Parking FAQs

Parking charges apply 8:00hrs-17:00hrs, Monday – Friday (excluding bank holidays) during the peak demand periods of semester 1, semester 2, fieldwork, study and exam periods of each academic year . Outside of these times, most car parking is free of charge with the specific intention of facilitating participation of the wider community in after-hours activities on campus.
The only exceptions are premium rate hourly paid spaces which operate between the hours of 08:00 – 17:00, Monday – Friday 52 weeks a year and UCD Sports and Fitness car parking spaces which are reserved for members at all times.
UCD Car Parking Management Policy applies all year round.

Parking in a non-designated space causes a number of problems including obstruction of fire brigade and emergency vehicle access and exit routes, obstruction of access to fire hydrant locations, obstruction of fire-fighter’s access and hose runs, security, obstruction of universal access including for wheelchair users and visually impaired, disruption to deliveries, disruption of waste disposal, maintenance access, aesthetics, physical damage to landscaping and grounds / footpaths, Health and Safety risks due to obstructed vision and sight lines.

If you don’t have access to a mobile phone please contact us at commuting@ucd.ie so we can arrange an alternative process for you.

The UCD Parking Permit is only valid for the period stated when you apply for the permit and must be renewed prior to expiration.

Yes, UCD Parking Permits will not automatically renew. Please note any outstanding fines must be paid prior to renewal.

UCD Parking Permits cannot be used for payment when parking in hourly paid spaces during enforcement times. Payment should be made according to charges notified on local signage.

No. Permits are valid for only one vehicle at a time. Registered users may amend their registered vehicle details by logging onto their account via https://parkingpermit.ucd.ie. It is imperative that any changes of vehicle details are made before parking a car on campus.

It is the permit holders responsibility to ensure their vehicle registration number is correctly entered on the Parking Permit System

Car parks are designated permit parking or hourly paid parking. UCD Parking Permits are only valid for parking in car parks designated permit parking.

The one UCD Parking Permit covers both campuses.

Prior to parking on campus you must change the car registration number you have nominated on the UCD Parking Permit system. This can be done online by going to www.ucd.ie/parkingpermit and is free of charge.

No. A permit entitles the holder to search for a parking space, and to park in a vacant one, it does not guarantee the holder a parking space on campus.

All cars parked on University grounds are required to either be registered on the Parking Permit Service or to have a current P&D ticket or park by text registration. Any car found in breach of these requirements is subject to sanctions as posted on local signs or as set out in the UCD Car Parking Management Policy.

No, the permit is issued to the member of the UCD community and is not transferrable under any circumstances.

No.

All permits are based on the teaching term year and the start and end dates for the Permit are clearly stated at the point of purchase/acquisition.

Yes, payment can be made in two installments, one per semester. If the second payment is not made the permit lapses. Vehicles parking on campus without a valid permit will be subject to sanction.

Yes

No, UCD Parking Permits must be paid for during the online application process using a Visa/Mastercard credit or debit card.

Yes. If you have exceptional temporary or permanent mobility impairment please refer to the Your text to link…“>Disabled Car Parking content.

Current parking charges are:

• Visitor Hourly Paid Parking Areas €1.00 per hour (08:00 – 17:00 Monday – Friday 52 weeks a year)
• For Parking Permits see the UCD Guide to Parking on campus.
  

Hourly paid parking is available in the visitor pay and display parking areas. See local signs for tariff information.

Anyone, including students and staff, can pay hourly or daily at the P&D meters or using the text based parking service in the visitor pay and display car parks on campus.
UCD Parking Permits are not valid in paid parking areas.
Semester or academic year Permit fees are set out on the UCD Commuting website.

Yes. All users of the visitor parking areas must pay via the P&D meters or the park by sms service. Check local signage for tariffs, rules and restrictions.

There are a number of pay and display visitor parking areas on campus but with limited capacity.
Visitors may use the pay and display parking spaces where the charge is €1.00 per hour.
The premium occasional parking spaces may, subject to availability, also be used, the charge is €2.40 per hour.

These charges apply 08:00 – 17:00, Monday – Friday 52 weeks a year

Drivers leaving the campus, even on official University business, may have difficulty obtaining a parking space on return. Parking is strictly on a first come first served basis.
UCD strongly encourages the use of public transport where available. A “GO CAR” facility is also available on campus, please see https://ucdestates.ie/commuting/incentives/ for further information.

Hourly and Premium Pay parking is in place 08:00 – 17:00, Monday – Friday 52 weeks a year, excluding bank and public holidays. It is imperative to check local signage as pay parking may apply during events and on other occasions.
The premium occasional parking spaces may, subject to availability, also be used, the charge is €2.40 per hour. Pay parking in these areas operates 08:00 – 17:00, Monday – Friday, 52 weeks a year.

No, the holder of a current valid Disabled Parking Permit is permitted to park in any vacant disabled parking bay at no charge. Vehicles must display a current valid Disabled Parking Permit.

The University currently has over 100 spaces reserved for disabled parking. Please see map for further details. If you have a specific requirement please contact commuting@ucd.ie

Yes, if parked in a car parking space, no if parked in a designated motorcycle space.

Please follow the instructions on the enforcement notice attached to your vehicle. UCD Estate Services do not handle clamping complaints

Yes, should you have a grievance with the circumstances in which the clamp or fine was applied, please follow instructions on the enforcement notice.

