FAQs
This is the first time I am applying for a parking permit at the University - how do I apply?
When should I apply for my permit?
I am not on the University payroll, how do I obtain a permit?
I am working as a sessional lecturer, how do I calculate my parking permit cost?
Why are there fields for two vehicles on the online staff application form?
What happens once I have submitted the online application form?
Permit types
What should I do if I don't use my car every day - do I still have to pay the full price?
I work at Greenlands - how much will I pay?
I work part time - do I have to pay the full permit price?
I use a motor cycle do I pay the same as for a car?
I am disabled - do I have to pay for my permit?
Will I have to pay if I drop off a friend or a family member?
Is there any discount for car sharers?
What if I will not be at the University for a full year?
Payment
I have multiple job roles, how much will I pay?
I have more than one role on different grades, how much will I pay?
I am a casual member of staff, how much will I pay?
I am a retired member of staff and a member the SCR, how much do I pay?
I am a tenant, how much will I pay?
Use of University Car Parks
Will I be guaranteed a parking space once I have purchased the permit?
What if I can't find anywhere to park?
What are the current parking restrictions on campus?
Can I leave my vehicle in University car parks overnight?
What happens if I park incorrectly?
How much will it cost if I get a Parking Charge Notice
Use of alternative vehicles
I have recently bought a new car - do I need a new permit?
I have two vehicles which I use alternatively - do I need two permits?
I am currently using a hire car - what should I do about the permit?
I forgot to move my permit between cars, what should I do?
Leaving the University
What should I do if I no longer require the permit?
Lost or damaged permits
What should I do if I lose my permit?
If you have any questions which are not listed above, please contact campusparking@reading.ac.uk
Answers
This is the first time I am applying for a parking permit at the University - how do I apply?
You need to complete the VEP1 parking application form and email a signed copy to Campus Parking campusparking@reading.ac.uk . New members of staff should find a copy enclosed with their new starter pack from Human Resources. Copies of the form can be requested from Whiteknights House reception or downloaded from Staff Parking
When should I apply for a permit?
You can apply at any time during the year for your permit; however new student intake permits are processed between September and October, at which time delays may occur due to the number of permits being processed.
Renewals for staff permits are no longer necessary as payments are taken as a deduction from your net salary.
I am not on University payroll, how do I obtain a permit?
If you are an Associate of the University (working as if directly employed by the University but not paid via University Payroll) you will need a letter from your Line Manager confirming this status. Associate permits are £133.62 + VAT per annum, pro-rated to the length of your contract. If you are contracted to work for a short period, Car Parks 1A and 1 are Pay & Display car parks, costing £1.50 per hour, or £10 for all day parking.
See also the Visitors Parking FAQs
I am working as a sessional lecturer, how do I calculate my parking permit cost?
Sessional lecturers are charged as per grade equivalent, to calculate your grade please use the following formula: hourly rate x 35hrs x 52 weeks = annual salary. For information on University salary scales please see the Human Resources webpages.
If you are contracted to work less than 35 hours per week, you will be charged at 50% of the rate appropriate for your salary grade. Alternatively you may purchase up to 25 day permits per annum at £3.36 per permit via our online Parking shop:
Why are there fields for two vehicles on the staff application form?
If you have two vehicles that you may use you will be able to register both vehicles - you will receive one permit which allows you to bring one of these cars at a time onto the campus
What happens once I have submitted the application form?
Once the application form is submitted, you will receive a confirmation email stating when and where your permit can be collected. We process all staff applications on a 'first come, first served' basis and although we try to process the applications as soon as we receive them, the process may be delayed depending on how many applications we receive. If you don't hear from us within 5 working days, please email campusparking@reading.ac.uk to enquire about the progress of your application.
Once your permit is issued, the payment will be deducted from your salary in monthly instalments. If you are not salaried, the appropriate permit will be available from the online shop:
The University provides parking permits for staff which are charged based on grade, with payments taken monthly from salary, by deduction from your net salary. See the 'how much will I pay' section for details. All charges will be reviewed on an annual basis and further increases cannot be ruled out.
What should I do if I don't use my car every day - do I still have to pay the full price?
Staff who only need to park on campus occasionally will be able to purchase day permits charged at £3.36 per day. These permits will be available for purchase online via the e-commerce shop:
These permits are only available to current members of University staff, and excludes Campus Jobs workers, Associates, Contractors, Students, and STAY@Reading guests. There is also currently a car club on the campus which provides access to vehicles for those who don't have one with them, for a reasonable hire rate see:
I work at Greenlands - how much will I pay?
Staff permanently based at Greenlands will be charged at 50% of the Reading campuses rate due to limited public transport access.
I work part time - do I have to pay the full permit price?
The cost of a permit for part time staff will be calculated at 50% of the appropriate rate.
I use a motor cycle, do I pay the same as for a car?
No, motorcycle permits are 50% of the cost of a permit for a car. They are colour coded to differentiate them.
I am disabled - do I have to pay for my permit?
We offer free parking to staff members who are Blue Badge holders. You will be asked to present your Blue Badge upon the collection of your staff permit.
Will I have to pay if I drop off a friend or a family member?
No, we do have short term (up to 20 minutes) parking bays in front of Whiteknights House which can be used as a drop off point.
