Carpool Permits

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Policy Number:
UW-6116
Old Policy Number:
TS-43 + 60
Responsible Office:
Transportation Services

University Policy

Rationale/​Purpose:

Carpools are an important alternative to single occupancy vehicles in UW–Madison parking lots and reduce the demand for parking. A carpool is two or more employees (who qualify for parking, including spouses) who drive together in one vehicle. A carpool with three or more members has a significant impact on lowering the demand for parking and may qualify for a carpool permit. All faculty, staff, students, and visitors are required to pay for parking a vehicle in a controlled parking facility on campus. 

Scope:

Faculty and staff of UW-Madison and employees of affiliated agencies, including UW Health/Hospital.

Policy:
  1. Faculty and staff who meet all eligibility and priority requirements for annual base lot assignments may apply for a carpool permit and/or register as a member of a carpool. Carpool permit offers will take priority over annual base lot assignments. Each year: 1) carpool registration must be submitted online for approval (for both annual permit carpools and carpool permits); and 2) an application for a permit must be submitted.
  2. Carpool permits are reserved for carpools with three or more members who meet the eligibility requirements for a campus carpool.
  3. Carpool permits will be issued on a first come, first served basis to approved carpools and do not go through the priority assignment process. One (1) carpool permit (hangtag) will be issued per carpool.
  4. One carpool member is assigned responsibility for the permit, including:
    1. Registering the carpool and (if applicable) applying for:
      1. [Two or more people] an annual (base lot, Flex, park and ride) permit OR
      2. [Three or more people] a carpool permit through the carpool form on the UW-Madison Transportation Services webpage.
    2. Purchasing and selecting a payment method for a permit: Options include payroll deduction, cash, check, or credit card.
    3. Returning the permit when the carpool is disbanded and/or parking is no longer needed.
    4. Notifying UW-Madison Transportation Services when a carpool member leaves and/or a new carpool member joins.
    5. Notifying UW-Madison Transportation Services of vehicle plate changes as carpool members cancel their assignment.
    6. Notifying UW-Madison Transportation Services when an existing carpool falls below the required three (3) member minimum. The carpool will have 30 days to register a new member before their carpool permit is canceled. Base lot/Flex/carpool permit holders with registered carpools are responsible for notifying UW-Madison Transportation Services when an existing registered carpool falls below the required two (2) member minimum.
  5. Each registered and approved member of the carpool may receive six (6) free temporary one-day permits for their assigned lot each parking year, for use on campus when the carpool’s permit is not available. Carpoolers registered for a carpool associated with a flex permit must pay for parking when using their six (6) temporary one-day permits.
  6. Carpool members are eligible to purchase an annual Flex, afternoon, moped, motorcycle, night, park and ride, remote lot, or flex permit.
  7. Eligibility Criteria
    1. UW-Madison Transportation Services uses the following criteria in determining carpool eligibility:
      1. The permit holder must be employed by UW–Madison or an affiliated agency. All carpool members must be employees of UW Madison or an affiliated agency. Students are not eligible as members of a carpool.
      2. Any member who is not the primary permit holder for the carpool must return all current base lot and business alternate permits before joining the carpool.
      3. Two (2) or more person carpools may be registered for a base lot, park and ride, or flex permit.
      4. The permit must be hung from the vehicle’s rearview mirror or displayed in a plastic pouch on the inside lower left-hand corner of the windshield. Remove all items from the mirror or window that block view of the permit. The entire permit must be visible when the vehicle is parked on campus.
  8. Restrictions
    1. Carpool members may not register under more than one carpool.
    2. Carpool permits are valid in permit stalls only.
    3. UW Accessible and business alternate permits will not be assigned to carpools.
    4. See additional information in UW-6112 (Parking Permit Terms & Conditions).
Related UW-Madison Policies:
Related UW–Madison Documents, Web Pages, or Other Resources:

Permit rates available on UW-Madison Transportation Services website

Policy Administration

Approval Authority:
Assistant Vice Chancellor of UW-Madison Transportation Services
Policy Manager:
Director of Parking Operations
Contact:
Assistant Director of Parking Services -- David Berland, david.berland@wisc.edu, (608) 263-6667
Effective Date:
05-01-2014
Revised Dates:

03-01-2003, 03-01-2004, 03-01-2005, 03-01-2006, 03-01-2010, 05-01-2011, 03-01-2013, 03-01-2018, 02-01-2019, 05-19-2022, 07-1-2025

Retrieved:
07-24-2025 06:25:39