The following rules are taken into consideration in the context of appeals lodged:
• Park only in marked parking spaces and entirely within the space as marked.
• Park only in the appropriate parking area – permits are only valid in Parking Permit parking areas.
• A Pay & Display ticket must be displayed if parked in the Pay & Display area or the car must be registered on the park by sms service.
• Do not park in a disabled parking bay without displaying a current valid disabled parking permit.

The following will not be considered as valid grounds for an appeal:
– Being late for work/lectures
– Inability to find a parking space
– Lack of knowledge of the system
– Disagreement with the principles of the system

Please follow the instructions enclosed with the enforcement notice attached to your vehicle

Please call the parking enforcement office on 0818 555 000. Details of NCPS are available at www.ncps.ie

Please call the parking enforcement office on 0818 555 000. Details of NCPS are available at www.ncps.ie

Contact your bank card provider at the number printed on your card.

Vehicles parked outside of a designated parking bay/area may block other cars in, obstruct a driver’s line of sight, cause an accident, impede an emergency vehicle’s path, or block pedestrian access. It is for the safety and consideration of others that cars must be parked only in designated bays/areas.

You will need to contact the Service provider, NCPS, via the details given on the notice.

Fines and / or clamps will be issued on behalf of UCD for parking, for example, outside of the designated car parks or parking areas, outside of marked parking bays, on circulation routes, on grassed areas, on or near yellow lines, in disabled bays without a valid disability permit, in taxi ranks, at bus stops and other areas not set aside for parking. Please check local signage for local restrictions.

Fines and or Clamps will also be issued to drivers who park in the University’s car parks without paying the applicable parking fee, correctly displaying a current valid P&D ticket or registering their vehicle details on the park by sms service.

Pay the fine within 28 days, late payments will attract additional fees to cover vehicle registration searches and legal costs.
Nominate another person who was driving the vehicle at the time.
Lodge an appeal with the enforcement contractor per the details on the enforcement notice if you believe you are not at fault.
Parking sanctions are not reviewable for matters such as you not seeing the signs, you didn’t know the meaning of the yellow line or other road rules, or you were running late for a lecture, meeting etc.

If you don’t take up any of the options outlined on the notice, and the fine remains outstanding you will not be eligible for future parking permits.
Remember, before you park always check that:
o you have parked lawfully,
o you comply with the conditions to park at that location, including time limits, parking bays etc.
o you pay any fees for parking
o you correctly display a P&D ticket or have accurately registered your car registration number correctly on the park by sms service when parked in an hourly paid car park.
By following these simple rules you will avoid any enforcement notices or clamps.

UCD used a third party to monitor and ensure parking compliance on campus. Contravention of the UCD Car Parking Management Policy may be sanctioned in a progressive manner as follows: Clamping may also be used for a 1st contravention, for cars not listed on the permit system
• 1st contravention – fine of €30 payable to the parking enforcement service. The fine will be increased to €40 if not paid within 21 days of issue
• 2nd contravention – clamp with a release fee €80 payable to the parking enforcement service, any outstanding fines must be paid at this time also.
In addition Vehicles may be clamped or towed if they are found to be interfering with the orderly flow of traffic on the campus, for example but not limited to:
• Obstructing other traffic
• Obstructing access or egress to buildings, structures, open spaces
• Parking on pedestrian footways, on or adjacent to pedestrian crossings etc.
• Parking other than in designated parking areas
• Parking other than in designated parking spaces
• Parking in bus stops, taxi ranks, loading bays etc.
Current Fees:
Clamp Release fee: €80.00
Towing Charge: €50.00
Storage Charge per day: €35.00 per day or part thereof

If fines are not paid it will not be possible to renew your UCD Parking Permit.

Please contact the parking enforcement service directly as notified by the notice left on your car.

Motorbike users have the option of a designated motorcycle parking area at the Library infill. Motorcycles parking in car bays must pay the appropriate rate for a car.

There is a cap (3,600 spaces) imposed by the National Transport Authority on the number of car parking spaces UCD can provide which cannot be exceed.

The creation of more on-grade car-parking might be seen as a quick, easy solution, but it will destroy much of the unique campus environment.

Hourly paid parking operates 52 weeks a year during the hours 8:00hrs-17:00hrs, Monday – Friday (excluding bank holidays). Outside of the period 08:00 – 17:00, Monday – Friday, permit car parks are free of charge with the specific intention of facilitating participation of the wider community in after-hours activities on campus.

Limited premium rate hourly paid spaces at a charge of €2.40 per hour are designed to ensure that short-term parking (1-2hrs) is available. They are marked as yellow spaces and are located:

• Beside the AIB Bank, Tierney car park (car park N4)
• Richview car park (car park R1)
• Roebuck Offices (car park O7)
• O’Reilly Hall/Veterinary Car Park (N2, top parking bay)
• Opposite Health Sciences alongside Student Centre car park (car park W6)

UCD strongly encourages all visitors to use public transport where possible.

This is a security measure for cash handling.

No, although presently Permits can be bought per semester.

No.

Ask them to use Public transport.
Direct them to the hourly paid car parks or Premium spaces. Please note these spaces are limited.

Yes or the cost is to be borne by the School/Cost Centre and is to use the same process as hosting a visitor.

Yes, once you are an eligible member of the campus community – email commuting@ucd.ie