Is there any discount for car sharers?
For staff members regularly car sharing, a single permit may be purchased by one group member (the lead member), and two vehicles can be registered against one permit. The permit will need to be displayed in the vehicle parked on campus at all times. It will be the responsibility of the lead member to collect the shared fee from the other person. Find out more about the lift-share scheme on our .
What if I will not be at the University for a full year?
Parking payments are taken monthly from salary and staff will only be charged for the permit while being paid by the University. You should apply for a permit as normal and payments will cease when you are no longer paid by the University. Permits which are no longer required must be returned to Whiteknights House Reception or Palmer Reception before the employee leaves the University.
The cost of annual staff parking permits will vary according to salary grade, and will be as follows from 1st August 2023:
Whiteknights and London Road campuses:
Grades 1-3 £53.04 p.a
Grades 4-5 £106.08 p.a
Grades 6-8 £132.60 p.a
Grade 9 and Professorial £212.16 p.a
Blue Badge Holders Free
50% discount on the above for staff based at Greenlands
50% discount on the above for part time staff.
All charges will be reviewed on an annual basis and further increases cannot be ruled out.
I have multiple job roles, how much will I pay?
Staff, whose various roles add up to 1 FTE (full time equivalent) or more, will need to pay the full time permit price. If it is less than 1 FTE the 50% part time discount will apply.
I have more than one role on different grades, how much will I pay?
Staff, whose various roles are paid at different pay Grades, will pay the price for the Grade which takes up the greatest FTE. If a member of staff has two roles at the same FTE, the lower grade will be used to calculate the permit price. For example two part time roles at the university that are both 0.4 FTE, one at Grade 3 and one at Grade 4; the staff member will pay the rate for Grade 3.
I am a casual member of staff, how much will I pay?
Casual staff cannot apply for a parking permit but should ask the staff member responsible for their employment to contact Campus Parking at campusparking@reading.ac.uk
I am a retired member of staff and a member the SCR, how much do I pay?
Retired members of staff who are also members of the Staff Common Room, will be charged the minimum rate for full-time staff (£53 p.a.) if they wish to obtain a permit to park on campus. Please note, you must not be either a full or part-time members of staff.
I am a tenant, how much will I pay?
Please refer to your lease.
I work for the University, but I don't get paid via University Payroll - what do I need to do to obtain the permit and how will I be charged?
Please complete the online form here, and attach a letter from your Line Manager confirming the dates of your employment. The current Associate Permit cost is £133.62 + VAT per annum (pro rata if you are contracted to work less than a year) and is payable online.
Use of University Car Parks
Will I be guaranteed a parking space once I have purchased the permit?
Parking continues to be provided on a first come first served basis and the purchase of a parking permit does not guarantee a parking space.
What if I can't find anywhere to park?
You can contact Security to ask for advice on parking availability on campus. If you are advised that no spaces are available, you will need to find alternative parking.
What are the current parking restrictions on campus?
The campus car parks are policed Monday to Friday, 8am to 5 pm. You will need to display valid parking permit during that period.
Can I leave my vehicle in University car parks overnight?
We recommend that you do not leave your vehicle on campus overnight due to security reasons.
What happens if I park incorrectly?
As per the University parking regulations, vehicles must not be parked illegally. You also should avoid parking on playing fields, lawns, grass verges and flower beds. Should you park your vehicle incorrectly, you may be issued with a parking charge notice.
How much will it cost if I get a Parking Charge Notice?
Vehicles parked illegally and/or not displaying a valid parking permit will receive a parking charge notice of £75. TPS monitor parking, so that those who have paid to park are not disadvantaged by others parking without a permit
TPS monitor parking, so that those who have paid to park are not disadvantaged by others parking without a permit.
Using alternative vehicles
I have recently bought a new car - do I need a new permit?
You can register your new vehicle with us via the online application and continue using your current permit by transferring it for display in the new vehicle.
I have two vehicles which I use alternatively - do I need two permits?
No, as long as your second vehicle is registered with us you can use your permit for both cars. Please remember to swap the permit between cars to ensure that you always display a valid University parking permit.
I am currently using a hire car - what should I do about the permit?
You should move the permit from your vehicle and place it in the hire car - please inform us that you are bringing a different vehicle on campus by emailing campusparking@reading.ac.uk
.Alternatively you will be able to purchase a day permit online at a cost of £3.36 from .
I forgot to move my permit between cars, what should I do?
A valid parking permit should be displayed at all times as per the Parking regulation. If you forgot to move your permit, you can purchase a temporary day permit at a cost of £3.36 from
Leaving the University
What should I do if I no longer require the permit?
In the event that you no longer require the permit you must return it to Whiteknights House reception or Palmer reception. Your payments will be stopped from the next available payroll run.
Lost or damaged permits
What should I do if I lose my permit?
Lost or damaged permits can be replaced for a £10 administration fee. In the case of proven theft of a vehicle no charge will be made. Payment can be made by following the link:
If you have any questions which are not answered above, please contact campusparking@reading.ac.uk
For queries relating to car parking, please contact Campus Parking by e-mail.
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E-mail:campusparking@reading.ac.uk
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Telephone: +44 (0)118 378 7307