodhouse Lane multi-storey car park just 5 minutes’ walk away.
Are there dedicated parking facilities for Blue Badge holders?
Yes, there are a number of designated disabled bays located across the campus. Please see the map of campus for the locations of disabled parking bays including 20 disabled spaces in the Woodhouse Lane multi-storey car park.
Will delivery vehicles be issued with Parking Charge Notices?
All delivery vehicles will receive 40 minutes grace period in the Orange Zone only to allow them time to make their deliveries on campus.
Can I leave my car overnight?
We don’t encourage this for security reasons. Cars left overnight are left entirely at the owner’s risk.
Where can my visitor park if not on campus?
There are several city centre car parks nearby including the Woodhouse Lane multi-storey just 5 minutes’ walk away. For details please see the Leeds City Council website.
The University does, however, promote and support sustainable travel choices through the Travel Plan. These include public transport, cycling, and walking.
Student parking
I am a student, where can I park on campus?
There is no student parking on campus during core hours (7am-5pm on Monday to Friday).
However, free student parking is available on evenings (5pm-7am) and weekends. See our Student Parking page for more information.
For those students that hold a blue disability badge, parking during core hours is available with a Blue Badge permit. Please contact Car Parking for details on acquiring a blue badge permit.
Parking Charge Notices (PCN)
How does the Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) system work?
During core hours 7am-5pm Monday-Friday, the cameras capture the registration number of the vehicle and check if this is an authorised vehicle against a database of permit holders and authorised day parkers/visitors. If the vehicle is on the database, then no action is taken. If it is an unauthorised vehicle, a parking charge notice is issued to the keeper of the vehicle.
Outside of core hours 7am-5pm Monday-Friday, the system will check if the vehicle is on the authorised list of registered staff members and students, or, if they have paid for their parking at the pay stations. Unauthorised vehicles or those leaving without paying will be subject to enforcement action.
Will cameras enforce all the car parking zones?
Only the Orange Zone will be monitored by an ANPR system. The other zones will continue to be enforced using security foot patrols issuing enforcement notices to unauthorised vehicles. Please check the Car Parking Terms and Conditions for more details.
Is the University using a car parking contractor to manage enforcement?
The University is managing enforcement in-house and ensuring everyone using the campus car parks comply with the terms and conditions of parking. All staff are encouraged to read these to ensure they are not contravening the rules for parking.
Will delivery vehicles be issued with Parking Charge Notices (PCN)?
All delivery vehicles will receive 40 minutes grace period in the Orange Zone only to allow them time to make their deliveries on campus.
Contact Us
Can’t find what you’re looking for? For further queries relating to parking at the University of Leeds, please contact the Car Parking Team at carparking@leeds.ac.uk.
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